I think Crowley starts against England – Murray

Former Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray believes Jack Crowley should start Ireland’s Six Nations trip to face England at Twickenham next Saturday (14:10 GMT).

After his introduction in the 56th minute in Saturday’s 20-13 win over Italy, Crowley converted Rob Baloucoune’s try and added a crucial penalty later in the game.

Sam Prendergast, who who formed a starting half-back pairing with Craig Casey, was off target with two conversions and Murray feels head coach Andy Farrell may seek a change in that area, with Crowley and Jamison Gibson-Park a viable option against England.

“I think you do, don’t you?” Murray told the Ireland Rugby Social podcast.

“I think Crowley starts the next game because he did so well when he came on.

“I don’t think Jack’s stats are where he has had them before, but he came on and kicked two kicks. I know one of them was very easy and you could argue that Sam’s [Prendergast] kicks were gettable as well.

For the second week, Ireland have questions to answer despite claiming an opening win in the competition and former international Mike McCarthy admits it was a “stressful finish” in Dublin.

The 19-cap forward felt a huge cause for concern was the Ireland scrum which came under pressure from the Italians and is one area which requires work before the trip to face an England side who will also have a point to prove following their Calcutta Cup defeat by Scotland.

“Ireland just got over the edge at the end, but the last five or 10 minutes was incredibly tense and for me, the big concern going into next week’s game against England is the scrum,” McCarthy said.

“Tadhg Furlong going up in the air, Dan Sheehan going up in the air and next week England will be licking their lips at scrum time.

Meanwhile, Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey said there is “more to come” from fellow Ulster players Cormac Izuchukwu and man of the match Baloucoune.

After a humbling 36-14 defeat by France in their opening fixture, Ireland bounced back to defeat a much-improved Italy side.

Jamie Osborne, Jack Conan and Six Nations debutant Baloucoune crossed the white line for Farrell’s side, who thwarted a late flurry of chances to deny Italy a late leveller.

“He [Rob] is class and I think he has shown how good he has been when he has played this year. For Ulster, he has been world-class when he has been fit. You could say that about the last four or five years,” McCloskey told the Ireland Rugby Social podcast.

“He is electric, he scores tries that other people can’t and takes balls in the air that other people can’t take.