Jack Crowley has "credit" in the bank, says Andy Farrell, who is confident that Munster's current troubles won't impact on the out-half's performance with Ireland.
For the eighth game running, Farrell has selected 24-year-old Crowley to start at 10 for Friday's Autumn Nations Series clash against New Zealand at Aviva Stadium (8.10pm).
That streak, every game since Johnny Sexton retired at the end of the World Cup last October, consists of five wins from seven games, and includes a Six Nations title and a series draw with South Africa.
He hasn't looked out of place replacing the former Ireland skipper, who won 124 Test caps.
However, Crowley is part of a Munster set-up that has just lost four of six URC games and are on the look-out for a new head coach after Graham Rowntree departed the 2023 champions.
Leinster out-half Ciarán Frawley, who scored two late dropgoals in the win over the Springboks, is named on the bench for Friday's game and Farrell pointed to Crowley's performances last season for his decision to stick.
"There's a bit of credit there, isn’t there, with Jack," said Farrell.
"Like a few players, not just at Munster but at other provinces where I’m sure form is something they’d like to be pushing a bit further, etc.
"But, I suppose when they come into camp there’s a new start and we judge them on being able to perform in front of each other and Jack’s been great as far as that’s concerned.
"Having said that, the competition in that position and in others is where you’d want it to be and where we want it developing as it should do."
Farrell also spoke about the influence of Sexton on new captain Caelan Doris, who was brought on board as a mentor for the out-halves initially, but given free rein to help wherever and whoever he can.
"Johnny comes in if and when suits in or around his busy schedule at work and his presence around the group whenever he does come in is there for everyone to use," added Farrell, who goes on Lions head coach duty after November.
"Him having a good rugby man who is obsessed with his rugby in himself, it’s nice to have somebody like him to bounce a few stories off.
"Certainly I’m sure Caelan amongst others is having a quiet word every now and again."
Sexton recently released his autobiography, Obsessed, in which he detailed a confrontation with New Zealand centre Rieko Ioane (below) immediately after the final whistle of last year's quarter-final loss.
While the former world player of the year won't be present on Friday, Farrell indicated that he welcomed any extra edge that comes into play in the fixture.
"Hopefully. That's what everyone wants, isn't it?" he said.
"[New Zealand] want it as well. That's what normally happens when the All Blacks come into town anyway.
"I haven't seen it any different to that so I think Irish rugby's in a good place. I think everyone knows New Zealand are always the team to beat so I expect it to be as good as ever, if not better."
While many of the Irish players have spoken about still having the pain of that defeat in their system, Farrell insists tomorrow's game is not about revenge.
"No, it's not," he said. "That's the truth.
"Do you know that when you're playing against one of the best teams in the world? I mean everyone knows that's the truth.
"So, we want to constantly be up there competing with the best so if that's not motivation within itself... I mean playing against the All Blacks has always brought that edge to any type of game. This is a top level Test match that everybody wants to be involved in.
"So, revenge a year ago... there's been a lot of rugby played. A lot of water that's gone under the bridge as well. It doesn't even play a bit in it for us anyway."
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