Six Nations 2026: Jack Crawley remains in attendance after reclaiming Irish fly-half position

The online controversy surrounding Crawley and Prendergast prompted Farrell to issue an impassioned plea for “keyboard warriors” to “take control” after Italy’s win.

This has been an ongoing talking point since the 21-year-old Prendergast was promoted to the starting lineup for the 2024 autumn internationals. This playing Leinster and the other Munster only served to fan the flames.

After having his own battle for the shirt with Ronan O’Gara, Johnny Sexton – now Ireland’s assistant coach – revealed last year that he had asked Crawley and Prendergast to delete their social media accounts.

But while online comments clearly angered Farrell a few weeks ago, Crawley appeared unfazed when the topic was raised before the Wales match.

“that it [easy] “If you just put it down, don’t deal with it,” he said.

“It’s like anything. You have a choice and you can choose not to participate. You can choose to participate. And it’s just like creating good habits day in and day out. As with nutrition or diet or training performance, you make a choice and you stick with it.”

Comments on social media are one thing, but Crawley realizes that the atmosphere during matches can affect players too.

Against England, ironically his opposite number George Ford was applauded as he found his touch after missing two previous attempts.

“I think anticipating situations where you might be under pressure, whether that’s during play or whether that’s through your individual approach,” he said when asked about how to deal with a hostile environment.

“For us, it might be a kick, but for line pitchers, it might be the pressure they might be under in hostile environments. So during the week, just getting a feel for what it might be like to be under a little bit of pressure.”

“Breathing works for me, a lot of breathing works, bring it back to what is under your control and I think having good technique should be powerful no matter the situation.”