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Jack Crowley has had to play in the shadows of Sam Prendergast in this Guinness Six Nations championship, but a hefty offer from the Leicester Tigers has now put the out-half in a healthy bargaining position with the IRFU.

Reports emerged on Tuesday afternoon that the Munster 10 is being courted by the Premiership side, who are ready to spend big as they scramble to replace Handre Pollard, who is returning to South Africa this summer. A figure of just over €700,000 (£600,000) per year has been floated in the English press.

The 25-year-old is into the final months of his current deal with Munster, which he signed in 2023, and is a nailed-on starter for his province. However his Test status has been the focus of constant debate in recent months following the promotion of Sam Prendergast to the starting 10 shirt for Ireland.

Prendergast has started all four games for Ireland in this Six Nations, and played the full 80 minutes in three of those, with Crowley making substitute appearances at full-back and centre in the wins over Scotland, Wales and the defeat to France. The 22 minutes he's played at out-half in this championship came in the opener against England, where he was key to Ireland powering their way to a 27-22 win.

If there are frustrations on his part that he hasn’t been fully valued by the IRFU, this Leicester offer is sure to test his will, and it would likely take a strong central contract from Irish rugby to keep him.

It’s put the IRFU into an uncomfortable situation, albeit one that they have played a big role in putting themselves in.

As it stands, 14 players will be on central contracts with the union next season, with 11 of those based at Leinster; Connacht pair Mack Hansen and Bundee Aki, and Munster’s Tadhg