I'd stick with Crowley for Australia game - Murray

Crowley has started back-to-back games for Ireland this autumn

Former scrum-half Conor Murray said Andy Farrell should stick with Jack Crowley at 10 for Ireland's game against Australia next week.

Crowley scored Ireland's opening try and kicked seven points as the hosts beat Japan 41-10 in Dublin.

Sam Prendergast enjoyed an impressive cameo off the bench at the Aviva Stadium to give Farrell plenty of food for thought but, speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social, Murray said if he was choosing, he would stick with the Munster man.

"I was keeping a close eye on it today. Jack played really well while he was on the pitch and then Sam came on and sprinkled a bit of magic and kicked really well," he told Gavin Andrews.

"I would still stick with Jack because he has earned it and played really well. Sam came on and played well too, so it's a really good problem to have.

"Coming on to a pitch when the game is a bit looser, Sam did great in that environment, but I still think Japan needed wearing down and Jack did that and for the try he scored, it was really good work-rate from him to go on the blind side of Caelan [Doris] and under the sticks."

Stockdale could fill in at full-back

Stockdale picked up a yellow card and had a try chalked off by the TMO against Japan

Ireland may have another selection dilemma at full-back after Jamie Osborne went off with a shoulder injury which Farrell said "didn't look good".

They are already without first-choice full-back Hugo Keenan through injury but Murray believes Ireland have a number of versatile players who could fill in at 15 when Joe Schmidt's side come to Dublin on Saturday, 15 November.

"Full-back is interesting, with Jamie picking up an injury. Do you keep a left-footed option in Jacob [Stockdale]?," Murray added.

"I thought he was really good today, you could see a real hunger in him to get another chance in a green jersey," Murray added.

"I wouldn't see a problem with it [starting Stockdale at full-back], Jimmy O'Brien has a shout and people aren't talking about Ciaran Frawley, who can play there too. He has a really good rugby brain so there are a host of options, which is really good."

Jack Conan was one of a number of replacements that helped Ireland to a comfortable win after a slow start.

He started all three Tests for the British & Irish Lions in the summer but Murray would not be tempted to find a way to fit him and captain Caelan Doris into the same team because of Conan's ability to have an impact off the bench.

"Jack offers so much off the bench," Murray said.

"You don't necessarily need them [Conan and Doris] both on the pitch at the same time.

"If you did, they are two unbelievable assets and why not? But if you do it depends how you balance it out."