Despite enjoying the best year of his career, and one that included many highlights - he played a big role in Ireland's defeat of France during their Grand Slam run, he kicked the difficult winning points against Australia in the Autumn, and lead Leinster to a Champions Cup final - Ross Byrne still has his fair share of doubters.
The flashier Jack Crowley, with his quick feet and threat to the line, is the man who many feel should be back-up to Johnny Sexton at the World Cup.
And, in fairness, his performance in the URC final was top drawer and certainly enough to raise questions of Ireland's out-half pecking order.
One such man who is convinced that Crowley should be second choice is Stuart Barnes, with the ex-England no. 10 discussing the 'limitations of Ross Byrne' on The Times' The Ruck podcast:
I think the Ireland issue is very interesting.... I felt that we saw the limitations of Ross Byrne against England in the Grand Slam game.
He's been asked basically to be a no-frills Johnny Sexton. They're trying to make sure that the Irish system isn't broken, but he doesn't, I don't think, have the capacity under pressure to do that.
On the harsher side from Barnes, particularly considering that Byrne only played seven minutes against England.
Stuart Barnes Does Not Back Ross Byrne For Ireland
1 August 2023; Ross Byrne during Ireland rugby squad training at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
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Barnes also spoke positively on Jack Crowley, and while he was unable to pronounce his name properly, he reckons he should get the nod when Ireland play England this Saturday.
"And I think if he is Ireland's fly-half in the big games there's a very big weakness," continued Barnes.
"Sexton's fitness now becomes overwhelmingly important.
"I must say that I think Andy Farrell's done a magnificent job in Ireland, but I've seen so much of Crawley [Crowley], I know that it's quite early, but I'd have just said 'hey, it's England at home, they're a poor team'... lets just play Crawley [Crowley] in that match and give him another 60/70 minutes.
"It's not as if they are playing a strong team."
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