Head coach Andy Farrell issued an impassioned plea for "keyboard warriors to cop on and try to help" Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley amid a "damaging" narrative about Ireland's fly-half situation.

Crowley played every minute of Ireland's triumphant 2024 Six Nations campaign and Prendergast has started all but one of the seven championship games since.

Prendergast struggled in Ireland's win over Italy in Dublin on Saturday before being replaced by Crowley, whose high-tempo display leaves Farrell with another selection headache before facing England.

Farrell said: "Do you know what, I might be talking out of school here, but in my opinion for what's gone on over the last year or something, especially with the keyboard warriors, I think people need to ask themselves, really, sometimes, 'Are we Irish? Do we want people to do well or not?'

"Because it can be tough for these kids like, you know? It can be tough for these kids. I've seen it, to-ing and fro-ing with both of them, and both of them are strong characters.

"It takes a lot to break kids like that. But I've seen it affect people, you know. So the keyboard warriors on Twitter or whatever you call it now need to cop on and try and help these kids."

He added: "It's damaging, you know."

Farrell praised Crowley's performance off the bench after the 26-year-old helped steer Ireland to victory against an impressive Italy side who led at half-time only to be denied their first Six Nations win in Dublin.

However, Crowley's day ended in frustration when he kicked the ball dead as Ireland chased a last-gasp bonus-point try.

"He's gutted about the kick into the corner obviously but he did a lot more than that for us," added Farrell.

"He did a lot more good for us than harm and he can be proud of his performance today."

On Prendergast, who missed two conversion attempts, Farrell said: "He'd be frustrated with bits.

"Down the line, these two lads, and others, they will be the players that they want to be. Everyone goes through these types of scenarios."

Prendergast made his Ireland debut aged 21 in November 2024 but he and Crowley were overlooked by Farrell for last year's British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

However, when asked if he feels he thrust the Leinster player into the unforgiving rigours of Test rugby too early in his career, Farrell said: "No, I've no problem at all. He was playing outstanding rugby and he will continue to do that."

While he would have hoped for a more assertive display from Prendergast, there were positives for Farrell to take into Saturday's match against England.

Robert Baloucoune marked his Six Nations debut with a decisive try and Stuart McCloskey notched two try assists in another all-action display in midfield, while Farrell described James Lowe's performance as "outstanding" after being dropped for the France defeat.

But Ireland will be wary of a strong response from England, whose early-tournament momentum was punctured by a resurgent Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

"You could say we have nothing to lose, but we do. We want to win. We want to play better," said Farrell, speaking before full-time in the Scotland v England game.