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Current and ex-Ireland stars leap to Sam Prendergast's defence after French flop
By Ian Cameron at Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Current and former Ireland players have leapt to Sam Prendergast’s defence following Ireland’s disappointing loss to France.
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The young playmaker struggled under intense pressure from the French, conceding a costly interception try that sealed Ireland’s fate at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland captain Caelan Doris defended his teammate when queried about his tough day at the office at the post-match press conference: “Sam has had a great campaign. He showed moments of what he’s capable of today. We’ve got to get better, we’ve got to learn from it.”
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The No.8 consoled the 21-year-old rookie after he threw a intercept pass that saw France go the lenght of the pitch to score in the final stages, saying he gave him “a pat on the back” after the costly error.
“I think there were five minutes left, at that stage. We just spoke about finishing strong and showing what we could do in those last five minutes. We’ve come through some tight games in the last couple of seasons, and all of the things that have happened in the last couple of years, I think we’ve come through some tight games.”
Former Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions’ fullback Rob Kearney also offered a defence for young standoff on Virgin Media Sport’s coverage of the game on Irish television: “There’s always going to be questions marks over the No.10. Today was always going to be a big day for Sam. Did he have his best game? No. Was he alone in not playing his best game in an Ireland jersey? No.”
Kearney suggested Ireland attacking problems lay elsewhere and not soley on the shoulders of Prendergast.
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“The reason Ireland’s attack didn’t work today…if you can’t break the gainline, your ruck ball is slow. And, when your ruck ball is slow, it gives the opposition time and space to get set and organise. When we watch the French tries…the Irish had no time to get set and organised. They’re sort of jumping left-and-right.
“It all starts with the carry. If you don’t win the collision and get quick ruck ball as a number 10, it doesn’t matter who you have playing number 10, it’s hard to get any sort of attacking shape.”
Although social media was brutal in it’s take on Prendergast, there were some pockets of defence. Popular X account Overthehillprop offered a back-handed defence of sorts for the youngster: “I’m not buying Prendergast has been terrible. He’s playing the exact same as he has all tournament – he’s poor defensively, his primary thought is to kick the ball and Ireland going all in on him has weakened our attack overall. That’s not Prendergasts [sic] fault. That’s on Farrell.”
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When your forwards are getting crunched there is only so much you can do at 10. Needs to improve his defence which is easily remedied, he’s a test match 10 - end of story.
Like Dupont, this guy is a victim of pundit overhyping.
He’s a prospect. Very talented, with all the requisite building blocks, but still a prospect. It’s not that difficult for a 10 to look great behind a dominant pack, while being serviced by the world’s #2 scrum half. It’s much harder to look great, when your pack is getting bullied across the park.
But I’m sure, he will respond well. He’s got that mental resilience, that can’t be coached. He blew a relatively easy kick, but then he nailed that penalty from the half-way line. That’s the fighting spirit, the teflon skin. He didn’t get crushed. He’ll be alright.
Totally. Every test level career is on the job training.
He’ll learn plenty from it.
I've noticed none mention that Crowley's hooked conversion attempt at Twickenham last year, cost us back-to-back grand slams.
Prendergast is still the first choice on form.
It's only Irish fans who are pitching their own fly havles at war with each other.
Agreed. The bloke's still a kid and he has more upside than any of the others. With most of the team either past or before their peak in 2027 it's better to prioritise youth ahead of URC level players.
I noticed the only people who support Sam prendergrast are Leinster players he is like a lot of Leinster players they are good but not good enough and the irfu needs to stop rewarding these players they also have to stop giving players contracts when they are clearly past it ie furlong Henderson henshaw aki Ryan and more
Well, this is a clueless comment, followed by more clueless comments. Ryan has been superb lately, henshaw is still very good. And I don't know one Leinster supporter who said Byrne was the next big thing. He is generally derided by Leinster fans.
Not a Leinster fan, not Ireland fan, either. Crowley is fine, and he’ll be around the squad for years to come, but Prendergast has the higher ceiling of the two, and has that big game mentality. He can shake off setbacks and doesn’t get rattled.
Ireland fans should be happy to have two young fly halves, who are international grade. Instead, they wage petty regional skirmishes.