Ex-Ireland star issues stark warning to Sam Prendergast in scathing review of Champions Cup exit
Sam Prendergast making a tackle against Northampton in the Champions Cup
Former Ireland international Shane Horgan believes Sam Prendergast needs to fix up his defensive exploits sooner rather than later if he hopes to keep his place for both Leinster and Ireland.
The 22-year-old fly-half’s defensive issues were put under the spotlight in Leinster’s 37-34 defeat to Northampton Saints in the Champions Cup semi-final, missing two key tackles which led to tries for Tommy Freeman and Henry Pollock.
Shane Horgan blasts Sam Prendergast’s defensive issues
Those crucial tackles eventually came back to haunt his side, but across the match, the fly-half posted a completion rate of 55% – missing five of his 11 tackle attempts.
This is also the latest in a line of defensive errors from the fly-half, who has leapfrogged himself into British and Irish Lions contention this year, but Horgan feels his days could be numbered if he cannot fix this side of his game.
“It was a very poor tackle from Prendergast (on Henry Pollock in the build-up to his try). It looked as though his body shape was wrong (to make the tackle),” he told The Second Captains Podcast.
“It’s clear now that it’s an issue. He’s not physical enough, he’s not putting his shoulder into it the way he should.”
Horgan added: “There’s a technique issue but you also need a recklessness with your own body. You need it and he doesn’t appear to have it yet. Whether or not that’s something you can develop, I’m not sure, or whether you fall back on absolutely perfect technique.
“But he has to have both of those things because his technique is bad and it looks like his appetite for physicality is bad as well.”
“This is not 20 years ago or 30 years ago where you can carry someone at 10 who can’t be physical. It can’t be done. It was a major issue for Leinster, it showed up.”
“He needs to address his physicality, or else you’re probably not going to be able to pick him at the very highest level if he doesn’t address it.”
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Despite pointing out his defensive issues, Horgan also highlighted some of the attacking work of the young half-back.
“There were times during the game where I was watching [Prendergast] and going, ‘Oh my god, this guy is a dream.’ I love his distribution, the way he’s picking his passes, his kicks were really good.”
Prendergast is a leading contender to make Andy Farrell’s touring party, which gets announced on Thursday, May 8.
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