Leinster coach gives candid view on working with Sam Prendergast who is ‘maturing beyond his years’

David Skippers
Sam Prendergast Leinster 2024 - Alamy

Leinster and Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast.

Leinster backline coach Tyler Bleyendaal is set to play a crucial role in the development of the Irish province’s highly rated young playmaker Sam Prendergast.

Former New Zealand U20 and Munster fly-half Bleyendaal joined Leinster’s backroom staff at the start of the 2024/25 season as a replacement for Andrew Goodman, who is now part of Ireland’s coaching set-up.

Fine form rewarded with Test debut

Prendergast has impressed since making his Leinster debut two years ago and his fine form was rewarded with his Test bow for Ireland during the recent Autumn Nations Series.

The 21-year-old came on as a replacement in Ireland’s narrow victory over Argentina before starting in their triumphs over Fiji and Australia.

Since then, he was in action for Leinster in their 35-12 triumph over Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate last week and despite making some mistakes during the first half, Prendergast improved as the match progressed and finished with a 20-point haul courtesy of two tries and five conversions.

Bleyendaal was asked to assess his protégé’s progress and said he has been impressed with the players development.

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“He’s definitely maturing, probably beyond his years. He obviously had some great moments on the ball and line-breaks and tries,” Bleyendaal told the Irish Times.

“But we [the team] had some difficult periods in the first half. You look back, you got a good result and you’re kinda grateful for having to go through some of that adversity.

‘It’s probably a good learning curve for him’

“For him to be a part of that, to have to solve problems along with the forwards or the other game drivers, it’s probably a good learning curve for him.

“I think he just enjoyed himself, finding opportunity on the ball and trying to set the other players alight.”

One facet of Prendergast’s play which Bleyendaal highlighted was his ability to change the point of attack.

“Yeah, definitely. He’s really good at putting other players in space,” he added. “[At other times] he found himself in space himself and he backed himself, which is always great to see.

“think the players around him appreciate that about him and it was just pleasing for him to get those rewards. He’s a very skilful passer and kicker and it’s always great when a team has to worry about your run though as well.”

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