Leinster coach lauds ‘inquisitive’ Sam Prendergast after winning Lions shootout in mammoth Champions Cup win
Sam Prendergast in action for Leinster in the Champions Cup round of 16 clash against Harlequins
Ireland and Leinster star Sam Prendergast has been praised for taking “more ownership of his game” after a standout display in his side’s 62-0 victory over Harlequins on Saturday.
The fly-half, who is firmly in contention for the British and Irish Lions tour this summer, grabbed a neat haul of 11 points in the win at Croke Park thanks to a try and three conversions – a performance which came at the perfect time given he was directly opposite fellow Lions hopeful Marcus Smith.
Sam Prendergast earns high praise following standout Leinster performance
Prendergast, 22, started Ireland’s first four Six Nations Tests this year but drew heavy criticism before later being axed in favour of Jack Crowley for their finale in Rome.
But, his starring role in Leinster’s demolition over Harlequins at Croke Park has got backs coach Tyler Bleyendaal thinking he has already taken and acted on the key lessons from the Championship.
“I think Sam has taken more ownership around his own game in finding where he can impact the guys around him in a positive way,” Bleyendaal told the Irish Mirror.
“He’s still so young, and he’s still eager to learn. He doesn’t come in and think ‘Oh, I’ve cracked it now, I’m where I need to be’.”
“He’s also really inquisitive, and he works hard on his own game and with the team, which is great. He obviously has things to work on, and has never played the perfect game, but he’s still improving and we enjoy what he’s doing on the pitch.”
Fly-half is one of the more hotly contested spots ahead of Andy Farrell’s selection on May 8, with Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Crowley, M. Smith and George Ford all in the mix, but if Prendergast can replicate this performance in Leinster’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors he could push himself up the pecking order once again.
A win for Leinster would also set up a date with either Northampton Saints or Castres in the semi-finals.
