Sam Prendergast’s verdict on Johnny Sexton’s involvement with Ireland

Jared Wright
Ireland and Leinster fly-half Sam Prendergast and an insert of Johnny Sexton.

Ireland and Leinster fly-half Sam Prendergast and an insert of Johnny Sexton.

Ireland rookie and Leinster star Sam Prendergast has opened up on his interactions with Johnny Sexton during the Autumn Nations Series.

The 21-year-old made his Test debut this November coming off the bench against Argentina before starting against Fiji and Australia in Ireland’s last two matches of the year.

Verdict on Johnny Sexton

It’s been a whirlwind end to the year for the young pivot who also earned his first Investec Champions Cup start for his province against Bristol Bears.

Speaking to the media this week, Prendergast revealed that he has read Sexton’s book Obsessed and spoke about the experience of working alongside the former fly-half.

Sexton linked up with Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad during the Autumn Nations Series to provide guidance and insight to the young number 10s in the squad.

“He was a great sounding board,” Prendergast told RTE Sport when asked about Sexton’s involvement.

“It’s great to be able to chat to him because it was his mind as well as his skills that made him so good, he had so much knowledge to share.”

He added: “I was probably only there for a year at Leinster while he was there and any time he was there I wasn’t because they wouldn’t need numbers for training.

“It has been great to chat to him but all the coaches in that set-up and here, they have all dealt with a lot of very good out-halves and they all have their experiences from it, so they’re great to learn off.”

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“It has been an intense month”

Prendergast played 16 matches for Leinster last year but started just four times – a tally he has already matched this campaign. With two further starts in green, the playmaker’s career is gathering pace at the end of 2024 and is yet to have time to properly reflect.

“I’ve played in a few big games, which is good, but [against Clermont] was a bit frustrating at times so I haven’t really been reflecting on the last month too much. It has been a good month and you can take so many learnings out of it,” he added.

“No, life hasn’t changed at all. It has been an intense month, just rugby, rugby, rugby. It’s tough to reflect on a highlight but it is great to play in big games, it’s what I’ve wanted to do from a young age.”

After back-to-back wins to start the Investec Champions Cup, Leinster return to action in the URC where they will look to continue their seven-game winning streak but have two challenging fixtures with Irish derbies against Connacht and Munster to close out the year.

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