Sam Prendergast further cemented his claim to Ireland’s number 10 jersey with a standout performance in Sunday’s commanding win over Scotland at Murrayfield. Despite growing hype around him, the young fly-half remains grounded.
At just 21, Prendergast was playing his first away match for Ireland and earning only his fifth cap in a squad packed with experienced players. Yet, he appeared completely at ease, contributing 12 points and directing the attack with his precise passing, kicking, and decision-making.
Speaking on BBC’s coverage, Irish rugby legend Ronan O’Gara heaped praise on the Leinster playmaker, calling him a “master of control.”
“[Prendergast has] been one of the shining lights, one of the three best performers on the pitch,” O’Gara said after Ireland’s dominant first half saw them lead 17-5. “He’s very composed, has a good kicking strategy, and makes the right decisions on when to run, kick, or involve his forwards.”
Though flattered, Prendergast downplayed the compliment, saying he didn’t quite see himself as O’Gara described but appreciated the recognition from a player of his caliber. Instead, he focused on Ireland’s strong start, which helped build momentum. His efforts earned him the Player of the Match award.
Having started Ireland’s last four Tests, Prendergast has played a key role in back-to-back Six Nations victories over England and Scotland, keeping Simon Easterby’s side on track for a Grand Slam. Preferred over Jack Crowley, he showed improvement in his kicking, rebounding from a few missed attempts against England.
“I wanted to be better than last week,” he admitted. “I’m getting more used to the shot clock, and it felt good.”
Despite his individual success, Prendergast consistently redirected attention to his teammates, crediting the “world-class” players around him for making his job easier.
“You look at the backs outside me and the support I get there are a lot of world-class players in that backline,” he said. “And what the forwards provide, from the starters to the bench, is incredible to be a part of.”
Although Ireland built a strong 17-0 lead, Scotland closed the gap to six points with a try from Duhan van der Merwe and two Blair Kinghorn penalties. However, Prendergast insisted there was never any panic in the Irish camp.
“We felt good in the first half, and they had a few things go their way,” he said. “But we did well to stop them from converting those moments into more tries.”
Looking ahead to Ireland’s next match against Wales on February 22, Prendergast has the chance to secure a Triple Crown in just his third Six Nations appearance. However, he remains focused on steady improvement rather than milestones.
“My only Six Nations experience before this was at the U20 level, but the process is similar building from game to game,” he explained. “I’m not thinking about records, just getting better each week. Now, with a week off, it’s a great chance to learn and improve.”
Be the first to comment