SAM PRENDERGAST has been compared to Johnny Sexton after demonstrating a shared “greatest asset as a threat”.
Writing for the Irish Independent, former Ireland out-half Tony Ward argued that the 21-year-old is showing signs of filling the Sexton void.
Leinster starlet Prendergast made his senior international debut in Ireland’s narrow 22-19 win over Argentina last Friday in Dublin.
He was introduced for Jack Crowley, who has taken on the role of first choice No10 since Johnny Sexton retired after the 2023 World Cup.
The Munster star had crossed over for a try as Andy Farrell‘s men raced into a 22-9 half-time lead against the Pumas.
However, they went scoreless for the second period and had to cling on for victory as the South Americans rallied in the second-half.
While they did hold on for the win to bounce back from the previous week’s defeat to the All Blacks, Tony Ward was critical of the performance.
However, he did reserve praise for Prendergast and fellow debutant Thomas Clarkson.
The 70-year-old wrote: “The lineout was again iffy, the scrum so so, although in his limited time on the field Thomas Clarkson looked a real possibility going forward.
“As with Jamie Osborne and Sam Prendergast, only with experience swimming at the deep end from the off, in at least one of the final two games, can Andy Farrell, Simon Easterby and Co assess their real worth to the here and now – and more importantly the Six Nations in the new year.
“Neither midfield replacement had time to make their mark but Prendergast, like Clarkson on his debut, looked comfortable in the game-linking slot.”
There is a lot of hype surrounding Prendergast, with Ward feeding into this by comparing an element of his skillset to Johnny Sexton.
He added: “It is that aspect more than anything that draws favourable comparison with Jonathan Sexton.
“Sexton’s greatest asset as a threat to the opposition was his willingness to take the ball where others feared to tread and then by way of timing and quality of pass open gaps close in and wider out.
“It’s very early days yet but certainly signs are of a similar tactical mindset in Prendergast.”
Ireland will conclude their Autumn Nations Series with games against Fiji and Australia – with the former the next visitors to the Aviva Stadium this Saturday.
While praising Sam Prendergast, Ward said that Jack Crowley will remain the man to dislodge at out-half.
However, he expects the Kildare-native to be given the chance to stake his claim for the jersey against the Fijians.
“Crowley had a solid first half and is still the number one No 10 in my book.
“Perhaps the concluding two games will present evidence to the contrary.
“We can expect a balanced mix of youth and experience for the Fijians next up. Putting that line-up together will be no easy task.”
