Ronan O’Gara may have been a “doubter” before but the Ireland legend has very much bought into the hype surrounding fly-half Sam Prendergast.
The 21-year-old has been tipped as the long-term heir to Johnny Sexton after making an impression at age-grade level in 2022 and 2023.
Leinster have managed his progression, however, and not put too much pressure on the youngster as he makes his way in the professional game.
Given the Irish province’s fly-half struggles last season, Prendergast could have easily nailed down the jersey if handed more opportunities, but head coach Leo Cullen did not play him in the big games.
Test debut
That has changed in 2024/25, though, with Andy Farrell handing him an Ireland debut in the Autumn Nations Series and Cullen putting him in the 10 shirt for their Investec Champions Cup opener.
He duly impressed against Bristol Bears, scoring two tries in the 35-12 triumph to allay any fears O’Gara had about the youngster’s ability to step up.
“I now see where all the hot air about Sam Prendergast was coming from,” he wrote in his Irish Examiner column.
“I thought the Leinster lad was one of the best players of the Champions Cup opening round, and his best moment was a drilled spiral that went out on the full, albeit it landed about a metre too far. With that in the locker, it’s a big weapon to have.
“But there’s so much more to him, even now. I didn’t see what the Leinster fuss was, but I get it now even though the vibes coming from Irish camp for the autumn series were this guy has it.
“Well, I remained a doubter, even if my body of evidence was shallow.
“My bad. Those bearing witness have seen him Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and they clearly know what they know.
“The rest of us are beginning to see it now, how coaches get what we don’t. And he will only get better.
“He’s not 22 til February by which time he may have a couple of big Six Nations starts under his belt.”
Leinster coach gives candid view on working with Sam Prendergast who is ‘maturing beyond his years’
Jack Crowley battle
After starting against Fiji and Australia in the year-end series, Prendergast could well have usurped Jack Crowley ahead of the Six Nations.