Sam Prendergast Explained

Sam Prendergast
Birth Date:2003 2, df=yes[1]
Birth Place:Kildare, Ireland
Weight:91kg (201lb)
Position:Fly-half
Amatyears1:2009 to 2012
Amatteam1:Newbridge RFC (Ireland)
Amatyears2:2021-
Amatteam2:Lansdowne
Years1:2022–
Clubs1:Leinster
Apps1:5
Points1:21
Clubupdate:14 November 2023
Repyears1:2022-
Repteam1:Ireland U20
Relatives:Cian Prendergast (brother)
School:Newbridge College
University:TUD

Sam Prendergast (born 12 February 2003) is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Leinster Rugby as of the 2022–23 season and represents Lansdowne in the amateur All-Ireland League.[2]

Early life

Prendergast attended Newbridge College in Newbridge, County Kildare where he played as a scrum-half before he had a growth spurt. He played in 2020 as the school secured a place in the Leinster Senior Schools Cup final against Clongowes Wood. However, the final was never played due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]

Career

Pendergast played his club rugby at Newbridge RFC (Ireland) and Lansdowne FC and joined the Leinster Rugby academy in 2022.[4]

Prendergast was selected for the Leinster first team in the United Rugby Championship against the Lions on Saturday April 15, 2023.[5] He was awarded player of the match for his debut performance which involved successfully kicking six out of seven attempts including a late penalty with the scores tied to secure the win for his side.[6]

International career

He kicked a late long-distance penalty to clinch a series victory for Ireland under-20s over England over-20s in July 2022.[7] He kicked another late penalty in February 2023 as Ireland under-20s beat France under-20s in the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[8] He was singled out for praise for his performances during the tournament.[9] Praise has also come from former Ireland international Andrew Trimble,[10] former New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams,[11] and he was identified by BBC Sport as one of the stars of the 2023 under-20 Six Nations tournament.[12]

He was named in the Ireland squad for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship held in South Africa in June and July 2023.[13]

He was selected for the 2024 Men's Six Nations squad[14] as a training panellist, alongside Munster players Oli Jager and Thomas Ahern. The three will not participate in any test matches during the 2024 Men's Six Nations, however they will be included in pre-tournament training camps.

Style of play

Gerry Thornley in The Irish Times compared Prendergast with Stephen Larkham due to his “tall, languid style and passing range”.[15]

Personal life

He is the younger brother of Connacht Rugby and Ireland Rugby international Cian Prendergast.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sam Prendergast. Irishrugby.ie. March 15, 2023.
  2. Web site: Sam PRENDERGAST. All.Rugby. March 15, 2023.
  3. Web site: Sam Prendergast ready to take his shot with Ireland U20s. Irish Examiner. Brenden. O’Brien. February 2, 2023. March 15, 2023.
  4. Web site: MEET THE ACADEMY – YEAR ONE 2022/23. Leinsterrugby.ie. July 8, 2022. March 15, 2023.
  5. Web site: Cian. Tracey. Exciting Ireland U-20s Grand Slam winning out-half Sam Prendergast set for Leinster debut. Independent.ie. April 14, 2023. April 15, 2023.
  6. Web site: Colman. Stanley. Player Of The Match Sam Prendergast Wins It For Leinster At The Death. Balls.ie. April 15, 2023. April 15, 2023.
  7. Web site: ‘Six Nations will be a step up’ – Sam Prendergast eyes winning start in Wales with Ireland U-20 side. Sean. O’Connor. Independent.ie. February 2, 2023. March 15, 2023.
  8. Web site: Ireland v France U20s: Late Sam Prendergast penalty seals victory in pulsating encounter. Irish Times. Walsh. Denis. February 15, 2023. February 10, 2023.
  9. Web site: Sam Prendergast leads the Irish resurgence. February 4, 2023. Ultimate Rugby. March 15, 2023.
  10. Web site: Andrew Trimble reserves high praise for Ireland U20s star Sam Prendergast. Punditarena. February 4, 2023. Eoin. Harte. March 15, 2023.
  11. Web site: The talented brother of an Ireland international who is admired by Sonny Bill Williams. the42.ie. February 9, 2023. March 15, 2023.
  12. Web site: Under-20 Six Nations: Who are the stars of this year's tournament. Alastair. Telfer. BBC Sport. March 15, 2023. March 15, 2023.
  13. Web site: Ireland Squad Named For World Rugby U20 Championship. Irishrugby.ie. 14 June 2023.
  14. Web site: Irish Rugby Farrell Selects 34-Player Squad For Guinness Men’s Six Nations . 2024-01-20 . en-US.
  15. Web site: Gerry. Thornley. Irish Times. April 14, 2023. Gerry Thornley: Clear statement of faith in Sam Prendergast as he makes first Leinster start. April 15, 2023.
  16. Web site: "Proud moment" - Cian Prendergast on little brother, Sam's Ireland U20 heroics. Patrick. Mccarry. sportsjoe.ie. March 15, 2023.