Leinster Rugby vs Benetton Rugby

“We were two and a half weeks in Italy at
that stage and we were getting closer as a
group. It meant a lot to get that win.”
While Cian made big sacrifices to watch
his brother play, Sam would do the same
just one week later.
“We had a game against Scotland the
same day Ireland played the second test
against the Mãori All Blacks. The first half
of the game was on in the background in
the hotel while we were prepping for our
game. I was trying get ready and keep an
eye on Cian’s game!
“When we arrived at the stadium and
went out to walk the pitch before the
Scotland game, there was only 15 minutes
left in the Ireland and Mãori game and I
was watching it on my phone as I walked
around.
“It was nerve wrecking towards the end,
but I got to see that they held on for the
win, which was brilliant.”
Not long after returning from Italy, Sam
Prendergast began his new journey in
UCD as a year one member of the Leinster
Rugby Academy. It’s another step he has
taken in his stride.
“It’s been really enjoyable. I didn’t get
much time off after being with the Irish
U-20s but that turned out to be a blessing
because I got to take part in pre-season
with the senior team.
“That was a great experience and you
learn so much every day when you train
with them.
“All of the senior players make it clear that
they are happy to help any of the younger
players. If some of the other out-halves
saw I wasn’t sure about a call, they are all
very quick to get you back on track.”
At just 19 years of age, Prendergast is
certainly in a privileged position getting to
train with players he looked up to for so
long, such as Johnny Sexton. In fact, Sam
Prendergast was born just 34 days before
Sexton won the Schools Senior Cup with
St Mary’s.
Now the two are chewing the fat on the
training pitch.
“I’ve chatted with him a few times and he’s
been really helpful. It’s just class to see
how he works.
“Obviously, he’s the best at what he
does. It’s really cool to be able to train
with those players and try and learn from
them as much as I can.”
Having only joined the group in the
summer, Prendergast was hoping to soak
up as much information as he could from
the senior players over pre-season.
But, with a couple of injuries, and
international players not yet available,
the out-half was told he would be on the
bench for the pre-season game away to
Harlequins.
“No, I certainly wasn’t expecting to get
minutes in that game, but then the way
things unfolded, I got a chance.
“Ross Byrne picked up a knock during the
game, which thankfully wasn’t too bad,
but I ended up getting 45 minutes, which
was an amazing experience.
“There was about 8,500 at the Stoop
that evening. It was the biggest crowd I’d
ever played in front. It was class.”
And, who was the first person to
congratulate him after the game? His
dad, Mark, of course.
So what are the aims for the 2022/23
season?
“I’m still eligible for the Irish U-20s. If I’m
selected, we will have a lot of camps
throughout the season leading up to the
Six Nations.
“So my main focus right now is to get
selected for those camps, and hopefully,
repeat what the lads did last year.
“I’d also like to get more games with
Lansdowne. I only played four or five
times for the club last year. Hopefully
I do get the opportunity to play more
All-Ireland League games and have a
successful year with them too.”
It’s clear Sam Prendergast just wants to
play rugby.
After a strong summer and a good
support network and his family in the
stands at nearly every game, he has
everything in his armoury to succeed.