Ireland rugby legend Keith Wood believes that excluding the highly touted young fly-half, Sam Prendergast, from the Six Nations squad would be a mistake for head coach Andy Farrell. Prendergast gained recognition after a standout performance with the age-grade side that secured the Grand Slam in early 2023. Following his success, he played for Leinster in the United Rugby Championship and contributed to Ireland’s run to the final of the World Rugby U20 Championship in July.
With Johnny Sexton’s retirement after the Rugby World Cup, a vacancy has emerged at Leinster for the first-choice fly-half position, contested by experienced players like Ciaran Frawley and the Byrne brothers, Harry and Ross. None have firmly secured the position, potentially giving the 20-year-old Prendergast an opportunity in the upcoming Six Nations.
Prendergast recently played in his first interpro game on New Year’s Day, impressing despite Leinster’s narrow 22-21 loss to Ulster. Wood, the former Munster hooker, advocates for Prendergast’s inclusion in the Six Nations squad, emphasizing his rare talent and the need to provide him with exposure and experience.
Wood acknowledges that Prendergast is a developing talent with some rough edges but believes that including him in the extended squad for the Six Nations would be beneficial. He argues against waiting for another year or more, asserting that if Prendergast is physically robust and capable, he should be given the opportunity to showcase his unique abilities sooner rather than later.
However, former Ulster back-row Stephen Ferris disagrees with Wood’s perspective, expressing irritation at what he perceives as biased coverage favoring Leinster. Ferris emphasizes the need for Prendergast to prove himself in significant games and manage his team effectively, highlighting the solid performance of Ulster’s Billy Burns in contrast to the expectations for Leinster’s victory.
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