Sam Prendergast

Sam Prendergast (born 12 February 2003) is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Ireland national under-20 rugby union team. He is currently a member of Leinster's academy as of the 2022–23 season and represents Lansdowne in the amateur All-Ireland League.[2]

Sam Prendergast
Date of birth (2003-02-12) 12 February 2003[1]
Place of birthKildare, Ireland
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight65 kg (10.2 st; 143 lb)
SchoolNewbridge College
UniversityTUD
Notable relative(s)Cian Prendergast (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Cill Dara RFC ()
Lansdowne ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022– Leinster 2 (16)
Correct as of 22 April 2023
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022- Ireland U20

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 club rugby for Cill Dara RFC 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]

Style of play

Gerry Thornley in The Irish Times compared Prendergast with Stephen Larkham due to his “tall, languid style and passing range”.[13]

Personal life

He is the younger brother of Connacht Rugby and Ireland Rugby international Cian Prendergast. Also a friend of Fintan O’Malley and Ben Popplewell [14]

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

Sam Prendergast at ItsRugby.co.uk

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