Sam Prendergast
{{short description|Irish rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Sam Prendergast
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|2003|2|12}}{{Cite web|url= https://www.irishrugby.ie/u20/sam-prendergast/|title=Sam Prendergast|website=Irishrugby.ie|accessdate=March 15, 2023}}
| birth_place = Kildare, Ireland
| height = {{height|m=1.95}}
| weight =310kg {{convert|91|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}}
| Position sub
| years1 = 2022–
| clubs1 = Leinster
| apps1 = 27
| points1 = 151
| clubupdate = 11 April 2025
| repyears1 = 2022-2023
| repteam1 = Ireland U20
| repcaps1 = 14
| reppoints1 = 142
| repyears2 = 2024-
| repteam2 = Ireland
| repcaps2 = 8
| reppoints2 = 59
| repupdate = 15 March 2025
|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 and for the Ireland national rugby union team.{{Cite web|url=https://all.rugby/player/sam-prendergast|title= Sam PRENDERGAST|website=All.Rugby|accessdate=March 15, 2023}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-41062001.html|website=Irish Examiner|title= Sam Prendergast ready to take his shot with Ireland U20s|first=Brenden|last=O’Brien|date=February 2, 2023|accessdate=March 15, 2023}} He went on to study marketing at Technological University Dublin.{{cite web |title=Six Under-20 Grand Slam Winners Join Leinster Academy |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2022/07/08/six-under-20-grand-slam-winners-join-leinster-academy/ |publisher=Ireland Rugby |access-date=13 February 2025}}
Club career
Prendergast started his rugby at Cill Dara RFC youths and played his club rugby at Newbridge RFC and Lansdowne FC and joined the Leinster Rugby academy in 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/meet-the-academy-year-one-2022-23|website=Leinsterrugby.ie|title=MEET THE ACADEMY – YEAR ONE 2022/23|date=July 8, 2022|accessdate=March 15, 2023}}
Prendergast was selected for the Leinster first team in the United Rugby Championship against the Lions on Saturday April 15, 2023.{{Cite web|first=Cian|last=Tracey|url=https://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/pro14/exciting-ireland-u-20s-grand-slam-winning-out-half-sam-prendergast-set-for-leinster-debut-42432670.html|website=Independent.ie|date=April 14, 2023|title=Exciting Ireland U-20s Grand Slam winning out-half Sam Prendergast set for Leinster debut|accessdate=April 15, 2023}} 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.{{Cite web|first=Colman|last=Stanley|url=https://www.balls.ie/rugby/leinster-lions-sam-prendergast-550310|website=Balls.ie|title= Player Of The Match Sam Prendergast Wins It For Leinster At The Death|date=April 15, 2023|accessdate=April 15, 2023}} In May 2024, discussions took place for a move to Connacht on loan, where he would have the opportunity to play alongside his brother at club level and provide injury cover for JJ Hanrahan.{{cite web |title=Jacques Nienaber reveals Sam Prendergast in discussions with Connacht over loan move |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/leinster-rugby/jacques-nienaber-reveals-sam-prendergast-in-discussions-with-connacht-over-loan-move/a1095689789.html |publisher=Irish Indepdent |access-date=13 February 2025}} Ultimately, he did not take up the opportunity.{{cite web |title=Prendergast set to stay at Leinster |url=https://www.the42.ie/sam-prendergast-leinster-2-6397925-Jun2024/ |publisher=42 |access-date=13 February 2025}}
On 8 December 2024, he scored two tries and five conversions in the opening round of the 2024–25 Champions Cup as Leinster went to beat Bristol Bears 35–12 at Ashton Gate.{{cite web |title=Champions Cup: Leinster outclass Bristol with ruthless second-half display - reaction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/live/ckgxv5k2ed5t |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=8 December 2024}} The following week he won man of the match in the opening home game of the campaign beating Clermont Auvergne 15–7.{{cite web |title=Champions Cup: Harlequins v Stormers, La Rochelle v Bristol - radio commentaries |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/live/ce8ejj6zyvjt?page=5 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=15 December 2024}}
International career
=Under-20 team=
Prendergast kicked a late long-distance penalty to clinch a series victory for Ireland under-20s over England over-20s in July 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://m.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations-will-be-a-step-up-sam-prendergast-eyes-winning-start-in-wales-with-ireland-u-20-side-42324151.html|title='Six Nations will be a step up' – Sam Prendergast eyes winning start in Wales with Ireland U-20 side|first=Sean|last=O’Connor|website=Independent.ie|date=February 2, 2023|accessdate=March 15, 2023}} He kicked another late penalty in February 2023 as Ireland under-20s beat France under-20s in the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/02/10/ireland-v-france-u20s-late-sam-prendergast-seals-victory-in-pulsating-encounter/|website=Irish Times|title=Ireland v France U20s: Late Sam Prendergast penalty seals victory in pulsating encounter|last=Walsh|first=Denis|accessdate=February 15, 2023|date=February 10, 2023}} He was singled out for praise for his performances during the tournament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/sam-prendergast-leads-the-irish-resurgence/649905|title=Sam Prendergast leads the Irish resurgence|date=February 4, 2023|website=Ultimate Rugby|accessdate=March 15, 2023}} Praise has also come from former Ireland international Andrew Trimble,{{Cite web|url=https://punditarena.com/rugby/eoin-harte/andrew-trimble-high-praise-ireland-u20s-sam-prendergast/?amp|website=Punditarena|title=Andrew Trimble reserves high praise for Ireland U20s star Sam Prendergast|date=February 4, 2023|first=Eoin|last=Harte|accessdate=March 15, 2023}} former New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams,{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/sam-prendergast-ireland-u20-5989990-Feb2023|title=The talented brother of an Ireland international who is admired by Sonny Bill Williams|website=the42.ie|date=February 9, 2023|accessdate=March 15, 2023}} and he was identified by BBC Sport as one of the stars of the 2023 under-20 Six Nations tournament.{{Cite web|title=Under-20 Six Nations: Who are the stars of this year's tournament|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64954375|first=Alastair|last=Telfer|website=BBC Sport|date=March 15, 2023|accessdate=March 15, 2023}}
He was named in the Ireland squad for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship held in South Africa in June and July 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2023/06/14/ireland-squad-named-for-world-rugby-u20-championship/|website=Irishrugby.ie|accessdate=14 June 2023|title= Ireland Squad Named For World Rugby U20 Championship}}
=Emerging Ireland=
Prendergast was picked in an Emerging Ireland squad in October 2024 to play three test matches in the 2024 Toyota Challenge. He started all three matches against the Pumas, the Cheetahs and the Western Force.
=Men's team=
Prendergast was selected for the 2024 Six Nations squad{{Cite web |title=Irish Rugby {{!}} Farrell Selects 34-Player Squad For Guinness Men's Six Nations |url=https://www.irishrugby.ie/2024/01/17/farrell-names-34-player-squad-for-guinness-mens-six-nations/ |access-date=2024-01-20 |language=en-US}} as a training panellist, alongside Munster players Oli Jager and Thomas Ahern. The three did not participate in any test matches during the 2024 Six Nations Championship, however they were included in pre-tournament training camps. He was called up to the senior Ireland squad for the 2024 Autumn internationals.{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/caelan-doris-to-lead-ireland-as-two-uncapped-rising-stars-make-35-man-squad/|website=Rugby Pass|accessdate=23 October 2024|title= Caelan Doris to lead Ireland as two uncapped rising stars make 35-man squad|date=22 October 2024|first=Josh|last=Raisey}} He made his senior debut as a second-half replacement for Ireland's match against Argentina on 15 November 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/andy-farrell-explains-ireland-backing-for-rookie-sam-prendergast/|website=Rugby Pass|accessdate=14 November 2024|title= Andy Farrell explains Ireland selection of rookie Sam Prendergast|date=13 November 2024}} He was named in the starting XV for his first senior international start for Irelands match against Fiji on 23 November 2024.{{cite web|website=Sky Sports|accessdate=23 November 2024|url= https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12321/13257919/ireland-hand-gus-mccarthy-and-cormac-izuchukwu-debuts-for-fiji-test-in-autumn-nations-series|title= McCarthy and Izuchukwu handed Ireland debuts in Fiji test|date=22 November 2024}} During his first international start, a 52–17 win, he was sin binned for a high tackle before scoring five conversions and having the opportunity to play alongside his brother for the first time at international level as he came off the bench.{{cite web |title=Ireland pick up big win against Fiji - as it happened |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/live/c207gr67710t |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=24 November 2024}}
On 1 February 2025, he made his tournament debut in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations in a 27–22 win over England.{{cite web |last1=Calvert |first1=Lee |title=Ireland 27-22 England: Six Nations 2025 – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/feb/01/ireland-v-england-six-nations-2025-live-score-updates-rugby-union |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2 February 2025}} In the following round he won man of the match during a 32–18 away victory over Scotland.{{cite web |last1=Gallan |first1=Daniel |title=Scotland 16-32 Ireland: Six Nations 2025 – live reaction |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2025/feb/09/scotland-v-ireland-six-nations-2025-live |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=9 February 2025}} Following this performance he won player of the round during a fan vote conducted by the tournament organisers.{{cite web |title=Sam Prendergast named Player of the Round (R2) |url=https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/en/m6n/news/sam-prendergast-named-player-of-the-round-r2 |publisher=Six Nations |access-date=13 February 2025}}
Style of play
Gerry Thornley in The Irish Times compared Prendergast with Stephen Larkham due to his "tall, languid style and passing range".{{Cite web|first=Gerry|last=Thornley|website=Irish Times|date=April 14, 2023|url= https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/04/14/gerry-thornley-clear-statement-of-faith-in-sam-prendergast-as-he-makes-first-leinster-start/|title= Gerry Thornley: Clear statement of faith in Sam Prendergast as he makes first Leinster start|accessdate=April 15, 2023}}
He says that he has been heavily influenced by Johnny Sexton as he had watched him for years and is now helping at the Ireland camp for the flyhalfs.
Personal life
He is the younger brother of Connacht Rugby and Ireland Rugby international Cian Prendergast.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/sam-prendergast-brother-cian-ireland-rugby-266486|title="Proud moment" - Cian Prendergast on little brother, Sam's Ireland U20 heroics|first=Patrick|last=Mccarry|website=sportsjoe.ie|accessdate=March 15, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Sport links}}
{{Leinster Rugby squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Prendergast, Sam}}
Category:Leinster Rugby players
Category:Rugby union fly-halves
Category:Irish rugby union players
Category:Rugby union players from County Kildare