Academy out-half Sam Prendergast to make Leinster debut

U20's Grand Slam winner Sam Prendergast name in Leinster's starting XV for clash against Emirates Lions.

Fri, 14 Apr, 2023 - 12:47

Fiona Halligan, Shane Donovan

Leinster boss Leo Cullen has included academy star Sam Prendergast in his starting XV for their BKT URC game against Emirates Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday (3pm Irish time).

20-year-old Prendergast has been rewarded for his string of fine performances on route to under-20 Six Nations Grand Slam glory.

The talented out-half - who is the younger brother of Connacht back-row, Cian - produced fine performances throughout the underage competition, combining a high level of skill with an ability to guide his team around the pitch.

Cullen's decision to go with the Newbridge native is a clear indication of his belief in Prendergast, at a time when Johnny Sexton is edging ever closer to hanging up his boots.

Chris Cosgrove starts at full-back. Dave Kearney is set to make his 150th league appearance on the wing with a welcome return for Tommy O'Brien who makes his first appearance of the season after recovering from his knee injury.

Liam Turner and Ben Brownlee partner up in the centre. Prendergast is partnered with Nick McCarty.

Georgia International Vakhtang Abdaladze makes his first start for Leinster and will pack down with Michael Milne and Lee Barron.

Brian Deeny and Jason Jenkins start in the second row with captain Rhys Ruddock, Will Connors and Max Deegan making up the back-row.

Five Academy players are included on the bench with Alex Soroka, James Culhane, Ben Murphy, Charlie Tector and Rob Russell all looking to impress.

Emirates Lions: Q Horn; S Pienaar, M Rass, M Louw - captain, E van der Merwe; G Lombard, S Nohamba; R Rijnsburger, PJ Botha, A Ntlabakanye; W Alberts, R Schoeman; J Kriel, R Delport, F Horn.

Replacements: M Brandon, JP Smith, R Dreyer, D Landsberg, T Gordon, M van den Berg, R Jonker, A Coetzee

Leinster: C Cosgrove; T O'Brien, L Turner, B Brownlee, D Kearney; S Prendergast, N McCarthy; M Milne, L Barron, V Abdaladze; B Deeny, J Jenkins; R Ruddock - captain, W Connors, M Deegan.

Replacements: T McElroy, E Byrne, T Clarkson, A Soroka, J Culhane, B Murphy, C Tector, R Russell.