Andrew Goodman and Sam Prendergast set for key roles on Emerging Ireland tour

Goodman believes last summer's trip had been a great experience for both Leinster men, and this forthcoming excursion would see Prendergast handed the playmaking reins

KEY ROLE: Backs coach Andrew Goodman during Leinster Rugby squad training at UCD in Dublin. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Both Andrew Goodman and Sam Prendergast spent a summer on tour in the background as Ireland slugged it out with the Springboks.

Both will return to South Africa this weekend very much front and centre as Emerging Ireland take the stage.

Last July’s three-week tour, taking in Tests in Pretoria and Durban and a drawn series with the world champions was head coach Andy Farrell’s opportunity to ease Goodman into the attack coach role he has now inherited from Mike Catt, while the uncapped Prendergast was taken as third-choice fly-half behind Jack Crowley and Ciaran Frawley.

Speaking on Wednesday as the Emerging Ireland began preparations ahead of Saturday’s departure for a three-match tour against Currie Cup opposition and Australian Super Rugby outfit Western Force, Goodman said the summer trip had been a great experience for both Leinster men, and this forthcoming excursion would see Prendergast handed the playmaking reins.

"As it was for me, for him to come away to South Africa was a great experience for him,” Goodman said.

Leinster's Sam Prendergast kicks for goal. Picture: Billy Stickland/INPHO

"He wasn't there to make up the numbers, he was pushing hard every training. It was great for him to build another level of understanding around the Irish team plays the game and also for him to get confident as the 10, calling the shots.

"We expect him to come in after that experience and lead this team around.

"Looking forward to seeing him. I thought he had a good start on Friday night in terms of some of the way he drove the Leinster team around, he'll be looking to kick on, on this tour and put his name forward for future Leinster fixtures."

Tour captain and Munster back-rower Alex Kendellen, two years Prendergast’s senior at 23, also spoke of his expectation of a fly-half he has only witnessed from afar until now.

“No, I never played with him. I just met him there for the first time,” the former Ireland Under-20 skipper said.

“I’ve seen what he’s done on the pitch with Leinster and he’s an incredible player, even for the 20s. He looks like he’s got it all and I’m looking forward to playing in behind him.”

With three games in quick succession in Bloemfontein, starting against The Pumas next Wednesday, Western Force four days later on Saturday, October 6 and ending with The Cheetahs on October 9, Goodman charged Kendellen with bringing a scratch squad of ambitious provincial players into a tight collective.

“It’s a great honour for him to come in in that tour leader spot. He’s someone who I haven’t had a great amount of dealings with so far but from everything I’ve heard he is a great leader,” the attack coach said of Kendellen.

“For a tour like this it is about him connecting the group up. The coaches will drive that as well but it is about making connections and getting everyone on the same page and getting people comfortable and aligned. He will be a big part of driving the standards that we want to live by.”

Also crucial will be the leadership group which will support the tour captain and Goodman added: “We’re still discussing that. We feel there are good guys here.

"With the turnaround being so quick between the games there will be a good little leadership group there that we can call on and they will be interchangeable as the games go through and selections.”