Ireland elevation swayed Leinster call to start Sam Prendergast against Bristol

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said it was "really pleasing" to see how Sam Prendergast performed with Ireland over the last month. 

Sam Prendergast during a Leinster rugby squad training session. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Leo Cullen admits that Sam Prendergast’s elevation to Ireland’s starting out-half helped sway the decision in selecting the 21 year old to start Leinster’s Champions Cup opener away to Bristol Bears on Sunday evening.

Prendergast only made his Test debut off the bench against Argentina in early November but followed it up with impressive starts against Fiji and Australia having overtaken Munster’s Jack Crowley in the race for the No.10 jersey.