Simon Easterby: Sam Prendergast at No.10 one of 'six or seven tough calls'

DEBUT BOY: Sam Prendergast makes his Six Nations debut against England.  Pic: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Simon Easterby has explained that the selection of Sam Prendergast ahead of Jack Crowley for Saturday’s Six Nations opener against England was not a “preconceived” decision and that both tens will play plenty of rugby for Ireland in the years to come.

Prendergast usurped Crowley in the starting line-up during the November internationals and continued his impressive form when wearing the No.10 for Leinster through most of the intervening period that included big URC and Champions Cup matches.

Crowley’s form, like that of Munster as a whole, has been less consistent but the Cork man put in a superb performance away to Northampton Saints in the ‘European’ Cup two weeks ago and isn’t the type to lie down for anyone.

“They are going to play a lot of rugby and compete for a long time,” said Easterby after naming his matchday 23. “This decision has gone Sam’s way. We felt like he did really well in November, he got a taste for international rugby.

“He went away and played really well for Leinster in a good period for them, but he was a big part of the successes across the December window and into the New Year. We feel like he’s the right man this weekend to lead the team.

“He has a lot of experience around him, even though the way Jack has trained and played coming into the Six Nations means that Sam knows he’s got to keep raising his game and keep getting better.

“Jack played really well in Northampton in the week prior to camp and he also comes in with a lot of credit in the bank, in terms of what he’s done in the last 18 months, two years.

“Also in the back end of that Australia game, he came on and finished the game really strongly and saw out the game so one of the tough calls but there was probably six or seven of those decisions throughout the team selection that we would have been happy to go either way with players.” 

Easterby explained that performances in November and for their provinces had been taken into account and that there was a sense that Ireland need to keep “evolving” as a team what with other teams scouting them and trying to push ahead.

“So there were certainly no preconceived ideas. Selection isn't a perfect science. It's conversations that you have with players and with other coaches along the way and then over a period of time you start to formulate your plans.” 

The other big call was in the midfield where Bundee Aki got the nod ahead of Robbie Henshaw at inside-centre. Henshaw, who started all three British and Irish Lions tests in 2021, will start this Championship round one clash on the bench.

Another “tight call”, said Easterby.

There was some injury updates on Tadhg Furlong who misses out with a reoccurrence of the calf injury that has plagued his season to date. Nothing major, was the word on that, though there was nothing definitive about him being ready or not for Scotland a week later.

The other fitness matter concerned Joe McCarthy who misses out due to what Easterby labelled an “innocuous” rugby collision in training this week. Someone landed on his head, he claimed. McCarthy should be good for Murrayfield.

His absence has created an opening in the side for Ryan Baird who starts at blindside with Tadhg Beirne shifting into the second row. 

It’s a big opportunity for Baird who has shown glimpses of his enormous potential in the past for club and country.

“It is, yeah, along with a lot of players. Ryan has played in some big games for us but he's had a few injuries along the way and this one really represents a real opportunity for him as a player to come in and leave his mark in that six jersey.

“There are a lot of competitive positions in the team but six and back row obviously being one of those, we've left a couple of very good players out of the squad to pick Ryan and he's aware of that. He's got the bit between his teeth.

“He had a period of time where he wasn't playing after November but I thought he did well in La Rochelle in a big game over in France a couple of weeks ago for Leinster and he comes into camp with good form.

“But also he's got his confidence back and he's looking strong and quick and athletic and he'll add very much to not only the lineout but also just his athletic ability is pretty special as well.”