Andy Farrell claims Sam Prendergast's abilities at fly-half 'far outweigh' defensive weakness

Sam Prendergast at Irish training. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Andy Farrell has insisted Sam Prendergast’s playmaking abilities outweigh any defensive weaknesses the young fly-half may be working on to improve his game.

The Ireland head coach has kept faith with the 22-year-old to start against world champions South Africa in an Aviva Stadium sell-out Quilter Nations Series Test that will bring down the curtain on the international year this Saturday.

Jack Crowley, 25, started the first two Tests this month, a loss to New Zealand and victory over Japan, before making way for his younger rival for last week’s showdown with Australia. Prendergast seized his chance with an impressive attacking display to lay the foundations for a record 46-19 victory over the Wallabies.

The fly-half’s failure to stop powerhouse Australian centre Len Ikitau from scoring from close range was highlighted in addition to a coupe of missed tackles but addressing the media on Thursday after naming his side to face the Springboks, the Ireland boss railed at the suggestion he had selected his 10 in order to see more from the defensive side of his game against the world’s best.

“I mean, I understand the question, and it's a question that obviously keeps popping up now, but I think Sam's ability as a fly-half far outweighs a work-on within his game,” Farrell said.

“I thought he was tremendous last week. His skill set has been fantastic for all to see, and I think everyone needs to look through a little bit of a work-on, because everyone's got work-ons and will continue to have work-ons throughout, and that's up to us as coaches and the rest of the players to keep on working on them.”

Garry Ringrose, right, returns from a hamstring strain. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

When another reporter broached the subject of Prendergast’s defence later in the media conference at Aviva Stadium on Thursday, regarding whether he had spoken to his fly-half about tackle technique, Farrell appeared equally exasperated.

“I understand your question again, but they're loaded questions, you know what I mean? Because then it's obvious that we have to talk about that. Your question could be asked about any single player throughout.

“Of course, we constantly talk to individuals about all aspects of the play. So, to think that we're just focusing on one aspect of one player is not right. Because, for example, I spoke to our two leaders yesterday about certain aspects of their game. I'm talking about Caolan and Dan Sheehan now, world-class players, and they agree with the work-ons. You know what I mean?

“So, it is constant throughout for every single member of every single squad in World Rugby.” Farrell has made four changes for the South Africa clash from last Saturday’s big win over the Australians, returning Andrew Porter at loosehead prop after he had made way for Paddy McCarthy’s first Ireland start and restoring Josh van der Flier at openside flanker following a hamstring strain with captain Caelan Doris returning to No.8 as Jack Conan drops to the bench.

Garry Ringrose also returns from a hamstring strain to start at outside centre in a fresh midfield pairing with Bundee Aki, now set for his first start of the November window. Last week’s partnership of Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw was ruled out with injuries, while Aki’s place as the outside backs replacement last week has gone to fellow centre Tom Farrell, the Munster midfielder who earned his Ireland debut against Japan a fortnight ago.

IRELAND (v South Africa): M Hansen (Connacht); T O’Brien (Leinster), G Ringrose (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Lowe (Leinster); S Prendergast (Leinster), J Gibson-Park (Leinster); A Porter (Leinster), D Sheehan (Leinster), T Furlong (Leinster); J Ryan (Leinster), T Beirne (Munster), R Baird (Leinster), J van der Flier (Leinster), C Doris (Leinster, captain).

Replacements: R Kelleher (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), C Prendergast (Connacht), J Conan (Leinster), C Casey (Munster), J Crowley (Munster), T Farrell (Munster).