Prendergast brothers help Ireland to victory

Brothers Sam and Cian Prendergast, sons of Carlow's Ciara Ware, featured on the pitch together for the Ireland senior team for the first time today at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland trounced Fiji 52-17.

Sam, making his first start, almost had his day cut very short when was shown a yellow card and sent to the sin for a tackle with less than eight minutes on the clock, and was perhaps fortunate that it was not upgraded to a red, but he returned to the pitch to turn in an assured display.

He had already kicked one conversion before his stint off the pitch and upon his return added a further four as Ireland dominated the play, although he missed the conversions for Ireland’s last two tries.

He was joined on the pitch in the 47th minute by older brother Cian, who replaced Josh Van Der Flier as he earned his fourth cap.

The only black marks on the day for Ireland were injuries to Jamie Osborne in the first half time and Jacob Stockdale after the break. 

Ireland complete their Autumn Series against Australia at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday.