Prendergast brothers set to start for Ireland tonight in Paris
Sam Prendergast and Cian Prendergast will start together for Ireland for the very first time tonight in Paris for the Six Nations opener against France. Photo: INPHO/Billy Stickland
There is an interesting fraternal subplot for rugby fans to look out for tonight as Ireland take to the field in Paris for the Six Nations opener against France.
Cian and Sam Prendergast continued a tradition going back well over 100 years when they became the 57th set of brothers to represent Ireland, joining the likes of the Wallaces - Richard, Paul and David - and the Bests - Rory and Simon.
The Prendergasts have played together in green before, but tonight in the Stade de France will be the first time the pair have started a test match alongside one another.
Ciara Ware, from Carlow Town, is the proud mother of Cian and Sam, with elder son Cian once attributing his love for GAA to the matriarch of the Prendergast family. “It was huge on my mother’s side particularly, the Éire Óg club in Carlow,” he said.
The biggest question in Irish rugby ever since Jonathan Sexton called it a day after the last World Cup has been who the next fly half will be. Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell has opted for Sam Prendergast to wear the number ten jersey in Paris, ahead of Leinster teammate and rival Harry Byrne, and Munster's Jack Crowley, who sits on the bench.
Prendergast has received the full backing of Irish captain Caelan Doris ahead of the game, who said: "Sam's been great. Obviously, his defence has caught quite a bit of flack, but it's an area that- I'm in the same club as him in Leinster and I see, day to day, the work he puts in - same here in camp. So. that side of his game is improving.
"In terms of his attack, the ceiling is so high for him. He can do things that not many people can do at all, and he's getting more and more confident at leading the week and being another voice, especially guiding our attack.
"I've got a lot of faith in him and I'm looking forward to seeing him lead us around."
The Connacht captain has been in fine form this season, and emerged as a real lineout threat for Ireland during the November Internationals. This is a big opportunity for Prendergast to lay down a marker as he hopes to nail down the Irish six jersey for the rest of this championship.
One man who has a lot in common with Cian is Tullow native, Bernard Jackman. Like Prendergast, Jackman began his provincial career at Connacht, though he did join Leinster in 2005 where he played until his retirement in 2010. Jackman played nine times for Ireland - Prendergast will win his ninth cap tonight in Paris.
Jackman, a hooker, sees more than most when it comes to the set piece, and praised the 25-year-old Prendergast for his work at the lineout, saying:
"His lineout is better than any other backrow in Ireland, if you consider Tadhg Beirne to be a second row. Even his lineout calling is very good.
"He's a very talented player, very consistent. Farrell takes a liking to players, not just with what we see on the pitch but also in the camp. Cian and Sam, from the first time he got them into camp, he saw something he could build.
"I also think there was an ask from the IRFU to Connacht that he would play a little bit at eight, which he did last year as well. Creating a bit more versatility, more cover.
"His biggest strength is lineout. Given our lineout has been inconsistent, and given how important that is to our attacking game, I think that's his trump card.That's why he has got the chance this week."
