Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

I watched it back also and thought both out-halves played well. Prendergast missed an easy conversion and one of his garryowens was too long. His passing was good and he facilitated a clean break by Kelleher who offloaded to McCarthy. Also see VDF free. His kicking to touch was exceptional. 2 lovely kick passes to Lowe and Keenan. 2 excellent garryowens recovered by Keenan. Commentator credited him with a try saving tackle which was an exaggeration. He also intercepted after a clean break by Aus and his tackling was fine. Grubber kick resulted in a knock on by Aus. If he can threaten a clean break, it will make him much more dangerous. Teams seem to have figured out Ireland after first phase play, not committing to rucks so hard to make clear breaks

Crowley had an outside break and brought the ball to the line well. Kicked directly to touch once, otherwise fine. Looks more robust than Sam and is probably in pole position prior to Heineken Cup matches

I do not understand why Conan has been excluded from the Irish set up. His carrying alone brings something we just don't have aiwth anyone else. I assumed he was injured.

He Was injured in the croke park game iirc

It’s difficult to square all these fundamental concerns about Prendergast with the fact that he has been parachuted into the senior squad at such an early stage and has done well. If he genuinely wasn’t up to it, it would have been a lot more obvious (or wouldn’t have been there at all).

As regards his physicality, I remember plenty of players getting bounced by big Fijians but not Prendergast. He made eight tackles against Australia , matched only by Henshaw among the backs, and Henshaw had 15 more minutes to do it. He’s not hiding in the backfield.

I genuinely couldn’t give a shyte if he looks a bit funny when he runs. So did Sexton and it never held him back.