# Sam Prendergast

Sam Prendergast (born 12 February 2003) is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Leinster Rugby and for the Ireland national rugby union team.

## Early life

Prendergast attended Newbridge College in Newbridge, County Kildare where he played as a scrum-half before he had a growth spurt. He played in 2020 as the school secured a place in the Leinster Senior Schools Cup final against Clongowes Wood. However, the final was never played due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He went on to study marketing at Technological University Dublin.

## Club career

Prendergast started his rugby at Cill Dara RFC youths and played his club rugby at Newbridge RFC and Lansdowne FC and joined the Leinster Rugby academy in 2022.
Prendergast was selected for the Leinster first team in the United Rugby Championship against the Lions on Saturday April 15, 2023. He was awarded player of the match for his debut performance which involved successfully kicking six out of seven attempts including a late penalty with the scores tied to secure the win for his side. In May 2024, discussions took place for a move to Connacht on loan, where he would have the opportunity to play alongside his brother at club level and provide injury cover for JJ Hanrahan. Ultimately, he did not take up the opportunity.
On 8 December 2024, he scored two tries and five conversions in the opening round of the 2024–25 Champions Cup as Leinster went to beat Bristol Bears 35–12 at Ashton Gate. The following week he won man of the match in the opening home game of the campaign beating Clermont Auvergne 15–7.

## International career
### Under-20 team

Prendergast kicked a late long-distance penalty to clinch a series victory for Ireland under-20s over England over-20s in July 2022. He kicked another late penalty in February 2023 as Ireland under-20s beat France under-20s in the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship. He was singled out for praise for his performances during the tournament. Praise has also come from former Ireland international Andrew Trimble, former New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams, and he was identified by BBC Sport as one of the stars of the 2023 under-20 Six Nations tournament. He was named in the Ireland squad for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship held in South Africa in June and July 2023.

### Emerging Ireland

Prendergast was picked in an Emerging Ireland squad in October 2024 to play three test matches in the 2024 Toyota Challenge. He started all three matches against the Pumas, the Cheetahs and the Western Force.

### Men's team

Prendergast was selected for the 2024 Six Nations squad as a training panellist, alongside Munster players Oli Jager and Thomas Ahern. The three did not participate in any test matches during the 2024 Six Nations Championship, however they were included in pre-tournament training camps. He was called up to the senior Ireland squad for the 2024 Autumn internationals. He made his senior debut as a second-half replacement for Ireland's match against Argentina on 15 November 2024. He was named in the starting XV for his first senior international start for Irelands match against Fiji on 23 November 2024. During his first international start, a 52–17 win, he was sin binned for a high tackle before scoring five conversions and having the opportunity to play alongside his brother for the first time at international level as he came off the bench.
On 1 February 2025, he made his tournament debut in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations in a 27–22 win over England. In the following round he won man of the match during a 32–18 away victory over Scotland. Following this performance he won player of the round during a fan vote conducted by the tournament organisers.

## Style of play

Gerry Thornley in The Irish Times compared Prendergast with Stephen Larkham due to his "tall, languid style and passing range".
He says that he has been heavily influenced by Johnny Sexton as he had watched him for years and is now helping at the Ireland camp for the flyhalfs.

## Personal life

He is the younger brother of Connacht Rugby and Ireland Rugby international Cian Prendergast.