Scotland 18-32 Ireland: 'Master of control' Sam Prendergast shines in Murrayfield win

Sam Prendergast's outstanding performance in Ireland's dominant victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday has further cemented his position in the Irish team's number 10 jersey. Despite the growing accolades surrounding him, he has consistently maintained a level-headed approach, focusing on his role within the team.

The victory marked only the 21-year-old Prendergast's fifth appearance for the team, having never previously played an away game for Ireland, amidst a squad filled with seasoned players. However, he performed with the composure of any seasoned player in green, contributing 12 points and orchestrating the team's attack with impressive passing, kicking, and decision-making skills, showcasing his potential as a future leader.

During the BBC's television coverage, Irish legend Ronan O'Gara showered the young Leinster player with praise, hailing him as a "master of control." O'Gara, speaking after Ireland's impressive first-half performance that saw them lead 17-5, stated, "Prendergast has been one of the shining lights, one of the best three players on the pitch." He added, "He's very composed, has a good kicking strategy, and makes the right decisions on when to run, when to kick, and when to put the ball in front of the forwards. He's a master of control," highlighting Prendergast's maturity and tactical awareness.

Prendergast, with a smile, stated that he "wouldn't particularly" feel like he was as O'Gara described him, but that he was happy to receive "praise from a very good player," while consciously focusing on the team's fast start. "I thought it was very good, it got us building some momentum," said Prendergast, who was named man of the match, acknowledging the importance of a strong beginning.

Prendergast has started in Ireland's past four test matches, helping the team secure consecutive victories against England and Scotland, clinching the Six Nations title and leaving Simon Easterby's team as the only one still in contention for a Grand Slam. After being replaced by Jack Crowley, Prendergast missed a couple of kicks against England, but excelled in both place kicking and open play at Murrayfield. "I wanted to be better than last week," he added. "I was more accustomed to the shot clock again, which was good," reflecting his determination to improve.

In the narrow corridors of Murrayfield, the softly-spoken Prendergast continually deflected attention away from his own efforts, instead shining the spotlight on the "world-class" players around him. "Look at the backs I have behind me, the help I get in terms of game management, there's a lot of world-class players in that backline. It makes it a lot easier, and the forwards are giving us a platform whether they're starting or coming off the bench, it's unbelievable to be a part of," emphasizing the team's collective strength.

While Ireland raced to a 17-0 lead, Scotland narrowed the gap to six points through a Duhan van der Merwe try and two Blair Kinghorn penalties. But Prendergast insisted that there was no panic within the Irish team, even during Scotland's resurgence either side of half-time. "We felt good in the first half, they got a few, not lucky breaks, but things that went their way. I thought we did well not to come off it because of that," highlighting the team's resilience.

Ireland travel to Wales on February 22nd, with Prendergast poised to win a Triple Crown in what is only his third Six Nations appearance. But he is not currently considering any trophies or milestones. "I'm just focusing on this game. The only other Six Nations I've had was at under-20s level before this, but in terms of the build-up week by week, it's very similar. You just have to treat every game as a game. I'm not too focused on milestones, I'm just focused on getting better every week. We have a week off now, which is a chance to learn and improve," showcasing his dedication to continuous improvement and a game-by-game approach.