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Sam Prendergast's Post-Match Comment On Marcus Smith Has Us All Feeling Old

Sam Prendergast's Post-Match Comment On Marcus Smith Has Us All Feeling Old
Patrick McCarry
By Patrick McCarry Updated
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Sam Prendergast was up for post-match duties, at Aviva Stadium, and delivered some gems in his chat with the media.

Prendergast set aside some early wobbles, against England, to help Ireland to a 27-22 victory in their Six Nations opener. The 21-year-old Leinster outhalf showed off an impressive passing range and overcame two missed conversions to land a second half penalty that edged Ireland ahead for the first time.

Jack Crowley replaced Prendergast for the closing stages andgave interim coach Simon Easterby more questions to ponder before next weekend's game against Scotland. Both Irish out-halves had markedly better performances than England's Marcus Smith, who started brightly before fading badly. One of Smith's last actions was a turnstyle tackle that slowed Bundee Aki for 0.02 seconds on his way to the tryline.

Smith has plenty of Test credit in the bank, though, and Prendergast was glowing in his praise of the Harlequins star, who was a British & Irish Lions bolter, back in 2021. Indeed, Prendergast's opening remark about Smith had most of us at the press conference feeling old.

"I remember, a long time ago, when he was breaking onto the scene and he was only 18."

"He's been around a long time and he's played at a high level."

'A long time ago'. It's incredible to think Smith is now the wisened veteran to someone as young as Prendergast.

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When a reporter cut in, "It wasn't that long ago!" Prendergast explained that it was, in fact, as he was referring to the England 10 making his Quins debut, in 2017, when he was only 18.

Prendergast said the rise of Smith was an inspiration to him back when he was at Newbridge College and dreaming of one day being 'the starting 10 for Leinster and Ireland'.

READ ALSO: Caelan Doris Couldn't Contain Reaction To Exuberant Rendition Of Ireland's Call

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Bundee Aki of Ireland scores his side's second try despite the attempted tackle by Tommy Freeman of England. (Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)

Sam Prendergast praise for Johnny Sexton

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Asked what the best part of his Six Nations debut was, Sam Prendergast was straight-faced and serious as he proclaimed, "Winning."

"It's always a big game," he added, "England coming to Dublin. It's always a big occasion. But winning is the only thing that matters."

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Prendergast admitted there could have been times, on the big screen and on out TVs, that 'it might have looked like I was a little bit flustered' but he was generally calm throughout the match. "You can't control everything," he noted.

Asked about Munster outhalf Jack Crowley still keeping the heat on, for that Scotland game, the Kildare native commented, "There's not too much of a rivalry. We work together pretty well."

"Me and Jack get along really well and Ciarán Frawley as well. 1os do a lot of kicking together; on the off days, you do a lot of kicking together, so it'd be quite awkward if you didn't get along. We all travel in the same car to kicking and travel home. We all get along very well and give ideas to each other whether it be in training or meetings. It's good to learn off each other."

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There was also praise for one of his biggest rugby idols, Johnny Sexton, was has been in to camp to work with the Ireland 10s.

"Johnny's mind was his most powerful asset," he said.

"There's a lot to learn off him, and I still have a lot to learn."

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SEE ALSO: Jack Crowley Was Placed In A Tricky Position By Having To Do Ireland Media Duties This Week

SEE ALSO: Ireland vs. England: All The Biggest Moments, Talking Points And Player Ratings

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