Ireland’s ‘master of control’ buoyed by Murrayfield win

Sam Prendergast’s impressive display helped Ireland win the game 10 shirt at Murrayfield on Sunday, but he is staying level-headed as the hype mounts.

Prendergast, 21, had not played an away fixture for Ireland before Sunday and was winning just his fifth cap in a team filled with experience.

But he looked as comfortable as any player in green, scoring 12 points while orchestrating the attack through an impressive range of passing, kicking and decision-making.

Speaking on the BBC’s television coverage, legendary Irish out-half Ronan O’Gara showered praise on the Leinster youngster, labelling him a “master of control”.

“]Prendergast has] been one of the shining lights, one of the three best performers on the pitch”, O’Gara said after Ireland’s powerful first-half display put them 17-5 ahead.

“He’s very composed, a good kick strategy, good decisions on when to run, when to kick, when to play the ball in front of his forwards.

” He’s been a master of control. “

A smiling Prendergast insists he did not “feel like O’Gara’s description” while consciously focusing on the team’s quick start. However, he was pleased to be given a nice compliment from a very good player.

With the exception of Simon Easterby’s team, who has won the Grand Slam, Prendergast has helped Ireland win back-to-back Six Nations victories over England and Scotland in the past four Tests.

Prendergast was strong off the tee and in open play at Murrayfield despite being preferred to Jack Crowley, who had a few kicks against England.

” I wanted to do better than I did last week, “he added.

The shot clock was good, even though I was a little more used to it once more.

Prendergast, a softly spoken player, focused on his own accomplishments in a cramped corridor in Murrayfield’s midst instead of focusing on the “world-class” players around him.

” You look at the backs outside me and in terms of the managing the game, the help I get, there’s a lot of world-class players in that backline.

It’s unbelievable to be a part of, and it’s a lot simpler than what the forwards are giving us from the bench and starters.

Scotland cut the lead to six points thanks to two Blair Kinghorn penalties and a Duhan van der Merwe try.

But Prendergast insists there was no panic in the Irish ranks, even during Scotland’s resurgence either side of half-time.

“We had some good first half breaks, not particularly fortunate ones, but they did some things.”

Prendergast could win a Triple Crown in his third Six Nations appearance, with a trip to Wales following Ireland on February 22.

However, he is still not interested in milestones or silverware.

” I was just focused on this game. The only experience I have of the Six Nations before this is in the under-20s, but in terms of building game to game, it’s quite similar.

You simply need to continue to enjoy each game. I’m not too focused on milestones, I’m just focused on getting better each week.