Ireland issue update on their Sam Prendergast injury concern

Ireland have given an update on injury concerns surrounding fly-half Sam Prendergast ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations opener against England in Dublin. The 21-year-old sported strapping on his left leg as the reigning champions trained on Monday at their pre-tournament camp in Portugal.

Backs coach Andrew Goodman is confident Leinster playmaker Prendergast, who is competing with Munster’s Jack Crowley for the number 10 jersey, will be fit to feature at the weekend.

“Yeah, he trained fully today, just a little dead leg I believe. I’m sure he will be all right,” Goodman told reporters on Tuesday.

Maro Itoje speaks at the Men’s Six Nations launch in Rome

England captain Maro Itoje spoke to the media at the official Guinness Men’s Six Nations launch event in Rome and at the Colosseum.

Maro Itoje speaks at the Men’s Six Nations launch in Rome

England captain Maro Itoje spoke to the media at the official Guinness Men’s Six Nations launch event in Rome and at the Colosseum.

Prendergast made his debut as a replacement in the Autumn Nations Series win against Argentina before starting ahead of Crowley for the subsequent victories over Fiji and Australia. “It’s been a great couple of months for Sam,” added Goodman.

“Just the game experience he has managed to gather up both with Ireland – first with Emerging Ireland, then Ireland –  then some big Champions Cup games away to La Rochelle, home to Bath, so it has been a great period for him to get real game experience.

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“I know he valued the time at Leinster when he was training alongside the senior squad as an academy member, but to get out there and feel it for himself, there has been huge growth in his game.”

Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby, who is filling in for Andy Farrell during his time leading the British and Irish Lions, is set to name his maiden starting XV on Thursday afternoon.

Crowley has found form at provincial level since slipping behind Prendergast in the international pecking order, while Ciaran Frawley is also competing to be the long-term successor to the retired Johnny Sexton. “The three of them are all great lads, first and foremost, and they all work well together,” Goodman continued.

“They are competing hard on the field but the pleasing thing is you go back to the hotel and they are sitting around the computers together going through clips and they are driving the team well. It is great to see and I’m sure they will all have great Test careers ahead.”