Andy Farrell announced his Ireland squad for the tour to South Africa earlier this week, with the head coach making a huge call at out-half.
Jack Crowley is now well established as the first choice '10', although there has been some jostling for positioning behind him. Ciaran Frawley currently seems second in line for the role, despite the fact that he rarely features there at provincial level.
As for the third out-half, that remains very much up in the air. Sam Prendergast was included for the tour to South Africa, being favoured over both Ross Byrne and Harry Byrne. This raised some eyebrows, especially when you consider that he is behind both players in the pecking order at Leinster.
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Could Sam Prenderdast Ireland decision affect Leinster?
At 21-years old, Sam Prendergast no doubt has a massive future ahead of him. However, there have been questions raised as to whether he is ready for consistent top level rugby.
There had been suggestions that he could join Connacht on loan next season, although that rumour has now been dismissed. Considering the province's issues at out-half could he be bumped up the pecking order next season?
Speaking on the RTÉ Rugby Podcast, former Munster player Johnny Holland suggested that Andy Farrell's decision to include Prendergast in his squad could force Leinster's hand in this regard.
It’s been a political animal really, the Leinster selections and how Andy Farrell sees it.
I saw something on X about Jack Crowley being put in [to Ireland squads] when he wasn’t the starting 10 at Munster and he wasn’t as far as I could see, and Andy Farrell decided that he was going to be his next out-half and that’s what forced the changes at Munster.
That’s what drove it and I think it’s the very same thing [at Leinster].
Jack Crowley was certainly thrown into the Ireland mix before he had properly established himself at Munster, a route that could now be followed by Sam Prendergast.
Considering the influence that the IRFU have at provincial level, you get the sense that Leinster could be asked to increase his playing significantly next season.
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