Ireland have survived a scare from Matt Sheratt's rejuvenated Wales side and escaped Cardiff with a 27-18 win in round three of the Six Nations.
While the dream of a three-peat and Grand Slam live on, it was far from plain sailing for Ireland who through a mistake-ridden performance and a Garry Ringrose red card gave Wales no shortage of opportunities to usurp them.
That said, Wales scored just one penalty and one try in the second half, with both scores coming against a fourteen-man Ireland side. While that second half try did eventually prove inconsequential, Rob Kearney and Shane Horgan were left with both questions about the legitimacy of the try and Sam Prendergast's role in it.
Prendergast himself enjoyed a mixed outing that saw him enjoy some real moments of magic and score 17 of Ireland's 27 points, but also saw a slew of uncharacteristic kicking errors and some defensive frailties detract from what could've been a solid performance for the Leinster outhalf.
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Rob Kearney pinpoints moment Sam Prendergast 'inexperience' Showed
While at a glance Prendergast appears to miss a crucial tackle that led to Tom Rogers crossing the line for Wales' second try, both Shane Horgan and Rob Kearney felt the 22-year-old had been obstructed in tackling Blair Murray.
The pair were speaking on Virgin Media's post-match coverage when they made the observation. Although Kearney was in little doubt Prendergast had seen his access cut off, the Leinster and Ireland legend claimed that an 'inexperience' affected Prendergast had to make a foul of the obstruction and draw the referee's attention to it.
And a bit of inexperience too, you know as a player in three or four years time he hits Faletau, throws his arm up in the air, it was crossing but he needs to make more of a meal out of it.
Former Ireland wing Shane Horgan shared a similar sentiment. While he too had suspicions of crossing he also felt Prendergast had to either show the referee he was being obstructed or do better with the tackle.
You could potentially get done on crossing there and Sam Prendergast may have an argument for it, but Sam I think actually has to do one of two things there; he actually has to be taken out by Faeltau and show that he’s taken out or he has to make the tackle.
While Prendergast will undoubtedly be forced to review his defensive work after Saturday's outing, the 22-year-old did plenty right too. Kicking Ireland to a third victory on the bounce in this tournament and coming up with some crucial plays including a 50:22 in the game's most heart throbbing moments.
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