Sam Prendergast has been the surprise package of the 2025 Six Nations from an Irish perspective but the 22-year-old out-half has largely impressed in pressurised circumstances during the tournament.
Inexperienced in Test rugby, the Leinster youngster was backed ahead of Munster's Jack Crowley to conduct the Irish attack and has started all three of Ireland's wins thus far.
Having only donned the Irish jersey for the first time last year, many had expected Crowley to be entrusted with the starting duties but Prendergast's attacking prowess has seen him get the nod.
He had a decent day in the tight win over England, before putting in a stellar showing against Scotland in round two.
His composure from the kicking tee, where he has been considerably more clinical than Crowley, has been evident and proved crucial in Ireland pulling away from Wales in their hard-fought win in Cardiff.
His performance under pressure from a revitalised Welsh team however, was his toughest task thus far, despite kicking consecutive penalties to see out the win.
Defensively, Prendergast was found lacking and it could well be an area that France will look to exploit when they take on Ireland in a massive round four meeting on March 8.
Sam Prendergast stat concern for Ireland
Prendergast missed eight tackles in the win in Wales, struggling against the opposition in an area where Crowley has thrived in the past.
Crowley, like Prendergast, plays a creative game and flat to the line, but it is his defensive work that has proved equally valuable for Munster and Ireland in the past.
Prendergast, who is likely to bulk up in the next couple of seasons as he hits his mid-20s, has missed 15 tackles in total during the tournament.
For context, no player has missed more tackles than the U20 Grand Slam winner at this juncture.
As highlighted by Planet Rugby on Twitter, Prendergast is outright in first with England's Alex Mitchell trailing two behind on 13.
☘️ Sam Prendergast tops the missed tackle chart this Six Nations.
✍️ @BMcGilligan97 on why Ireland must drop the fly-half v France.
READ: https://t.co/1fuHw2keEU pic.twitter.com/teUvvka37Y
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 27, 2025
Ireland will have to combat the marauding Antoine Dupont when France are in possession and there is no player who exploits space in midfield quite like the scrum-half.
Prendergast's defensive positioning will need to be up to standard if Ireland are to limit Dupont's attacking influence as he links the French attack.
How Ireland address this concern will be fascinating as they continue to chase a Six Nations three-peat.
