Andy Farrell on the key area Sam Prendegast needs to improve on
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Work to do.
The battle for the Ireland number 10 shirt continues this weekend, with Leinster’s Sam Prendergast set to start against Australia.
Jack Crowley wrestled the jersey off Prendergast largely thanks to his performance for Munster against Leinster in the inter-pros, starting the defeat to New Zealand, and last weekend’s win against Japan.
But it’s over to Sam this weekend, and Andy Farrell has revealed that Sam is fully aware that his defence is something he will need to work on going forward.
“He’s honest. He knows where he’s at himself and it’s a work in progress,” Farrell said when asked about Prendergast’s defence.
“He continues to work hard at it and it will continue to grow.”
While it’s hardly time to start panicking, Farrell hasn’t been afraid to criticise his team’s performances in recent weeks, and as far as he’s concerned, honesty is the best policy.
“Too honest and blunt? I feel like I am sometimes,” Farrell added.
“I always think if you’re not being honest, how are you helping people to grow? I think you have to say it is as it is; otherwise, people ultimately don’t trust you as much.
“We’re always trying to chase some potential, probably that we don’t realise ourselves really, and that’s pretty exciting for us. So we’ve got to hold ourselves accountable to do that – otherwise, what’s the point?”
Ireland face Australia at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night, with a kick-off time of 8:10pm local.
