Defensive Concerns: Ex-Lion Fitzgerald Urges Farrell to Overlook Prendergast for Lions Tour
According to Luke Fitzgerald, a former British and Irish Lions back, Sam Prendergast’s defensive struggles should rule him out of consideration for the upcoming tour to Australia. Speaking on The Left Wing podcast, Fitzgerald expressed his concerns about Prendergast’s ability to tackle and contribute to the team’s defence. As reported by Planet Rugby, Fitzgerald’s comments have cast doubt on Prendergast’s potential selection for the Lions tour.
Prendergast, a 22-year-old fly-half, has had a remarkable rise to prominence in recent months, becoming a starter for both Leinster and Ireland. His performances in the Six Nations were impressive, but he was heavily criticised following Ireland’s home defeat by France. Although he returned to Leinster and starred in their Investec Champions Cup victories over Harlequins and Glasgow Warriors, his defensive frailties were exposed in the semi-final against Northampton Saints. As Planet Rugby previously reported, Prendergast’s defensive struggles have raised concerns about his suitability for the Lions tour.
Fitzgerald believes that Prendergast has a "serious issue" with his defence, which he claims will only worsen if not addressed. "He’s got a problem with his feet, he’s way, way too far away from all his contacts," Fitzgerald said. "His secondary work, aside from his initial hit, is just not good enough – he’s not staying in the fight long enough." As quoted in the Planet Rugby article, Fitzgerald emphasised that Prendergast’s defensive issues are a major concern, stating that he would "never ever pick someone who doesn’t tackle."
Fitzgerald pointed to a specific moment in the second half of the Northampton Saints match, where Prendergast slipped off the tackle and complained to the referee instead of getting back into the defensive line. "It kind of looked like Leinster had a poach but the referee let it go," he said. "He’s on the Northampton side of play, on his arse with his hands up, complaining to the referee when he should be getting back into the defensive line." According to Planet Rugby, this incident highlighted Prendergast’s lack of understanding of the game’s defensive aspects.
Prendergast has been fast-tracked through the Irish system, overtaking Jack Crowley as the national team’s first-choice fly-half. However, Fitzgerald insists that Crowley is currently a better player, stating that he would have Crowley ahead of Prendergast. "I’ve been very clear from the start on this, Crowley is a better player for me at the moment," he said. "I would have Crowley there ahead of him. He’s got beautiful hands, lovely skills, but if you can’t tackle, I’m never picking him – simple as." As reported by Planet Rugby, Fitzgerald’s comments have sparked a debate about Prendergast’s potential selection for the Lions tour.
The Lions squad will be announced on May 8, and it remains to be seen whether Andy Farrell will consider Fitzgerald’s comments when selecting the team. With Prendergast’s defensive struggles still a major concern, it is uncertain whether he will be included in the squad. As Planet Rugby previously noted, the Lions tour to Australia will be a significant challenge for the team, and defensive solidity will be crucial to their success.
In conclusion, Luke Fitzgerald’s comments have highlighted the concerns surrounding Sam Prendergast’s defensive abilities. As the Lions squad announcement approaches, it will be interesting to see how Andy Farrell addresses this issue. Will Prendergast be given a chance to prove himself, or will Fitzgerald’s concerns prove too great to overlook? Only time will tell. According to Planet Rugby, the debate surrounding Prendergast’s selection will continue to unfold in the coming weeks.
