Easterby keeps faith with Prendergast at fly-half

■ By PAUL REES

IRELAND have kept faith with outside-half Sam Prendergast who will make his first Test appearance outside Dublin against Scotland.

The 22-year old had a mixed match against England last weekend, targeted by the opposition back row and hustled into mistakes. He recovered to spearhead Ireland’s second-half revival and, after giving them the lead for the first time, was replaced by Jack Crowley.

Prendergast looked to play with width and was initially thwarted by England’s line speed with loose forwards covering the flanks, but stuck to his game.

Crowley’s control in steering Ireland home led to calls that he should start at Murrayfield, but interim coach Simon Easterby believes Prendergast will be better for the experience of last week.

No.10: Sam Prendergast

“Sam’s experiences have not always been perfect but unless you have them you cannot learn how to handle them,” said Easterby. “It is early days for him and keeping continuity is important.

“When Sam played away from home for Leinster he handled it pretty well. Jack was disappointed, as were a number of other players. He played well last week. The game had opened up a bit when he came on. He started every Six Nations match last year and we are trying to grow both of them.

“I’m not saying that we’ll keep that selection right through the championship, but this week we feel it is the right thing to do. Jack is so supportive and doesn’t let his own disappointment reflect in the way he trains. We are fortunate to have them both.”

Easterby has made three changes from the side that defeated England. He has brought the experienced Peter O’Mahony into the back row to replace Ryan Baird, who drops to the bench, while Robbie Henshaw will start in the centre at the expense of Garry Ringrose. Calvin Nash replaces Mack Hansen who has a hamstring injury.

The changes hint at a slight tightening up. O’Mahony and Henshaw are rugged, highly experienced players who were among nine of Ireland’s 23 today who were in the match-day squad when Ireland last lost to Scotland, at Murrayfield 10 years ago.

“It was a tough decision to leave out Garry,” said Easterby. “He was excellent last week but we wanted to share the workload. Robbie’s consistency of performance is a great thing and he goes about his business in an understated way.

“Peter has the ability to play big when it is needed, on the edge, and he leads by example. There is a different dynamic when he is involved.”

O’Mahony’s selection is a provocative act given the verbals he has had with Scotland over the years. “You’re not good enough to be a Springbok,” he barked at Duhan van der Merwe in the last World Cup.

“They were in the press beforehand saying they had figured us out and were going to knock us off,” Ireland’s then captain said after the match. “I don’t think they did.”