Ronan O’Gara admits that he was wrong about Sam Prendergast hype

"I didn’t see what the Leinster fuss was."

Sam Prendergast had a breakthrough European performance last Sunday, in what was his first Champions Cup start.

After a stuttering first-half from the province, they let loose in the second 40, with Prendergast scoring tries with fine finishes, as the cavalry off the bench helped beat Bristol Bears into submission.

As a young talent in Irish rugby, naturally, there was always going to be hype around the Kildare man, and this has been multiplied given the team he plays for and his position.

He has been highly scrutinised on social media by opposition fans, but showed up well for Ireland during the recent Autumn Nations Series, setting set up what will be a fierce battle for the Ireland No 10 jersey with Munster's Jack Crowley.

Ronan O'Gara makes Prendergast admission

As one of the best out-halves to ever grace the field for Ireland and Munster, Ronan O'Gara has given Prendergast a blessing of sorts, and gracefully admitted that he was a bit late to the hype train.

In his column for the Examiner, O'Gara wrote: "I now see where all the hot air about Sam Prendergast is coming from. I thought the Leinster lad was one of the best players of the Champions Cup opening round, and his best moment was a drilled spiral that went out on the full. With that in the locker, it’s a big weapon to have.

"But there’s so much more to him. I didn’t see what the Leinster fuss was, but I get it now even though the vibes coming from Irish camp for the autumn series were this guy has it. Well, I remained a doubter, even if my body of evidence was shallow.

"My bad. Those bearing witness have seen him Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and they clearly know what they know. The rest of us are beginning to see it now, how coaches get what we don’t."