Johne Murphy: "Sam can do stuff that no other ten can do in Ireland"
Kildare's Johne Murphy gives his unique insight into the county's players in the Six Nations. Photo: INPHO/Tom Maher
Head Coach Andy Farrell has named three Kildare men in his starting lineup for today's Guinness Six Nations clash away to England, with Jamie Osborne and Jeremy Loughman retained from the win over Italy last week as Tadhg Beirne comes into the back row having started on the bench against the Italians.
Sam Prendergast, however, is out of the number ten jersey - and out of the 23 entirely - while his older brother Cian is out in the cold for a second week in a row, despite starting against France in the opening round.
Rathangan's Johne Murphy - formerly of Munster and Leicester Tigers, current Head Coach at AIL side Naas and Director of Rugby at Newbridge College - spoke to The Kildare Nationalist this week and gave his appraisal of the situation for each of the five Kildare players.
"It's difficult to put into words without getting quite angry with some of the stuff that Sam's come under fire for. He's a 22/23 year old - he's only learning his trade.
"Some of the online stuff is shocking - and that's both for Jack (Crowley) and himself. There's been this narrative created by a lot of the rugby public that is, you know, you're in, you're out, you're in, you're out. Look, we like people talking about our game, but it has to be done in the right fashion.
"Sam is probably just lacking a bit of confidence at the moment, and I'd say probably the first half in France was a fierce test for him and probably something that he might not have ever experienced before. So that's going to really, really stand to him.
"For me, you saw a Crowley-Prendergast axis working really well for 20-25 minutes against France. And we looked very dangerous in that; I always felt that Sam is probably most dangerous when there's a second ball player and an out-and-out ball player.
"I would have loved to see (Sam) play maybe with Ciarán Frawley at full-back or 12, or Jack at 12 or Jack at full-back, and see how they can, not compete with each other, but actually, dovetail together in the right way."
Murphy coached the young fly half during his time at Newbridge College and there is certainly a sense of sentiment from Rathangan man surrounding his former players.
"Sam can do stuff that no other ten can do in Ireland. That's the reality - I've seen it before. For him, it's about making sure that his consistency of those involvements are where they need to be.
"Knowing him as well as I do and as personally as I do, I have no doubt that he'll be back bigger, stronger and better. I just wish that some people would drive in behind him and fight for him and push for him from a public perspective.
"For me, it can be a bit frustrating. It can be a bit tall poppy syndrome. You know, you build someone up to then try and drag them back down. But that's part of the game. It's a professional sport. You see what some of the soccer players and different things have to go through.
"That's par for the course. And he has to learn from his playing mistakes, the feelings that he gets on the pitch and learn to accept them and be better. And get his consistency where I personally know where it is.
"I have no doubt that he has the talent to be the starting 10 for a long, long time for Ireland; and I look forward to seeing that from him."
Cian Prendergast was unceremoniously dropped last week, despite playing well from the start against France; and having missed the Italy game he has also been omitted from the 23 to face England.
"Cian is probably unlucky to miss out," Murphy said. "I thought he was (one of our better players against France), he did a lot of that kind of solid donkey work at six; he's a very good line-out operator. I think he's quite unfortunate - but then I suppose it was his Six Nations start.
"When you listen to what Johnny (Sexton) spoke about during the week, that they were getting a bit of flack about being heavily reliant on a certain number of guys throughout the four-year block. So I do think that there's going to be a number of opportunities over the next nine months before they probably set out in stone 33 they're going to bring to the World Cup.
"So there is probably a bit more interchanging going on within the set-up. And you look at the team again this week, Cormac Izuchukwu is very unlucky not to be involved. He had a fantastic game last week (starting at blindside in place of Cian Prendergast); he and Ryan Baird are a similar enough profile in terms of their line-out ability, their pace and power in those wider channels. And it seemed like having an extra back on out there at times."
With Ryan Baird out injured, Andy Farrell has selected his third different starting six in this year's championship, as Tadhg Beirne starts in the back row alongside captain Caelan Doris and the returning Josh Van Der Flier.
"Tadhg is about as reliable as it gets," Murphy said. "He's been one of the best players in the world over the last two to three years.
"He brings a wealth of knowledge in the lineout, his breakdown is probably one of his biggest points of difference in terms of his ability to turn over the ball.
"That's going to be really, really important against an English side that, if you look at all their stats and the amount of times they generate two-, three-second ruck ball - I know they still do kick a lot off that - but the ability to slow their ball down is going to be huge to try to get a result on Saturday."
Injuries to Andrew Porter, Paddy McCarthy and Jack Boyle ledft a huge void at loosehead prop, but that has been well filled over the first two games by Jeremy Loughman.
"Jeremy's done really well," Murphy said. "He's taken his chance in the front row and fair play.
"Jeremy is probably as close to hybrid as you'll get, very similar to what Joey Carbery is. You know, started out in Athy and then went to Blackrock College for fifth and sixth year. And that kind of move can really stand to players."
Having not played a single minute since his injury in November, Jamie Osborne has come back in to Ireland camp and made himself a crucial part of the team.
"Jamie is probably one of the guys within the system that really bucks the curve in terms of his full youth progression," Murphy said.
"He has only ever played youths, minis and club rugby and Naas, and then gone on to do what he's done. I think that just shows the quality that he has.
"It is starting to change with the investment that Leinster are putting into those youth players now; from a training age perspective, it can be quite hard. So, for him, he's been exceptional. He is an incredibly quality rugby player. His ability to cover ground, to know where the ball is going to end up.
"And then his versatility is a huge asset to any squad that he's in. And, you know, even when everyone is fully fit, I think the ability to go, you know, to have him as your guaranteed number 23, where he can cover 12, 13, wing and full back, just gives you a versatility that not a lot of people can give you.
"And he opens up the other side of the pitch with his left foot, and it's a fairly massive left foot as well. So, I think, yeah, Jamie is an exceptional player. He's been a small bit unlucky with the injuries and timing of some of those injuries that he's picked up over the last number of years. But, you know, to see him play for the Lions and play as well as he has done for Ireland, you know, it's a real credit to him."
