Sam's a superstar
Leinster’s Sam Prendergast celebrates scoring a try in the win over Bristol Bears in Round 1 of the Investec Champions Cup at Ashton Gate Photo: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
Suncroft’s Sam Prendergast cemented his status as the up and coming star of Irish rugby with a magnificent display as Leinster began their Champions Cup campaign with a 35-12 away win against Bristol Bears.
Despite his hectic autumn period with the international side, culminating in his first senior start in the win against Australia last weekend, Prendergast was pitched into the starting line up by Leo Cullen for Leinster’s first European game of the season. The Head Coach was rewarded for that brave call as Prendergast went over for two tries and converted all five tries as Leinster began the campaign with a bonus point win.
Eadestown’s Jimmy O’Brien also played the full game.
Much of the attention for the game centred on All Black Jordie Barrett making his debut off the bench, RG Snyman was also introduced in a devastating show of squad strength, but Prendergast made sure it was his name in the headlines.
Leinster fell foul of a fussy referee during the first half and had to endure a spell with 13 players on the pitch following the sinbinning of Ronan Kelleher and Max Deegan and their backs were up against the wall when the home side went 7-0 ahead with still seven minutes of Leinster at a numerical disadvantage.
But Leinster showed superb composure and Jordan Lamour reached a Prendergast kick for Leinster’s first try of the game to ensure a 7-7 score at half time.
With their big guns introduced off the bench, Leinster played some scintillating stuff in the opening 25 minutes of the second half. Prendergast scored tries either side of debut effort by Barrett and then Josh Van Der Flier touched down for Leinster’s fifth as Bristol struggled to cope with the onslaught. Prendergast converted all those tries to bring his tally to 20 for the evening.
That was the end of the scoring for Leinster and a late consolation try for the home side did nothing to take the shine off a wonderful Leinster, and Prendergast, display and they will look to carry that on in Round 2 against Clermont in the Aviva Stadium next Saturday.
