The Albany Gazette - Ireland's Prendergast says Crowley rivalry talk 'outside noise'

The build-up to double-defending champions Ireland's 27-22 bonus-point victory in Dublin on Saturday had focused on the interim head coach's decision to select Leinster stand-off Prendergast ahead of Munster No 10 Crowley in his starting side.

The 21-year-old Prendergast labelled his display against England as "mixed" while playing down the Ireland fly-half rivalry which, as in the case of the contest between Ronan O'Gara and Johnny Sexton, has an added edge given the two players represent rival provinces.

"The only pressure I feel is what is inside the group and inside me," said Prendergast. "Obviously you want to be the starting 10 for Ireland and Leinster. But I wouldn't be listening to too much outside noise or the pressure of that...You want to be starting but there is not too much of a rivalry between us."

Crowley, 25, played every minute of last year's Six Nations title-winning campaign following Sexton's retirement after the 2023 World Cup in France.

But he fell behind Prendergast in November and Easterby, deputising as Ireland boss while Andy Farrell is seconded to the British and Irish Lions, also has the option to select Leinster's Ciaran Frawley at fly-half.

"Me and Jack get along very well but there is also Frawls who we get on very well with also," said Prendergast.

"Tens do a lot of kicking together and when there's an off day and there's only the three of us kicking, it would be a bit awkward if we didn't get on.

"We travel in the same car to and from kicking. We give ideas to each other in training or in meetings."

Former captain Sexton, who had a strained relationship with O'Gara during his playing days, was called into the current squad's training camp to help Prendergast, Crowley and Frawley prepare for the championship.

"He's been very good, whether it's kicking or just general play," said Prendergast. "His mind was his most powerful asset a lot of the time when he played, so there is a lot to learn off him and I still have a lot to learn off him."

Prendergast's penalty on Saturday gave Ireland the lead for the first time in the match after he failed to convert tries by Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki.

Crowley subsequently added the extras after Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan crossed England's line before Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman went over to narrow the deficit for the visitors following Cadan Murley's early opener.

"It was mixed, personally; I thought the team played quite well," Prendergast said.

He added: "When England are coming here it is quite a big one and you want to win. That's all that really matters. Winning is the most important thing."

(A.Johnson--TAG)