By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2024-11-28 17:09:00 | Updated at 2024-11-28 19:52:55
2 hours ago
Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v Australia
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 30 November Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds, live text and commentary on the BBC Sport website and app
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says Sam Prendergast "deserves" another start at fly-half after selecting him ahead of Jack Crowley for Saturday's Autumn Nations Series match against Australia.
Crowley had established himself as Farrell's first-choice following Johnny Sexton's retirement but Prendergast has been retained for the Wallabies game after making his full debut in last week's win over Fiji.
"I thought he played pretty well," Farrell said of 21-year-old Prendergast.
"He has trained pretty well over this autumn series as well so there's another chance to lead the week and grow in that manner and obviously the opportunity to play in a big game along with a good side behind him.
"For the likes of himself and Gus McCarthy [who made his debut against Fiji] and a few others, you combine all that and it kicks them on from the future."
Munster's Crowley played every minute of Ireland's Six Nations campaign and started the two summer Tests in South Africa.
He kept the 10 jersey for this month's defeat by the All Blacks and win over Argentina before Prendergast was given the chance to impress against Fiji.
Prendergast, who has only eight senior starts under his belt for Leinster, shook off an early yellow card against the Pacific Islanders to guide Ireland to a 52-17 win with five successful conversions and an assist for one of Mack Hansen's tries.
"Jack's played very well for us for a good while now, played in a lot of big games as well so we know as far as that's concerned what we've got," added Farrell.
"Although there's a lot of improving to be had and to be seen with Jack and Ciaran Frawley.
"It's pretty similar to Conor [Murray]. He's an unbelievably trusted member of our staff as is Jack. Craig [Casey] played well, he deserves the chance to play in a big game [as scrum-half cover] also so it goes throughout the squad.
Saturday's game, which has been arranged to celebrate the Irish Rugby Football Union [IRFU]'s 150th anniversary celebrations, pits Farrell against his predecessor Joe Schmidt, who took over as Australia boss in January.
Schmidt won three Six Nations titles and secured a first win over the All Blacks in six years as Ireland boss after a successful stint in charge of Leinster.
Farrell said Schmidt "deserves all the accolades and probably more" for his "phenomenal" achievements with Ireland.
"He's the most successful coach in Irish rugby when you look at his time overall in Dublin.
"We've got a lot to thank him about and I think it's a nice story that we get to celebrate this game alongside him."
Farrell added: "I'm very grateful for that opportunity to Joe and David Nucifora [former IRFU high performance director] for bringing me over here.
"On top of that, the experience I gained under Joe, seeing how he does it on the inside has been invaluable to me and everyone who's been coached by him. That's a privilege.
"Coaching against him with New Zealand, that wasn't as high profile because he wasn't the head coach but it was because you could see his DNA all over that anyway.
"We've been here before a little bit, when he comes back to these shores it's a little bit different because he should be celebrated for everything he's done for Irish rugby."
