Andrew Goodman backs Sam Prendergast to lead on Emerging Ireland tour

Andrew Goodman believes Sam Prendergast's experience with the senior team in South Africa will benefit Emerging Ireland on their tour of the country.

Leinster out-half Prendergast travelled with Andy Farrell's squad for two Tests in July but didn't see any game time, with Jack Crowley and Ciarán Frawley the preferred options for the series that ended in a draw.

Still uncapped, the 21-year-old Kildare man appears to have usurped team-mates Ross and Harry Byrne in the international pecking order and Goodman, who switched from the Leinster coaching staff to Ireland before the tour, believes he will kick on.

Emerging Ireland have three games in seven days in Bloemfontein starting against the Pumas on Wednesday, 2 October, before taking on Western Force and the Cheetahs.

"To come away to South Africa was a great experience for him," said Goodman of Prendergast, who started on his 19th Leinster appearance as they beat Edinburgh in their BKT URC opener last weekend.

"He wasn't there to make up the numbers, he was pushing hard every training.

"It was great for him to build another level of understanding around how the Irish team plays the game and also for him to get confident as the 10, calling the shots.

"We expect him to come in after that experience and lead this team around.

"I thought he had a good start on Friday night in terms of some of the ways he drove the Leinster team around, he'll be looking to kick on on this tour and put his name forward for future Leinster fixtures."

Prendergast had a stellar underage career with Ireland, helping the Under-20s to the Grand Slam in 2023 and reaching the final of the World Championship.

Emerging Ireland captain Alex Kendellen said he has been impressed with his rise up the ranks.

"I just met