'I'll be forever grateful for that phone call' - Cian Prendergast's sliding doors moment that made him a Connacht star

It's just under two years since Cian Prendergast found out there wouldn't be a place for him in Leinster's academy setup.

Having played for Ireland U20s in the 2020 Six Nations prior to its cancellation due to Covid-19, Prendergast didn't make the cut for the few available spots in the following season's Leinster intake. His Irish U20 coach Noel McNamara was then the province's academy chief.

Connacht's academy manager Eric Elwood pounced within a few days though, and from there Prendergast hasn't looked back.

"It's probably been the best thing that's ever happened to me," he told RTÉ Sport.

"I got that phone call from Eric Elwood over the original lockdown, which seems like ages ago. I think it was April 2020 when he rang me and it was probably the best phone call I've ever gotten.

"I'll be forever grateful for that phone call. Everyone's been so accommodating and willing to work with me, it has been incredible for me."

Connacht have a track record of polishing diamonds in recent years, but Prendergast has the potential to be one of their great pieces of business.

The versatile forward, who only turned 22 last week, has been ticking off the boxes at high speed in his 23 games of professional rugby to date.

After linking up with the Connacht academy in the summer of 2020, he made his debut off the bench that October in a win away to Edinburgh, before a Heineken Champions Cup debut followed a couple of months later.

The Kildare native made 10 appearances last season and was named Academy Player of the Year, before being given a senior deal in the summer.

He's been almost ever-present in Andy Friend's team this season, forming a consistent partnership with Conor Oliver and Jarrad Butler in the back row, scoring his first try for the