Next gen 10s to take centre stage for years to come

So long the preserve of Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell, with a side of George Ford, this afternoon's Ireland v England clash throws four young out-halves into the mix in what could be a fascinating narrative for years to come.

The old guard have moved on. Sexton retired after the 2023 World Cup, Farrell is in France toiling with Racing and Ford has dropped down the pecking order.

That’s 340 tests caps out of the picture, with 67 between the four 10s today.

While Jack Crowley and Ford started last season’s encounter, both men have made way for younger guns with Sam Prendergast and Marcus Smith first to draw pistols today.

Prendergast, just 21 and winning his fourth cap, got the nod ahead of Crowley, who had appeared to establish himself quickly as Sexton’s replacement.

He started all eight games after the former Ireland skipper retired and won a Six Nations and drew a series in South Africa.

Interim head coach Simon Easterby expects the 25-year-old Munster man, who has 19 caps, to push Prendergast and play a big role in this tournament, as the champions bid for an unprecedented three-in-a-row.

The similarities between Prendergast and Sexton are unmistakable. Prendergast, as he saunters back into position after a play, looks like a man who is running towards a bus he’s not sure he wants to get.

He has quickly moved up the fly-half pecking order at Leinster, usurping Ross Byrne, Harry Byrne and Ciarán Frawley in half a season.

There’s a lot to be said about playing behind a pack that can afford to bring RG Snyman off the bench but, even taking that into consideration, Prendergast looks the part.

His two tries against Bristol in the Champions Cup demonstrated a fine turn of pace and nose for the line. He’s not afraid to try unlikely