Leinster stormed into the semi-finals of the Champions Cup with a ruthless 52-0 dismantling of Glasgow Warriors on the Aviva Stadium — and Franco Smith reserved particular reward for fly-half Sam Prendergast after the match.
The 22-year-old was instrumental because the Irish province ran in eight tries, kicking 5 conversions and delivering a measured all-round efficiency in entrance of over roughly 23,000 supporters. Regardless of going through the crew sitting immediately beneath them within the URC desk, Leo Cullen’s males dominated each aspect of the sport.
The win books a last-four conflict with both Northampton or Castres.
Smith – whose aspect may provide little resistance as soon as Prendergast and Leinster acquired into their rhythm – was candid in his admiration for the younger playmaker when requested by RugbyPass for his tackle the teen’s efficiency.
“I’ve a son who is identical age as him [Franco Smith Jnr] who performed within the World Cup in South Africa [World Rugby U20 Championship], final yr or the yr earlier than and I already noticed his [Prendergast’s] qualities there,” the Glasgow boss mentioned.
“He’s enjoying in a really, excellent crew. I feel they make it straightforward for him. To have Jordie Barrett and Gibson-Park either side of you and high quality of the forwards providing you with that go ahead, and it offers permission for him to orchestrate, and he does that actually, rather well.”
Whereas Jordie Barrett was the primary focus of the post-match plaudits, Prendergast was Leinster’s puppet-master extraordinaire.
He laid on a strive for Hugo Keenan with a deft first-half kick and drew a penalty strive when his chip compelled Adam Hastings right into a deliberate knock-on. It was a really completely different image to the nightmare he endired simply weeks beforehand on the identical pitch, when he was painted because the villain in Eire’s 42-27 Six Nations’ loss to France.
“He’s coming alongside properly. He’s needed to be taught the exhausting method generally however he’s slotted in so properly, you may’t see the distinction from one other participant. I feel he’s progressing rather well,” Smith added.
