Ireland v Fiji - teams and prediction 

Yesterday at 03:12 AM

PREVIEW: Ireland rookie No.10 Sam Prendergast has been backed by Andy Farrell to be the general against Fiji this Saturday.

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The 21-year-old has earned his first start after showing admirable composure last Friday when he replaced Jack Crowley on the hour mark, as Ireland struggled to contain a plucky Argentina outfit.

Ireland went scoreless in the second-half but their 22 first-half points were enough as they held on to beat Argentina by 22-19, and Prendergast's performance had head coach Andy Farrell purring.

"I thought he was excellent," said Farrell.

"I thought he was really composed, playing your first cap in that type of position, that type of situation.

"He played at a nice tempo at the line and started to make things happen. That just shows what type of character he's got."

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It's too early to say whether he is the answer to fill the boots of the retired Johnny Sexton, who called time on his career following Ireland's 2023 World Cup quarterfinal exit to runners-up New Zealand.

The Fijians, though, will provide a stern test both physically and in terms of attacking flair - the latter quality something Prendergast would admire as it's been his trademark at Leinster and the successful Ireland U20 side.

Sometimes his desire to produce the unexpected has rebounded and it was a reason Farrell sent him on the recent Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa.

Prendergast were the only player to start all three matches and impressed Farrell.

"In his own mind he'd probably thought he's been ready for quite some time because he's that kind of kid, a confident kid," said Farrell prior to the Pumas Test.

"The reason for taking him on the Emerging tour was to make sure that he understood what it was to grab hold of his team and show that he is in charge.

"He showed that in abundance.

"In his own mind he's ready.

"He's going to make his mistakes, but that's the nature of anyone coming through."

Comparisons with Sexton will be inevitable, and they were already creeping up after his cameo appearance against Los Pumas.

Former Ireland and B&I Lions back Shane Horgan said his decision-making had reminded him of his former Leinster teammate.

"I love that, it's Sexton-esque, he caught the ball underneath his left shoulder and is ready to pull the trigger at exactly the right moment and he chose the right moment more often than not," Horgan said

Former Ireland flyhalf Tony Ward also saw something of Sexton in Prendergast.

"Sexton's greatest asset as a threat to the opposition was his willingness to take the ball where others feared to tread and then by way of timing and quality of pass open gaps close in and wider out," he wrote in Irish newspaper The Sunday Independent.

"It's very early days yet but certainly signs are of a similar tactical mindset in Prendergast."

However, others worry about his relatively light physique and believe that Crowley, who has been first choice since Sexton stepped down, is better suited to the rigours of Test rugby.

"At the minute, he [Prendergast] is too small," former Scotland international Jim Hamilton said.

"He's playing against Argentina and he looked physically out of his depth.

"Attack-wise, looked great.

"I'm not liking the criticism Jack Crowley is getting.

"He made a couple of errors in the game, but first-half I thought he was brilliant.

"Sam Prendergast will come through at some point.

"Everyone is talking about him but he ain't ready."

Meanwhile Fiji will be without the suspended Semi Radradra who's been replaced by Ponipate Loganimasi in one of three changes to the side that dispatched Wales a fortnight ago.

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Fiji coach Mick Byrne made wholesale changes for last week's hard-fought 33-19 away win to Spain.

Byrne has reverted back to his strongest available lineup, with the other two changes to the side that beat Wales seeing Mesake Vocevoce preferred to Isoa Nasilasila at lock and Luke Tagi replacing Sam Tawake at tighthead prop.

Flyhalf Caleb Muntz who impressed against Wales is entrusted again to pull the strings at Landsdowne Road.

Loganimasi gets an opportunity against Ireland after Radradra was sent off during Fiji's 24-19 win over Wales in Cardiff - Fiji's first victory over Wales in the Welsh capital.

Radradra was playing on the wing when the 32-year-old was initially shown a yellow card in the first-half for a shoulder-to-head tackle on Wales fullback Cameron Winnett.

The yellow card was later upgraded to a red card, with Radradra receiving a ban that ruled him out of both Fiji's matches against Spain and Ireland, their final fixtures of the November window.

An under-strength Fiji suffered a 17-57 thrashing at the hands of Scotland in their November opening clash.

They will now look to round out their European tour with a first victory over Ireland after their previous visit to Dublin ended in a 17-35 defeat two years ago.

Players to watch: 

For Ireland: There will definitely be eyes on Sam Prendergast in his first start for Ireland in combination with No.9 Craig Casey. Cormac Izuchukwu will bring a different dynamic to the usual Ireland backrow we're accustomed to see and recently nominated World Rugby breakthrough Player of the Year Jamie Osborne will be looking to challenge Hugo Keenan for the No.15 jumper.

For Fiji: The halfback combination of Frank Lomani and the impressive Caleb Muntz will be the key to unlocking a strong Ireland rush defensive system. The inside centre channel will be one where the pitch suffers when Josua Tuisova comes up against Bundee Aki.

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Prediction 

@rugby365com: Ireland by 22 points

Teams: 

Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Sam Predergast, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Cormac Izuchukwu, 5 Tadgh Beirne, 4 Joe McCarthy, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Gus McCarthy, 1 Andrew Porter.
Replacements: 16 Rónan Kelleher, 17 Tom O'Toole, 18 Thomas Clarkson, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Cian Prendergast, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ciaran Frawley, 23 Stuart McCloskey.

Fiji: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Meli Derenalagai, 5 Temo Mayanavunua, 4 Mesake Vocevoce, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Setareki Turagacoke, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Sireli Maqala

Date: Saturday, November 23
Venue: Landsdowne Road, Dublin
Kick-off: 15.10 (15.10 GMT; 03.10 Sunday, November 24 Fiji time)
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England) & Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)