| Sam Prendergast | |
| Birth Date: | 2003 2, df=yes[1] |
| Birth Place: | Kildare, Ireland |
| Weight: | 91kg (201lb) |
| Position: | Fly-half |
| Amatyears1: | 2009 to 2012 |
| Amatteam1: | Newbridge RFC (Ireland) |
| Amatyears2: | 2021- |
| Amatteam2: | Lansdowne |
| Years1: | 2022– |
| Clubs1: | Leinster |
| Apps1: | 5 |
| Points1: | 21 |
| Clubupdate: | 14 November 2023 |
| Repyears1: | 2022- |
| Repteam1: | Ireland U20 |
| Relatives: | Cian Prendergast (brother) |
| School: | Newbridge College |
| University: | TUD |
Sam Prendergast (born 12 February 2003) is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a fly-half for Leinster Rugby as of the 2022–23 season and represents Lansdowne in the amateur All-Ireland League.[2]
Prendergast attended Newbridge College in Newbridge, County Kildare where he played as a scrum-half before he had a growth spurt. He played in 2020 as the school secured a place in the Leinster Senior Schools Cup final against Clongowes Wood. However, the final was never played due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
Pendergast played his club rugby at Newbridge RFC (Ireland) and Lansdowne FC and joined the Leinster Rugby academy in 2022.[4]
Prendergast was selected for the Leinster first team in the United Rugby Championship against the Lions on Saturday April 15, 2023.[5] He was awarded player of the match for his debut performance which involved successfully kicking six out of seven attempts including a late penalty with the scores tied to secure the win for his side.[6]
He kicked a late long-distance penalty to clinch a series victory for Ireland under-20s over England over-20s in July 2022.[7] He kicked another late penalty in February 2023 as Ireland under-20s beat France under-20s in the 2023 Six Nations Under 20s Championship.[8] He was singled out for praise for his performances during the tournament.[9] Praise has also come from former Ireland international Andrew Trimble,[10] former New Zealand international Sonny Bill Williams,[11] and he was identified by BBC Sport as one of the stars of the 2023 under-20 Six Nations tournament.[12]
He was named in the Ireland squad for the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship held in South Africa in June and July 2023.[13]
He was selected for the 2024 Men's Six Nations squad[14] as a training panellist, alongside Munster players Oli Jager and Thomas Ahern. The three will not participate in any test matches during the 2024 Men's Six Nations, however they will be included in pre-tournament training camps.
Gerry Thornley in The Irish Times compared Prendergast with Stephen Larkham due to his “tall, languid style and passing range”.[15]
He is the younger brother of Connacht Rugby and Ireland Rugby international Cian Prendergast.[16]