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Published 16:36 14 May 2026 BST
Updated 08:23 15 May 2026 BST

Leinster secured a comfortable victory over the Lions this weekend, however concerns remain over performance levels and in particular the highly scrutinised Sam Prendergast.
The out-half has been criticised in the past for his poor tackling, including earlier this month versus Toulon where Gael Drean got the better of the Kildare man. (You can see the failed tackle below).
Against the Lion's, Prendergast's defensive liabilities were on display again. The 23 year old was bullied out of the way by Siba Mahashe.
Although the try was ruled out and didn't have any consequences on the game, it highlighted an area of Prendergast's game that has not improved. (You can see the most recent failed tackle below).
"I'm toying between speaking exactly what I think and completely decimating someone or trying to be a bit more measured.
There's no weights that will fix that. There's no weights going to fix putting your arms together like that when you're going to tackle someone for the disallowed try...
It's disappointing. I just think there's no place for it in rugby. You can't hide someone like that, they will just always let you down.
I just really think it's a bad trait. I didn't like it when I saw it initially and I was really reserved. But now I made a commitment during the year that every time I saw something like I saw at the weekend, I'm calling it out for what it is...
I've seen these guys come and go. Weights doesn't fix that, there are some things that weights can fix and some they can't. You've got to want it and to be a winner.
I'm very worried about him. I thought the stick would change things."
Prendergast has continued to struggle for club and country. It was previously thought that bulking up would help him improve in the tackle. However, Fitzgerald has made his thoughts clear it is more of a mentality issue.
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