IRELAND have dismissed any injury concern over Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast ahead of their clash against England.
The number ten carried heavy strapping on his left leg on Monday afternoon at their training camp in Portugal.
Ireland are based at ‘The Campus’ in Quinta Do Lago, which is a state-of-the-art performance centre used by some of the world’s top teams and athletes.
It has also high performance gym, tennis and padel courts, swimming pool, cycling, group classes and personal training, recovery suites and sports rehabilitation.
Simon Easterby leads the men in green ahead for their Six Nations opener against England on Saturday evening with Andy Farrell forced to take a sabbatical ahead of the 2025 Lions Tour of Australia.
And speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash against Steve Borthwick’s side in the Algarve, Ireland back’s coach Andrew Goodman dismissed any fears that Prendergast wouldn’t be fit for the huge clash before revealing the injury.
He said: “Yeah, he trained fully today, just a little dead leg I believe. I’m sure he’ll be alright.
“It’s been a great couple of months for Sam, just the game experience he’s managed to gather up both with Ireland – first with Emerging Ireland, then Ireland.
“Then some big Champions Cup games away to La Rochelle, home to Bath, so it’s been a great period for him to get real game experience.
“I know he valued the time at Leinster when he was training alongside the senior squad as an academy member but to get out there and feel it for himself, there’s been huge growth in his game.”
The 21-year-old is likely to start for Ireland, but Munster’s Jack Crowley would be able to step in if there’s any issues with the injury on Saturday.
Elsewhere, England have received a major boost ahead of their opening Six Nations clash against Ireland in Dublin.
Scrum-half Alex Mitchell is set to return for the Aviva Stadium opener in Dublin on Saturday.
The 27-year-old participated fully in training on Monday after recovering from a knee injury.
Steve Borthwick’s side are in Girona, Spain,ahead of their opening game in the Irish capital.
Mitchell missed the Autumn Nations Series due to a neck injury but now looks ready to face the defending champions.
The Northampton star’s availability will come as a major boost to under pressure Borthwick.
