Farrell backs Prendergast to start at fly-half for Ireland's Nations Championship opener against Australia

Andy Farrell has backed Sam Prendergast to start at fly-half for Ireland’s Nations Championship opener against Australia in Sydney on Saturday, insisting the Leinster man has earned his selection after rediscovering his best form at the right moment.

Prendergast was preferred over Leinster club-mates Ciaran Frawley and Harry Byrne, with regular first-choice Jack Crowley ruled out of the tour through injury. The 23-year-old’s route to the starting jersey has not been straightforward — he slipped behind Byrne in the Leinster pecking order during a difficult season and had previously lost his Ireland place to Crowley — but a fine performance in the URC final against the Bulls helped change the picture.

“The way that he’s handled the last month is a credit to him in regards to taking responsibility for the shirt and his chance to build through those last few games and finish it off with a top performance in a big game in the final,” Farrell said. “He’s once again earned the right to do that.”

Prendergast’s older brother Cian is also in line to start, named at flanker at the Allianz Stadium alongside number eight Jack Conan. Farrell was equally effusive about the Connacht back-row’s progress over the past year.

“I think Cian has come a long way within his development over the last 12 months,” Farrell said. “He’s been outstanding for Connacht, so he deserves his start.”

Jamie Osborne has been selected on the left wing despite being more regularly used in the centre or at full-back for Leinster, getting the nod ahead of Zac Ward, Jacob Stockdale and Jimmy O’Brien. Farrell cited Osborne’s recent form, footballing intelligence and aerial ability as key factors in the decision.

“He’s a bloody good rugby player in whatever position he’s playing in,” Farrell said. “He’s a smart rugby player, pretty good in the air, good left boot — it all comes into the pot.”

Stuart McCloskey, one of the standout performers in Ireland’s Triple Crown-winning Six Nations campaign, has recovered from a hamstring injury to start in midfield alongside Garry Ringrose. Tom O’Toole starts at loosehead prop with Andrew Porter, Jack Boyle and Paddy McCarthy all unavailable.