OUT-HALF OF THIS WORLD

McGrath praise for Blues pal Sam

- MICHAEL SCULLY

LUKE MCGRATH insists his Leinster team-mate Sam Prendergast is a “world-class” out-half in the making.

Prendergast's selection at No.10 ahead of Munster's Jack Crowley in the first four rounds of the Six Nations divided opinion as Ireland's march towards a Grand Slam was blown apart by eventual title winners France in the penultimate round.

After making his Test debut in November, the out-half turned 22 during the cham- pionship and Blues scrum-half McGrath acknowledges that Prendergast remains a work in progress.

But he says there was plenty of evidence over the last six weeks to show that his team-mate will be vital to Ireland's hopes of success in the years to come.

"For someone involved in his first Six Nations I thought he did brilliantly," remarked McGrath. “I've played with him a couple of times this year and he will be a world-class player.

“He knows himself he has work to do but you could see how talented he is and I'm sure there will be more to come from him.”

McGrath was speaking from South Africa, where table-toppers Leinster have travelled for the URC double-header against Bulls and Sharks.