Prendergast was seen with a heavily strapped leg in training earlier this week but attack coach Andrew Goodman played down any injury concerns on Tuesday.
After being preferred to Crowley for the win over Australia in November, Prendergast started all four of Leinster’s Investec Champions Cup pool games, scoring two tries against Bristol at Ashton Gate.
However, Saturday will be by far the biggest game of the Kildare native’s career as he will be expected to orchestrate Ireland’s attack against an England side who won last year’s encounter at Twickenham.
“We’ve enjoyed some competitive [training] sessions and it wasn’t easy selecting a squad for this week’s game given the quality of those who haven’t made the final 23,” said Easterby.
“Credit to those who missed out on selection for this game, there was obvious disappointment but they all stepped up brilliantly to help prepare the team this week.
“England are a talented squad with quality across their panel and we know that we will need to hit the ground running to deliver a winning performance.”
Easterby said McCarthy will miss the game in Dublin after a “nasty blow” to his head in training on Wednesday.
“It’s a real disappointment for him and the team but he’s good now,” he added.
“It was a rugby collision and innocuous, just a really unfortunate set of circumstances and someone’s head landed on his head.
“It was a nasty blow but he’s come round well.”
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