Ireland’s fitness supremo Aled Walters has disputed the notion that Sam Prendergast needs to bulk up to fulfil his vast potential.
The 21-year-old out-half has been the story of Ireland’s fast start in the Six Nations and will be pivotal in realising the team’s dreams of a third Grand Slam in eight seasons.
Critics have questioned Prendergast’s physical readiness for the Test game, with questions about his robustness in defence.
Man of the match Ireland’s fly-half Sam Prendergast on the field after the Six Nations international rugby union match between Scotland and Ireland. Pic: ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP
But Walters, the highly-regarded head of athletic performance that the Irish game took from England’s RFU last year, is convinced that the Leinster playmaker is already physically equipped for whatever is thrown at him.
‘I think the challenge will be, the more rugby he plays now it’s going to be harder for him to develop physically,’ said Walters.
‘That’s why I’m so confident in him that he is very well developed. It’s a massive reflection of the work they do at Leinster that a player of 21 comes in and he is in physically great condition to go and play Test match rugby.
‘Because of his appearance, he’s quite lanky, quite thin, people think he is fragile, but I don’t see it myself.’
Sam Prendergast, right, and Hugo Keenan of Ireland celebrate at the final whistle of the Six Nations match between Scotland and Ireland. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Prendergast is part of a squad that was in relatively rude health considering they played two gruelling matches in eight days, but the revelation yesterday that Caelan Doris could miss the trip to Cardiff this weekend casts a significant shadow – although it is hoped he’ll be fit for the visit of France with the benefit of another fortnight to recover.
Joe McCarthy hasn’t played in the championship yet because of a head injury he sustained in one of Ireland’s final pre-tournament training sessions, but trained last week, as did Mack Hansen, who withdrew the day before the Scotland game with a hamstring niggle.
A player long considered vital is Tadhg Furlong, who is not expected to be fit for the trip to Cardiff in five days’ time. Hamstring and calf issues have wrecked his season. He has played three matches for Leinster, the last a 48-minute showing in the win away to La Rochelle in the second week of January but he was injured again training before the Six Nations.
While Finlay Bealham has deputised capably, the fear is Furlong’s ongoing absence will eventually catch up with the team, most obviously at home to
France’s power-packed scrum on March 8. Walters was comfortable that the correct approach has been taken with Furlong.
Tadhg Furlong of Leinster Rugby looks on during the Leinster Rugby Captain’s Run and press conference ahead of the Investec Champions Cup Final against Stade Toulousain. Pic: Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images
‘Look, it happens,’ he said. ‘We’ve a very good relationship with Leinster, everything is done hand in hand.
‘The thing with Tadhg as with every player, you have to be aggressive. We’ll patch up a player and say, “Go out there and play Test rugby and be ready for it”.
‘We’ve been aggressive with him. Sometimes he’s broken down, sometimes he’s been strong. The more aggressive we are with him, and we agree on the best plan, I’ve no qualms that he’ll be out playing Test match rugby and at the provincial level as well pretty soon.’
When Walters was hired last August, there was no attempt within the English system to mask their disappointment. His expertise is prized throughout the professional game, but he was also hugely popular with the players. His ties to Borthwick were significant, too, with Walters having been in charge of Leicester’s physical preparation when they won the Premiership under Borthwick in 2022.
Head of athletic performance Aled Walters during an Ireland Rugby media conference at the IRFU High Performance Centre in Dublin. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The Welsh native is vastly experienced, having worked with the South African team in their World Cup-winning campaign in 2019, as well as spending six seasons at Munster earlier in his career, and his ties to this country were strengthened by marriage to Róisín, who is from Clare.
Walters has been impressed with the quality of player in the Ireland squad, mentioning Hugo Keenan’s inexhaustible running capacity and his ability to cover the back field, and the power in contact of Bundee Aki and James Lowe.
But he also singled out a player who may not be an obvious athletic specimen.
‘Someone like Mack Hansen has an incredible ability,’ said Walters.
‘I haven’t seen many players like this. I remember when I first arrived in Munster and Keith Earls was similar. I saw this ability to maintain speed while changing direction and it’s beautiful to watch.’
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