Andy Farrell has issued a staunch defence of his out-half Sam Prendergast, ahead of Saturday's Quilter Nations Series meeting with South Africa (5.40pm).
Prendergast has been named to start in the 10 shirt for the meeting with the world champions, retaining his place in the side from last week’s 46-19 trouncing of Australia.
The Leinster out-half produced his best performance of the season at the Aviva as Ireland’s attack clicked into gear, while he was key to a kicking game that saw Ireland dominate the Wallabies in the air.
Question marks remain around the 22-year-old's defending, however, after he was bowled over by Len Ikitau for the first Australian try last week.
And Farrell was asked if he wanted to see more from his out-half in defence.
"I understand the question, and it's a question that obviously keeps popping up now, but I think Sam's ability as a fly-half far outweighs a work-on within his game," Farrell said.
"I thought he was tremendous last week.
"His skillset has been fantastic for all to see, and I think everyone needs to look through a little bit of a work-on, because everyone's got work-ons and will continue to have work-ons throughout, and that's up to us as coaches and the rest of the players to keep on working on them."
When pressed further on the work he was doing with Prendergast in this area of the game, the Ireland coach (below) appeared frustrated by the focus on that element of his game.
He said: "I understand your question again, but they're loaded questions, you know what I mean?
"Because then it's obvious that we have to talk about that. Your question could be asked about any single player throughout.
"Of course, we constantly talk to individuals about all aspects of the play. So, to think that we're just focusing on one aspect of one player is not right.
"For example, I spoke to our two leaders yesterday about certain aspects of their game. I'm talking about Caelan [Doris] and Dan Sheehan now, world-class players, and they agree with the work-ons.
"So, it is a constant throughout for every single member of every single squad in world rugby."
Farrell made four changes to his team for the visit of the world champions, with Andrew Porter, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Josh van der Flier all returning.
Robbie Henshaw joined Stuart McCloskey in picking up a knock, with the centre out due to a hamstring issue, while Paddy McCarthy and Jack Conan drop to the bench.
Munster’s Tom Farrell has been included in the matchday squad, earning his second cap despite being left out of the original squad for this window.
"It's been a big month for him, coming in to camp and getting his first cap and having a week or two to digest that," Farrell said.
"And we said when he was making his debut that he's been excellent, the difference compared to when he was in all those years ago is like chalk and cheese really.
"So that's continued and he'll be itching to get on and show what he can do in a big game."
Ireland and South Africa have developed a deep rivalry in the last eight years since Rassie Erasmus departed his post at Munster to take on the Springboks.
Ireland won narrowly when the sides met in Dublin in 2022, and they repeated that in the World Cup pool stage a year later, before the Springboks went on to lift the title.
They renewed that rivalry in the summer of 2024, splitting a Test series in South Africa 1-1.
And Farrell knows physicality will be a key factor once again this week.
The 50-year-oldl said: "It has to be a given, because if you don't show up with that frame of mind you're on the backward step straight away.
"It is an absolute given in any single Test match, that's for sure.
"But certainly it's highlighted even more so against the best team in the world at this moment in time and what is part of their DNA has continued to be part of their DNA throughout and it's only getting better; their collision work and their carrying in the contact areas.
"So if you don't turn up in that regard, you're in for a tough afternoon."
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Watch Ireland v South Africa in the Quilter Nations Series on Saturday from 4.30pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1
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