Tyler Bleyendall: Leinster 10s will get their opportunities

Leinster coach Tyler Bleyendall says the province’s fly-half’s will all get their chance as the battle for the starting 10 jersey continues.

Since the retirement of Johnny Sexton, the preferred option for Leinster at 10 has been Ross Byrne, with his brother Harry often the back-up.

However, when given the opportunity at 10 with both Leinster and Ireland, Ciaran Frawley also impressed, while often being used at inside centre and full-back.

There is also the emerging Sam Prendegast, who has generated a lot of excitement in his time with the Ireland U20s, while Charlie Tector showed against Edinburgh what he is capable of.

Speaking ahead of the game against the Dragons on Friday, Bleyendall says it is important they perform when given their chances throughout the season.

“It has got its challenges, it is about trying to upskill them all in the way I am trying to think and see the game and how we are trying to play as a team.

“When they get their opportunities in training or in the matches in the weekend, they put their best foot forward.

“At the same time, they all have their own experiences, and they have won big games for Leinster, and they will get their opportunities sometime throughout the season, and I am sure they will be ready.

“It can be difficult, but there is always a chance during training because we are working with two groups on the field. If you are not in the matchday squad, you are in the opposition squad, and you have got a chance to still execute your core skills to drive that group around.

“If you are trying to make an impact or finish off the bench, you have got a role to play in how you manage that, it is a skill in itself.”

As Leinster got their season underway with a win in Edinburgh last Friday, much of the attention was on Sam Prendergast in the number 10 jersey.

Having impressed with the Ireland U20s in 2023, Prendergast made the step-up to the Leinster first team, and was also included in the Ireland squad to South Africa in the summer.

It is likely to be a big season for Prendergast, who will get more and bigger opportunities for Leinster and Ireland.

Bleyendall, who played at 10 for Munster in his playing career before being forced to retire due to injury, has been impressed by what he has seen so far.

“Sam had a great game. He controlled us around the field, he put us in a great position to win the game.

“Just a great individual skill set, but he helped other guys perform well. It was a solid performance from Sam.”

For Leinster, they will hope the addition of Bleyendall will help them get over the line in the final stages of the season, after three years of heartbreaks in finals.

Since retiring in 2020, the former fly-half has been coaching the Hurricanes in New Zealand, and also came up against Ireland in the World Cup when he was part of the backroom team with Tonga.

After a message from Leo Cullen, Bleyendall says it was an easy decision to return to Ireland.

“I got a message from Leo one day to see what I was up to and what my interest might be, and the communication just grew from there.

“It is always pretty exciting when a club like Leinster says there might be an opportunity. I think it is a no-brainer when it comes to the opportunity, but also with a young family in mind, and the trip that involves, there were a few considerations.

“It would be great to settle in; the longer you are in a place, the more you can grow and connect with the players. All the experiences experience I can hopefully use going forward with Leinster.”

Sourse: breakingnews.ie