It has been a whirlwind few months for Sam Prendergast and, at 21, he has been handed the No.10 jersey with Ireland's hopes of an unprecedented three-peat on the line. No pressure, then.

Simon Easterby, Ireland’s Interim Head Coach, has named his first matchday squad, for the highly anticipated Guinness Men’s Six Nations opener against England.

Simon Easterby's men are joint-favourites with France to retain their trophy but there are problems to solve in Ireland

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ireland flyhalf Sam Prendergast will start his first Six Nations game in Saturday's opener against England and marshal an almost full strength side as the holders bid to win a third successive title for the first time.