Fiji head coach Mick Byrne suggested Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast escaped an early red card during his side’s defeat in Dublin because he was playing for the home team.

Ireland ease to victory against Fiji as Sam Prendergast impresses despite early yellow card - Ireland 52-17 Fiji: A rotated Irish side had too much quality for a sloppy Fiji in Dublin

Sam Prendergast was lucky to avoid a red card for a high tackle on his maiden Ireland start, according to Brian O'Driscoll.

On 58 minutes Prendergast dummied a long pass, then popped it short to Stuart McCloskey. Second’s later with his right shoulder almost touching the Fijian tackler’s chest, that patented pass again went wide shaving the noses of the opposition players pushing up and stuck with Frawley.

Sam Prendergast's first Ireland start was eventful right from kick-off when he came very close to being sent off just minutes into Saturday's Autumn Nations

A better disciplinary performance from Ireland would have been one of Andy Farrell's key objectives but an early yellow card for fly-half Prendergast, guilty of a cynical no-arms block on Fijian flanker Kitione Salawa,

While Sam Prendegast’s great strength is taking the ball to the line, this will draw some massive physical contact from the Fijians, who are experts at delivering “rib-tickling” tackles. Sam Prendergast’s physical and mental skills will be given an extensive examination. Welcome to the big time.

Ireland produced a clinical performance led by fly-half Sam Prendergast as they beat Fiji 52-17 in their Autumn Nations Series clash at the Aviva Stadium.