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.

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

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.

Ireland’s fresh charges have given coach Andy Farrell options to ponder for the autumn rugby closer against Australia after they comfortably handled Fiji 52-17 in Dublin.

Speaking on Virgin post match, Andrew Trimble was full of praise for Sam Prendergast and commended his ability to make eye-catching plays.

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,

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.

Ireland 52 Fiji 17 Gus McCarthy claimed a debut try and Mack Hansen touched down twice as Ireland set aside their unconvincing start to the autumn to ease to victory over Fiji in Dublin. Andy Farrell’s much-changed side were seeking an improved performance in their third outing of the month following a sobering defeat by New Zealand and a narrow

Ireland produced a flair-filled performance after two under-par displays to trounce Fiji 52-17 in their one-off rugby Test at Lansdowne Road on Saturday for their first back-to-back wins since February.