Irish fly-half contenders 'pushing each other'

Sam Prendergast, Ciaran Frawley and Jack Crowley will battle it out to start for Ireland in the summer

The three contenders for Ireland's starting fly-half jersey for the summer tour have a "very good dynamic", says coach Mike Prendergast.

Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast have been been battling for the starting 10 shirt since the latter's debut in November, while Ciaran Frawley is a further option at fly-half.

Ireland, who will be led by Paul O'Connell in the absence of British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell, face Georgia and Portugal in two Tests on 5 and 12 July.

"In terms of what I've seen so far, they're pushing each other," said attack coach Prendergast.

"I always speak about being competitive and getting the best out of each other.

"The way you get the best out of each other is being competitive. From what I've seen, there's a very good dynamic there."

With 15 Ireland players involved with the Lions tour of Australia, and captain Caelan Doris ruled out by injury, Munster scrum-half Craig Casey will lead a youthful Ireland squad for the first time this summer.

Prendergast, who works day-to-day with Casey at Munster, believes the 26-year-old has "all the qualities" to be a good leader.

"It's great to have him as one, within the squad, and two, as a captain," coach Prendergast said.

"He's full of energy and he's a student of the game.

"Guys will listen because he's a guy who is incredibly diligent, he's all over his stuff and you always want people to follow that."