Leinster’s out-half race is a wide open competition – Tyler Bleyendaal

The battle for the pivotal position is under way after Sam Prendergast was handed the start against Edinburgh on Friday with Ross Byrne coming off the bench.

Prendergast will link up with the Emerging Ireland squad this week, meaning Ross and Harry Byrne are the likely out-halves this weekend against Dragons with Ciarán Frawley expected back next week. Academy prospect Charlie Tector threw his hat in the ring with an outstanding performance at inside centre in Edinburgh.

Ross Byrne was the first-choice out-half for the biggest games last season, but Frawley and Prendergast were picked to tour South Africa with Ireland last summer, with Frawley nailing the winning drop-goal in the second Test.

The selection at No 10 is one of the biggest talking points hanging over the province this season and the new attack coach, himself an excellent out-half for the Crusaders and Munster, says he’s keeping an open mind.

“I don’t think there’s a defined hierarchy, no,” he said. “Each of…