Back rower Alex Kendellen is pictured leading out the Emerging Ireland team for their tour opener against the Airlink Pumas on Wednesday ©INPHO/Steve Haag Sports/Darren Stewart
Super Rugby Pacific opposition is next up for Emerging Ireland, as Simon Easterby’s young guns test themselves against Western Force in today’s second tour match in Bloemfontein (kick-off 1pm local time/12pm Irish time – live on SuperSport Rugby/irishrugby+).
Sunday, October 6 –
EMERGING IRELAND v WESTERN FORCE, Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time (live on SuperSport Rugby/irishrugby+)
Team News: Emerging Ireland opened the series with a 36-24 victory over the Airlink Pumas on Wednesday, and head coach Easterby has freshened up the matchday squad for their second outing at Bloemfontein’s Toyota Stadium
Captain Alex Kendellen, one of only two players retained in the starting pack to face the Australian side, is joined in the back row by Sean Jansen and Alex Soroka.
Cormac Izuchukwu, a try scorer against the Pumas, shifts to the second row alongside Conor O’Tighearnaigh, while Alex Usanov (19) and Ronan Foxe pack down either side of Leinster’s Gus McCarthy, who also scored during the tour opener, in a new-look front row.
Sam Prendergast retains his place at out-half, but will be partnered this time by Munster’s Ethan Coughlan. There is another new combination in midfield where Hugh Cooney and Jude Postlethwaite pair up.
Sean O’Brien shifts to the left wing in a back-three which will see first appearances of the tour for full-back Andrew Osborne and Ireland Sevens Olympian Chay Mullins, who was a try scorer against the Pumas during the 2022 tour.
Jack Aungier, a starter in midweek, will be joined by Danny Sheahan and Ulster tighthead Scott Wilson as the front row replacements, with Munster youngsters Evan O’Connell and Sean Edogbo the other forward reinforcements.
Leinster pair Cormac Foley and Charlie Tector are poised for their first appearances of the tour, and Connacht’s Hugh Gavin, who started last time out, will provide ball-carrying impact if he is introduced.
Meanwhile, new recruit and Wallabies lock Darcy Swain comes into the Western Force team for the first time, featuring in the second row alongside his ex-Brumbies team-mate, Sam Carter.
Acting Force head coach Will Eggleston has made four changes from their impressive 38-23 midweek triumph over the Cheetahs, during which former Leicester Tigers centre Harry Potter starred with two tries in a player-of-the-match performance.
Prop Tom Robertson will be back in the Force blue for the first time since his ACL injury in 2023, having jetted into camp following Wallabies duty.
Front rower Harry Hoopert and Australia Under-20 representative Ronan Leahy will also start, with the latter lining out on the left wing. Mac Grealy reverts to the full-back position as part of a back-line reshuffle.
EMERGING IRELAND: Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster); Chay Mullins (Connacht/Ireland Sevens), Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster), Sean O’Brien (Clontarf FC/Munster); Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster); Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster), Ronan Foxe (Garryowen FC/Munster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster), Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster) (capt), Sean Jansen (Connacht).
Replacements: Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht), Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster), Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster), Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht).
WESTERN FORCE: Mac Grealy; Justin Landman, Harry Potter, Sio Tomkinson, Ronan Leahy; Max Burey, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa; Harry Hoopert, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Sam Carter, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Reed Prinsep (capt).
Replacements: Tom Horton, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Titi Nofoagatotoa, Henry Robertson, Coby Miln, Divad Palu.
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen (South Africa)
Pre-Match Quotes – Simon Easterby (Emerging Ireland): “The squad has really embraced the opportunity to represent their country since our arrival in South Africa, and we are expecting another big step up on Sunday.
“Western Force got off to a flyer on Wednesday night against the Cheetahs, and it is clear that they are a well-drilled side with a lot of quality.
“The earlier kick-off time presents a new challenge, but this is exactly the kind of test we want for the squad. We have freshened up the team this weekend, with a number of replacements from the midweek game getting their first starts, and there are other new faces coming into the panel for the first time.
“This freshness will give the squad some energy and there has been a good intensity to training, which I’m pleased about. The players are focused and excited about Sunday’s game, and we’re hopeful of further signs of progression.”
Harry Potter (Western Force): “It’s a really positive trajectory at the moment. Management are certainly turning things in the right direction.
“Some great new signings. The club is really on the up. It’s a great place to be and I’m very fortunate to be here. I think the forward pack, we’ve made some great signings.
“Darcy Swain, he’s a Wallaby who has come over from the Brumbies. Nick Champion de Crespigny has come from France, he’s going to bring a real physical presence. Nic Dolly as well, who has been playing in the UK.
“I think they’re going to really bolster our forward pack and make us a physical and powerful team up front. They showed their worth in the game against the Cheetahs.”
Pre-Match Links –
Emerging Ireland Score Six Tries In Opening Victory Over Pumas
‘Everyone Showed Up Really Well’ – Easterby On Emerging Ireland’s Tour Opener
In Pics: Emerging Ireland Captain’s Run
Previous Meetings –
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