Sam Prendergast starts his third game of the tour at outhalf where he will be partnered by Cormac Foley
has made 12 changes and a positional switch to the side that beat Australian Super Rugby outfit Western Force 29-24 for the third and final game of their South Africa tour, when they face local Bloemfontein side the Cheetahs on Wednesday evening.
Wing Seán O’Brien , centre Jude Postlethwaite and hooker Gus McCarthy have been recalled by their provinces, while the physical legacy of a tough encounter with the Force, a match played in sweltering conditions, means that players like tour captain and man-of-the-match on Sunday, Alex Kendellen, and Cormac Izuchukwu have been rested.
Prop Alex Usanov, who only turned 19 in July, retains his place in a frontrow with Stephen Smyth and Jack Augier recalled to the starting team. Evan O’Connell gets a first start in the secondrow alongside Darragh Murray, while Harry Sheridan, Seán Edogbo and James Culhane, who will captain the team, form an athletic and bruising backrow.
Easterby said: “When we set out at the beginning of our pre-camp in Dublin, we knew about the challenge of facing three sides in a week and we knew that every player in the group would have the opportunity to play his part. To a man each player has given his all so far and we are aiming to finish off the series with another positive performance.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
James Culhane to captain Emerging Ireland for Cheetahs clashThe latest sports news from The42.ie in 60 seconds
Read more »
Ireland hopeful identified as the man to drive the Emerging Ireland team in SAAfter his experience in Andy Farrell's Ireland squad on the summer tour in South Africa, Leinster's Sam Prendergast has been tipped to shine on return there
Read more »
Easterby makes 11 changes for Emerging Ireland clash with Western ForceThe latest sports news from The42.ie in 60 seconds
Read more »
Alex Kendellen to captain Emerging Ireland squad on tour to South AfricaLeinster’s Sam Prendergast and Ulster’s Cormac Izuchukwu also included in the squad
Read more »
Emerging Ireland 36-24 Pumas recap as young stars impressEmerging Ireland impressed on Wednesday afternoon as they ran out 12-point winners.
Read more »
IRFU launch new streaming platform to cover AIL and Emerging Ireland fixturesThe latest sports news from The42.ie in 60 seconds
Read more »