EMERGING Ireland get their tour of South Africa underway this week with an opening Test against the Pumas.
Simon Easterby’s group of starlets face the Pumas in Bloemfontein before Tests against Western Force on Sunday and The Cheetahs next Wednesday.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the opening Test.
When is it on and what time is kick-off?
Emerging Ireland face The Pumas in Bloemfontein on Wednesday afternoon with kick-off at 3pm Irish time.
Where can I watch it?
The game will not be shown on Irish TV, but there are alternative ways of watching it.
The three-match Series will be shown live on SuperSport and will be available on IrishRugby+.
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What are the teams?
Simon Easterby named his starting Ireland team on Tuesday with Alex Kendellen captaining the side.
He is one of three ex-Ireland U20 captains in the panel, alongside Evan O’Connell and Gus McCarthy, both of whom are on the bench.
Sevens Olympian Zac Ward is named on the left wing in a pacy-looking back three alongside Rob Russell and Ben O’Connor who starts at full-back.
Emerging Ireland: Ben O’Connor, Rob Russell, Sean O’Brien, Hugh Gavin, Zac Ward, Sam Prendergast, Matthew Devine; Mark Donnelly, Stephen Smyth, Jack Aungier, Harry Sheridan, Darragh Murray, Cormac Izuchukwu, Alex Kendellen, James Culhane.
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Ronan Foxe, Evan O’Connell, Sean Jansen, Ethan Coughlan, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlewaite.
Pumas: Tina Swanepool, Lunde Msenge, Theuns Pretorius, Clinton Swart, Darren Adonis, Danrich Visagie, Richman Gora; Etienne Janeke, Jan-Henning, Sampie Swiegers, Hanno Theunissen, Deon Slabbert, Ntsika Fisante, Andre Fouche, Kwanda Dimaza.
Replacements: Darnell Osuagwu, Dewald Maritz, Eduan Swart, Tiaan de Klerk, Marvelous Mashimbyi, Russwill Fredericks, Wian van Niekerk, Phikolomzi Sobahle.
What has been said in the build-up?
Ben O’Connor is one of a number of names to watch when Emerging Ireland face The Pumas – with Munster teammate Calvin Nash backing him to shine.
The 19-year-old made his Munster debut against the Dragons earlier this year, having made the switch from hurling, with his last game for Cork being the 2023 U20 All-Ireland win.
He won his first cap with the Ireland U20s in the win over France in the Six Nations.
And Nash believes the UCC RFC clubman has the potential to be the next to make the step up from Emerging to Established.
The 27-year-old said: “I think he has massive potential.
“The way that he works on and off the field. I would love to see him do very well.
“He was one of the younger lads that was texting me, asking for any tips. He tries to get ahead the whole time.
“I think he is a great athlete and he has a great work ethic so I would love to see him do well.
“Obviously I would love to see everybody do well but, yeah, I think he is a great player.”
