Sam Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu are the notable inclusions for the first game of Emerging Ireland’s tour of South Africa against the Pumas tomorrow.
The pair are the only two members of the squad to have been involved on the senior Ireland tour of South Africa last summer, and start at out-half and blindside flanker respectively.
Captain Alex Kendellen is also included in the back row, while there’s a start for Ulster’s Zac Ward on the left wing, with the Ballynahinch man continuing his interesting conversion back from the Sevens game.
Connacht’s Jack Aungier is picked at tighthead prop by Simon Easterby, and is joined by Munster’s Mark Donnelly and Leinster’s Stephen Smyth in the front row.
Ulster’s Harry Sheridan and Connacht’s Darragh Murray get the nod at lock. Both have enjoyed extensive first-team rugby for their provinces in the last two seasons.
Leinster’s James Culhane starts at number 8, flanked by Izuchukwu and Kendellen.
Prendergast is joined in the half-backs by Connacht scrum-half Matthew Devine, while his fellow Connacht man Hugh Gavin is alongside Munster’s Sean O’Brien in the centre.
Ward (below) starts on the left wing with Leinster’s Rob Russell on the right, and Munster’s Ben O’Connor completes the side at full-back.
On the bench, Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy is included after his impressive performance for the province in last Friday’s win over Dragons, with Ronan Foxe and Alex Usanov the other front row replacements.
Former Ireland U20 captain Evan O’Connell and Connacht back row Sean Jansen will cover second and back row on the bench, with Munster’s Ethan Coughlan and Ulster pair Jack Murphy and Jude Postlethwaite completing the replacements.
Easterby’s side will take on the Pumas at 3pm on Wednesday, before facing Western Force on Sunday, and completing their Toyota Challenge against the Cheetahs on Wednesday 9 October.
