2019 Rugby World Cup places at stake for new generation

Ireland’s new generation of Test players have been put on notice that this month’s Test series against the Springboks could determine their pathway to the 2019 World Cup.

With frontline figures such as Johnny Sexton, Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony absent through injury from this first tour to South Africa since 2004, Joe Schmidt’s side have an uphill battle to create history and win an away Test against the Boks.

Forwards coach Simon Easterby believes fly-half Paddy Jackson and the other inexperienced tourists primed to replace the big guns can make their mark in this three-Test series and secure their positions in the squad as Ireland progress towards Japan in three years.