Emerging Ireland tour will not impact URC, says chief executive

EMERGING TALENT: Ireland’s Gavin Coombes and Craig Casey celebrate beating the Maori All Blacks. Pic: INPHO/Billy Stickland

United Rugby Championship boss Martin Anayi is confident the upcoming Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa will not impact on the integrity of his competition.

The four Irish provinces are set to be without a number of first-choice players when Ireland defence coach Simon Easterby leads a 35-strong team of 2023 World Cup hopefuls to Bloemfontein later this month to play three Currie Cup sides in nine days, starting on September 30.