Easterby out to plant seeds in South Africa as an important pathway re-emerges

With 35 players named for three-match Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa, next year's World Cup and the 2027 edition remain the focus

Stepping up: Ireland Sevens star Chay Mullins will return to South Africa as part of Guy Easterby's Emerging Ireland panel. Pic: INPHO/Travis Prior

It’s seven years since an Emerging Ireland side last got together and Allen Clarke’s lads claimed the Tbilisi Cup with a 33-point drubbing off Georgia. The silverware was nice but the long-term return on investment was the whole point of the affair.

Four of the players who featured in that decider had already won a handful of senior caps. Ten of the others from the matchday 23 earned promotion in the years to come with Andrew Conway and Jack Conan among the most decorated graduates.