Munster's Alex Kendellen to captain youthful Emerging Ireland squad

There are eight Munster representatives in the squad, while Leinster's Sam Prendergast and Ulster and Ireland Sevens player Zac Ward are also included.

WORTHY OF ROLE: Munster's Alex Kendellen will skipper the squad. Pic: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Munster back-rower Alex Kendellen will lead a 33-player Emerging Ireland squad for the three-match tour to South Africa, beginning later this month.

Head coach Simon Easterby, named on Tuesday as the interim Ireland head coach during Andy Farrell’s leave of absence to lead the British & Irish Lions to Australia from this December to next August, revealed his touring party for the development tour on Wednesday.

Described as a squad of high-potential players from across the four provinces, the Emerging squad features two of this summer’s uncapped senior tourists to South Africa, fly-half Sam Prendergast from Leinster and Ulster back-five forward Cormac Izuchukwu while skipper Kendellen has two of his successors as Ireland Under-20 captain in Leinster front-rower Gus McCarthy and Munster lock Evan O’Connell.

CHANCE TO SHINE: Munster's Ben O'Connor. Pic: James Crombie/Inpho

Multi-talented Munster full-back Ben O'Connor - formerly of St Finbarr's GAA - is also included. 

It will be Izuchukwu’s second Emerging Ireland tour having gone on the initial venture to South Africa in the autumn of 2022. Leinster back-rower James Culhane is the other player repeating the journey.

Leinster will have the biggest contingent boarding the plane for Bloemfontein on September 28 with 12 players, Munster will contribute eight, Connacht seven and there are six Ulstermen.

Emerging Ireland will face the Pumas in their campaign opener on Wednesday, October 2, (Kick-off 4pm local time/3pm Irish time), then meet Australian Super Rugby outfit Western Force on Sunday, October 6 (Kick-off 1pm local time/12pm Irish time).

QUALITY 10: Leinster rising star Sam Prendergast. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Easterby’s side will concludes the Tour against defending Currie Cup champions the Cheetahs on Wednesday, October 9 (6pm Irish time), with all matches to be played at Toyota Stadium.

The IRFU said: “The Tour schedule is designed to challenge the players in a National Team environment, providing them with a window to impress the coaches and train and play to the National Team’s tactical and technical approach, while presenting them with access to meaningful game time in a green jersey.”

Squad:

Forwards (18):

Jack Aungier (Lansdowne FC/Connacht), Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster), Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Connacht), Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster), Ronan Foxe (Garryowen FC/Munster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Sean Jansen (Connacht), Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)(captain), Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster), Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht), Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster), Conor O'Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster), Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster), Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Scott Wilson (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster).

Backs (15):

Shayne Bolton (Connacht), Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster), Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster), Tommy O'Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster), Sean O'Brien (Clontarf FC/Munster), Ben O'Connor (UCC RFC/Munster), Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster), Jude Postlethwaite (Banbridge RFC/Ulster), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Rob Russell (Dublin University FC/Leinster), Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens).

Fixtures:

• Wednesday, October 2: Emerging Ireland v The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time.
• Sunday, October 6: Emerging Ireland v Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time.
• Wednesday, October 9: Emerging Ireland v The Cheetah, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time.