Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Emerging Ireland’s squad opening game on their tour of South Africa.
Simon Easterby’s men take on the Pumas at 3pm Irish time, and we’ll bring you all the action as it happens in Bloemfontein.
Here’s a reminder of how Emerging Ireland line out today, with Munster’s Alex Kendellen captaining the side.
Emerging Ireland:
- 15. Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
- 14. Rob Russell (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
- 13. Sean O’Brien (Clontarf FC/Munster)
- 12. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
- 11. Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens)
- 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
- 9. Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
- 1. Mark Donnelly (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
- 2. Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
- 3. Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
- 4. Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster)
- 5. Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
- 6. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
- 7. Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)(captain)
- 8. James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Replacements:
- 16. Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster)
- 17. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
- 18. Ronan Foxe (Garryowen FC/Munster)
- 19. Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
- 20. Sean Jansen (Connacht)
- 21. Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
- 22. Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster)
- 23. Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster)
If you’re looking for some pre-game reading, our match preview is available in full here.
The big challenge of a tour like this is getting everyone on the same page quickly. The group gathered in Dublin this day last week and the coaches have loaded them with information in a bid to get them familiar with the pressures and demands of an international camp.
With three Ulster players and four each from Connacht, Leinster and Munster in the starting 15, there is a good spread of talent from across the provinces on display. There is no shortage of running threats in the side, but the setpiece battle could prove testing.
6mins: Emerging Ireland 0 Pumas 0
Ireland under some early pressure from the Pumas, but a boost for the tourists as they win a scrum penalty under their own posts, with Jack Aungier getting the plaudits from his teammates.
9mins: Emerging Ireland 0 Pumas 0
Ireland have a scrum just inside the Pumas 22 and from there, they move the ball quickly to Sam Prendergast, who sends a kick wide in the direction of Zac Ward. It’s a nice idea but the ball bounces out of touch before Ward can reach it.
TRY! Emerging Ireland 5 (Ward) Pumas 0
15mins: Emerging Ireland 5 Pumas 0
Emerging Ireland have the first try of the game, and it’s Ulster man Zac Ward with the score. Ireland move the ball quickly through the hands and get it wide to Ward, who beats three defenders to score. Sam Prendergast sends his conversion attempt wide.
19mins: Emerging Ireland 5 Pumas 0
Ireland under pressure on their own tryline but they turn the ball over through Stephen Smyth. Really good defence from Simon Easterby’s team, but the Pumas are making a lot of errors.
A reminder that the game can be streamed live on IrishRugby+ here.
25mins: Emerging Ireland 5 Pumas 0
Ireland dealing well with the Pumas’ physicality so far. During a big defensive set, Mark Donnelly smashes into his opposite number, Etienne Janeke, before Emerging Ireland win another jackal penalty.
TRY: Ireland 10 (Murray) Pumas 0
29mins: Emerging Ireland 12 Pumas 0
Emerging Ireland extend their lead, with Darragh Murray crossing from close range after taking a short pass from Cormac Izuchukwu under the Pumas’ posts. It’s neat work from the Ireland forwards allround. Prendergast adds the extras and Emerging Ireland lead by 12.
TRY: Emerging Ireland 12 Pumas 5 (Msenge)
32mins: Emerging Ireland 12 Pumas 7
The Pumas strike back, Tino Swanepoel using his pace to break the defensive line before sending Lundi Msenge over. Clinton Swart adds the conversion.
TRY: Emerging Ireland 17 (Izuchukwu) Pumas 7
40mins: Emerging Ireland 19 Pumas 7
Try number three for Emerging Ireland, and this time it’s Cormac Izuchukwu. From a scrum in the Pumas 22, Ireland get quick ball again and there’s no stopping Izuchukwu from close range. Prendergast converts and that it will be it for the first half.
HALF TIME: Emerging Ireland 19 Pumas 7
TRY: Emerging Ireland 22 (Smyth) Pumas 7
43mins: Emerging Ireland 22 Pumas 7
A really positive start to the second half for Emerging Ireland. A pick-and-go from Harry Sheridan sees the big lock race for the line before finding scrum-half Matthew Devine, who quickly pops the ball basketball-style to Smyth, who scores out wide. Prendergast can’t add the extras from a tough conversion attempt.
46mins: Emerging Ireland 24 Pumas 7
The Pumas go close but Sean O’Brien does really well to prevent Ntsika Fisanti scoring in the corner. Great defence from the Munster centre.
55mins: Emerging Ireland 24 Pumas 14
The Pumas score and it’s all about speed, moving the ball out quickly to fullback Tino Swanepoel, who uses his pace to burst between two defenders and score. The conversion is good and the Pumas have cut the deficit to 10 points.
TRY: Emerging Ireland 29 (McCarthy) Pumas 14
60mins: Emerging Ireland 29 Pumas 14
Leinster’s Gus McCarthy finishes at the back of a strong lineout maul. Jack Murphy can’t add the extra two from the tee.
71mins: Emerging Ireland 29 Pumas 14
Into the last 10 minutes here and Emerging Ireland looking fairly comfortable, if perhaps a little gassed as the clock winds down. Matthew Devine currently getting some treatment on the pitch, but looks as though he’ll be ok to continue.
TRY: Emerging Ireland 29 Pumas 19 (Swart)
74mins: Emerging Ireland 29 Pumas 19
The Pumas get one back through Eduan Swart, who muscles between two defenders to score. Clinton Swart can’t convert, so Emerging Ireland lead by 10 with six minutes to play.
TRY: Emerging Ireland 36 (Penalty try) Pumas 19
77mins: Emerging Ireland 36 Pumas 19
A penalty try for Ireland, and Phiko Sobahle is sent to the bin. Emerging Ireland had a three-on-one as James Culhane tried to spin a pass wide, with Sobahle sticking a hand out and knocking the ball on, leaving the referee with a straight-forward decision. That should be the game for Emerging Ireland, and the Pumas will see out the game with 14 players.
TRY: Emerging Ireland 36 Pumas 24 (Swanepoel)
80mins: Emerging Ireland 36 Pumas 24
Tino Swanepoel gets his second after a nice flowing attack from the Pumas. Swanepoel had all the space in the world, and the Pumas take the conversion quickly.
FULL TIME: Emerging Ireland 36 Pumas 24
