Ireland name team for Emerging Tour opener against the Pumas
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Men in green.
Emerging Ireland have named their team for Wednesday’s tour opener with the Pumas in Bloemfontein at the Toyota Stadium.
Munster’s Alex Kendellen captains the side at seven in a back-row alongside Ulster star Cormac Izuchukwu, and Leinster’s James Culhane.
Sam Prendergast starts at fly-half with Matthew Devine his halfback partner. Olypimic 7s star Zac Ward, who is on trial with Ulster, starts on the left wing.
Rob Russell starts on the other wing with Sean O’Brien and Hugh Gavin partnering in the centre.
Emerging Ireland vs Pumas
15. Ben O’Connor
14. Rob Russell
13. Sean O’Brien
12. Hugh Gavin
11. Zac Ward
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Matthew Devine
1. Mark Donnelly
2. Stephen Smyth
3. Jack Aungier
4. Harry Sheridan
5. Darragh Murray
6. Cormac Izuchukwu
7. Alex Kendellen (c)
8. James Culhane
Replacements: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Ronan Foxe, Evan O’Connell, Sean Jansen, Ethan Coughlan, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite
Emerging Ireland Tour Fixtures:
Wednesday, 2 October: Emerging Ireland v The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time
Sunday, 6 October: Emerging Ireland v Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time
Wednesday, 9 October: Emerging Ireland v The Cheetah, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time.