Seven Munster Rugby players named on Emerging Ireland squad to face Pumas

SEVEN Munster Rugby players have been named on the Emerging Ireland squad to face the Pumas in the opening game of the three-match South African tour, which kick's off tomorrow evening at 3pm Irish Time. 

Munster's Alex Kendellen will captain the Irish side one of the three former Ireland U20 captains in the squad alongside his Munster colleague Evan O’Connell and Leinster’s Gus McCarthy, who are both named on the bench.

Kendellen will be joined by province teammate Mark Donnelly in the pack while Ben O’Connor and Sean O’Brien start in the backs. Ronan Foxe, Evan O’Connell and Ethan Coughlan will start on the bench for Simon Easterby's side.

Hugh Gavin lines up alongside Sean O’Brien in midfield, with Matthew Devine partnering out-half Sam Prendergast at half back. 

Ireland Sevens Olympian Zac Ward is named on the left wing in a pacy-looking back three alongside Rob Russell and Ben O’Connor who starts at full-back.

In the pack, Mark Donnelly starts at loosehead prop in a front row which includes hooker Stephen Smyth and tighthead prop Jack Aungier. 

Harry Sheridan and Darragh Murray are named at second row, with Kendellen joined by Cormac Izuchukwu and James Culhane in the back row.

Ulster duo Jack Murphy and Jude Postlethwaite are named amongst the replacements bench which includes 19-year-old loosehead prop Alex Usanov, Connacht’s Sean Jansen and prop Ronan Foxe, while Ethan Coughlan provides scrum-half cover.  

Looking ahead to the game at Toyota Stadium, Easterby said: "The Pumas will present a real test, coming as it does in the first of three games in seven days. They’re a physical team who have come off a competitive Currie Cup campaign."

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).