‘Emerging’ Ireland LiteAce Tour II '24 v Pumas Oct2 3pm, v WestForce Oct6 12pm, v Cheetahs Oct9 12pm

ionadnapóca

Game 1: v The Pumas

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, Wednesday, 2nd October (kick-off 3pm Irish time)

Ref: TBC

Game 2: v Western Force

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, Sunday, 6th October (kick-off 12pm Irish time)

Ref: TBC

Game 3: v The Cheetahs

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, Wednesday, 9th October (6pm Irish time)

Ref: TBC

Games streamed on www.irishrugby.ie

Forwards (18):

Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)

Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster) Mark Donnelly (Garryowen FC/Munster)

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) Chay Mullins (Connacht/Ireland Sevens)

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) Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)

Sean O’Brien (Clontarf FC/Munster)

Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)

Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster)

Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster)

Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)

Rob Russell (Dublin University FC/Leinster)

Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens).

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2024/09/24/emerging-ireland-squad-update-as-mullins-donnelly-tector-added-to-squad/

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2024/09/25/irfu-and-wiistream-line-out-for-new-streaming-partnership/

FtD v2

Chay Mullins replaced Tommy O’Brien, not Rob Russell. Russell was already in this squad (he’s in your list twice).

thePigeon_

Say what you want about this tour, I definitely won't be complaining about midweek rugby!

thePigeon_

Very tight schedule for a squad of 33 though. At minimum you'll have 13 players featuring twice in 5 days. Only a 4 day turnaround then between games 2 and 3. Pretty much guarantees everyone gets game time but I hope they all come through it without issues

ionadnapóca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122653972#Comment_122653972

cheers

poor old Tommy can’t catch a break!

ionadnapóca

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122654031#Comment_122654031

And it beats training in the pissings of rain

v’s

Playing on tour with the African summer sun on your face

Podge_irl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122654064#Comment_122654064

I'm sure the level of opposition will play a pretty hefty part in how tiring it will be

thePigeon_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122655191#Comment_122655191

Definitely makes a difference but you're still playing full contact matches against some big fast men. Still a good schedule from a spectators point of view so hopefully all goes smoothly.

icdg

The Western Force one is an odd one, I had to google and see that they’re doing their own tour of RSA, playing the Cheetahs and Western Province as well.

Muck Savage 2020

Team might look like this

Duggan Gus McCarthy Aungier

Izuchukwu Harry Sheridan

Edogbo Kendellen Culhane

Devine Prendergast

Russell Postlethwaite Gavin Ward

Ben O Connor

Subs: Danny Sheehan Donnelly Foxe Darragh Murray Jansen Ethan Coughlan Murphy SOB

Lost Ormond

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122655619#Comment_122655619

Not Really odd more their owners doing anything to get them playing since being axed from super rugby

pickarooney

The Western Force have been back in Super Rugby for a couple of years.

ionadnapóca

Griquas 7 Emerging Ireland 54 Friday 30th September

S Daly (Munster); C Nash (Munster), J Osborne (Leinster), S Moore (Ulster), R Baloucoune (Ulster); J Crowley (Munster), N Doak (Ulster); J Wycherley (Munster), T Stewart (Ulster), T Clarkson (Leinster); T Ahern (Munster), J McCarthy (Leinster); D McCann (Ulster), S Penny (Leinster), M Deegan (Leinster) (capt).

Replacements: D Barron (Munster) for Stewart 50 mins; M Milne (Leinster) for Wycherley 50 mins; R Salanoa (Munster) for Clarkson 50 mins; B Deeney (Leinster) for Ahern 57 mins; M McDonald (Ulster) for Doak 61 mins; J Hodnett (Munster) for Penny 65 mins; J Flannery (Ulster) for Crowley 67 mins; A Frisch (Munster) for Osborne 68 mins.

Yellow card: D McCann 26 mins.

Pumas 24 Emerging Ireland 28 Wednesday 5th October

C Mullins (Connacht); E McIlroy (Ulster), A Frisch (Munster), C Forde (Connacht), A Smith (Leinster); J Flannery (Ulster), M McDonald (Ulster); C Reid (Ulster), D Barron (Munster), R Salanoa (Munster); C Izuchukwu Ulster), B Deeny (Leinster); C Prendergast (capt), S Penny (Leinster), J Culhane (Leinster).

Replacements: D Tierney-Martin (Connacht) for Barron 48 mins; J Wycherley (Munster) for Reid 48 mins; S Illo (Connacht) for Salanoa 48 mins; D McCann (Ulster) for Prendergast 48 mins; B Murphy (Leinster) for McDonald 51 mins; T Ahern (Munster) for Deeny 64 mins; S Daly (Munster) for Mullins 73 mins

Cheetahs 14 Emerging Ireland 21 Sunday 9th October

S Daly (Munster); C Nash (Munster), J Osborne (Leinster), S Moore (Ulster), R Baloucoune (Ulster); J Crowley (Munster), N Doak (Ulster); M Milne (Leinster), T Stewart (Ulster), T Clarkson (Leinster); J McCarthy (Leinster), T Ahern (Munster); C Prendergast (Connacht), J Hodnett (Munster), M Deegan (Leinster) (capt).

Replacements: D Barron (Munster) for Stewart, J Wycherley (Munster) for Milne, R Salanoa (Munster) for Clarkson (all 46 mins); B Deeny (Leinster) for McCarthy, J Culhane (Leinster) for Deegan, B Murphy (Leinster) for Doak (all 62); J Flannery (Munster) for Moore (71).

6 Players played in all 3 games from 3534 man squad.

S Daly (Munster), T Ahern (Munster),  D Barron (Munster), J Wycherley (Munster), R Salanoa (Munster), B Deeny (Leinster).

Found it interesting at the time that they listed Osborne as a back three player.

Just Forwards/Backs split announced for this tour in a 33 man squad.

ionadnapóca

Loosehead prop:(2) Mark Donnelly, Jordan Duggan

Hooker:(3) Gus McCarthy, Danny Sheahan, Stephen Smyth

Tighthead prop:(3) Jack Aungier, Ronan Foxe, Scott Wilson

Second row:(5) Cormac Izuchukwu, Darragh Murray, Harry Sheridan, Evan O’Connell, Conor O’Tighearnaigh

Back row:(5) Alex Kendellen (captain), James Culhane, Seán Edogbo, Sean Jansen, Alex Soroka

Scrum-half:(3) Matthew Devine, Cormac Foley, Ethan Coughlan

Out-half:(2) Sam Prendergast, Jack Murphy

Centre:(5) Hugh Cooney, Hugh Gavin, Seán O’Brien, Jude Postlethwaite, Charlie Tector

Back three:(5) Chay Mullins, Ben O’Connor, Rob Russell, Zac Ward, Andrew Osborne

Could see at least 8 players involved in all 3 games.

2 LHP and 2 OH and I expect Izuchukwu and/or Sheridan will also play 1 of the games at BR.

FtD v2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122655998#Comment_122655998

Interesting to look back at the 2022 squad and see how players have progressed, and who is closer to an Ireland cap now than then.

Of the front rows:

I think Clarkson, Illo and Milne remain on a good path, though this is a big season for Milne who needs to press on.

The latter three, Callum Reid, Josh Wycherley and Roman Salanoa are probably further away. Reid and Wycherley haven’t kicked on and their positions in the depth chart at their clubs are unchanged (two clubs with underwhelming front row options too). Salanoa was on the cusp of the wider Ireland squad but he’s been in injury hell for two years.

At hooker, Stewart has been capped and Barron has been around squads. Tierney Martin needs to press on this season.

Of the locks: Joe McCarthy is a multi cap international starter. Interesting the other two higher potential players there, Ahern & Izuchukwu both look better prospects at 6 than at lock. Deeny needs a big year this year but is a good way off an international squad right now.

In the back row: Deegan, Hodnett and Penny all seem on the outside of the international mix right now. Culhane and Kendellen are talented young players and are on this tour again, Prendergast looks set for more Irish caps as he is the new Connacht captain. Alex Soroka missed the tour through injury in 2022 and has missed two seasons largely with injury. He’s yet another who needs a big, injury free season.

In the backline, at scrum half Michael McDonald is miles down the pecking order. Doak needs a good year to get himself back to where he was, while Blade had a relatively poor season but a good ending in SA. He’s under a lot of pressure to keep his 9 shirt in Connacht though ahead of Ben Murphy & Matt Devine.

At 10, Jack Crowley is Ireland’s starting 10 and a probable Lion next year IMO. Frawley missed the tour but has become an Irish international who finished in SA very strongly. Jake Flannery seems down the pecking order at Ulster and nowhere near an Irish squad.

In the centres, Frisch is gone. Stewart Moore seems on the outside, and Jamie Osborne got 2 caps this summer.

Of the back three options: Calvin Nash is an established international. Shane Daly has been solid but prob no closer to an Irish squad and is ticking on in age. Baloucoune missed his opportunity you feel and can’t stay healthy. Guys like Andrew Smith and Chay Mullins have played relatively little rugby in the past few years. Ethan McIlroy looks a solid player but not international quality.

Paul Smeenus

David McCann will pick up some caps. Hard to say how many - we're not exactly underserved for back row options. But he's already become a vital part of Ulster's backrow and will be a club stalwart, I'd say.

FtD v2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122657386#Comment_122657386

yeah, sorry I missed him by accident. I’m a really big fan of his. Doesn’t quite have Izuchukwu’s elite athleticism but I think he’s probably still a better player. He has great size, aggression, game IQ and seems to also be a leader figure in that pack despite being still very young.

thePigeon_

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122655744#Comment_122655744

Was doing this myself and came to pretty much the same, but had Sheahan for McCarthy (thinking McCarthy playing this weekend might make a difference), and Soroka for Edogbo. Considering he's been selected twice now I'd say they're eager to get Soroka involved and will fit him in somewhere for Wednesday's starting team.

thePigeon_

If they go that direction there's a lot to like about the backline

Zeugnis

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122656415#Comment_122656415

Lots of assessments that I'd agree with there, but Andrew Smith played nearly 1000 minutes last season, his first at Connacht, and had some strong performances. He was also at the Olympics, so it was a busy year.

With Mack and Cordero back, it's going to be tougher to get into that Connacht back three this season, he's going to have to earn the caps.

ljsulster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122655744#Comment_122655744

Scott Wilson at tighthead

Clegg

Alex Usanov called up to the squad to replaced Jordan Duggan.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/1839667063381537078?t=QOYQarhZqX8E_VfIb-Q0_g&s=09

FtD v2

Usanov and Donnelly would be an underwhelming loose head pair at an AIL level right now possibly.

We’re going to struggle massively in the scrums with those two down there.

FtD v2

Team named for first game against the Pumas:

(15-9, 1-8):

Ben O’Connor, Rob Russell, Sean O’Brien, Hugh Gavin, Zac Ward, Sam Prendergast, Matthew Devine, Mark Donnelly, Stephen Smyth, Jack Aungier, Harry Sheridan, Darragh Murray, Cormac Izuchukwu, Alex Kendellen ©, James Culhane

Reps: Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov, Ronan Foxe, Evan O’Connell, Sean Jansen, Ethan Coughlan, Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite

Paul Smeenus

Interesting. Izzy has been mentioned as being looked at as a second row, but here he is at back row. Surprised by Wilson's omission.

FtD v2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122671572#Comment_122671572

I think they’re going a little bit mix and match, especially up front, given this is likeliest the weakest game of the tour and they want to get game time into everyone.

I wouldn’t have expected Stephen Smyth to start at hooker either if being honest, as whatever about Danny Sheahan, he’s clearly behind Gus McCarthy but starts here.

thePigeon_

Players left to feature:

Hooker: Danny Sheahan

Tighthead prop:Scott Wilson

Second row:Conor O’Tighearnaigh

Back row:Seán Edogbo, Alex Soroka

Scrum-half:Cormac Foley

Centre:Hugh Cooney, Charlie Tector

Back three:Chay Mullins, Andrew Osborne

Some pretty strong options to bring in for Sunday

pickarooney

Yeah, they're holding back the better players for the next games by the looks of things. Is everyone guaranteed meaningful game time with 3 matches in 10 days and this size of a squad?

arsebiscuits1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122674993#Comment_122674993

They'd nearly have to be wouldn't they?

The next game is Sunday so a tight enough turnaround for the squad so they'd need rotation especially in the front 5.

With winning not really being the point of this and it being looked at as a developmental tour you'd imagine that every player is getting at least 80 minutes over the 3 games.

The only position I see a tiny bit of bloat is scrum half but even still you'd imagine all 3 are in line for starts in the games or a solid 30 minutes off the bench in a few fixtures

pickarooney

Thought I saw it posted but can't find what site this is being broadcast on.

sydthebeat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122675923#Comment_122675923

https://plus.irishrugby.ie/events/fwkpcuax