Simon Easterby, the new head coach of Emerging Ireland, has shaken up the team considerably for their upcoming challenge against Western Force on Sunday, 12pm Irish time. This follows their victory over the Pumas in the initial match of their South African tour, where they won 36-24 with the Pumas crossing into the try area five times.
Out of the squad that faced the Pumas, only Alex Kendellen, the captain, and try scorer Cormac Izuchukwu make it into this Sunday’s line-up. Kendellen will continue playing as the openside flanker, with Sean Jansen and Alex Soroka joining him in the backrow. Izuchukwu, however, will now be part of the secondrow, together with Conor O’Tighearnaigh.
The frontrow will see Gus McCarthy, Alex Usanov and Ronan Foxe, who all previously came on against the Pumas, join the starting XV. The halfback team will feature Ethan Coughlan and Sam Prendergast, with Sean O’Brien playing on the left wing. Olympic Ireland Sevens player, Chay Mullins will take the right wing, while Andrew Osborne covers fullback and Jude Postlethwaite and Hugh Cooney form the new centre duo.
Expressing his expectations for Sunday’s game, as quoted, Easterby acclaimed that the team is prepared for another huge challenge and have taken the opportunity to represent their country seriously. He noted that the Western Force team kicked off strongly against the Cheetahs in their Wednesday game and appear to be a quality, well-coached team.
The advanced start time is a different experience, but it’s precisely the exercise we want for the team. We have introduced a fresh vibe to the team this week, with various substitutes from the previous midweek match getting their inaugural starts. Additionally, there are fresh players entering the squad for the first time. This new line-up is likely to invigorate the squad and training has been particularly high spirited, which I am delighted with. The footballers are driven and looking forward to this Sunday’s match. We’re optimistic of even more signs of improvement.
Upcoming Ireland (versus Western Force – Sunday, 12 pm Irish timezone): Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster); Chay Mullins (Ireland Sevens/Connacht), Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster) Sean O’Brien, Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster); Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster), Ronan Foxe (Garryowen FC/Munster); Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster); Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Alex Kendellen (Captain) (UCC RFC/Munster), Sean Jansen (Connacht)
On the bench: Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht), Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster), Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster), Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht).