The IRFU are putting the final touches on the itinerary for an Emerging Ireland tour in September/October, mimicking the one undertaken in 2022. South Africa will once again be the host country. The Ireland senior coaching group, potentially again minus head coach Andy Farrell as was the case the last time, who will have Lions commitments next season, are likely to take charge as they did in 2022.
Two years ago, an Emerging Ireland side played three matches in Bloemfontein against the Windhoek Draught Griquas (54-7), the Airlink Pumas (28-24) and the Toyota Cheetahs (21-7). Simon Easterby led the tour as head coach and several players made a big impression, notably Calvin Nash, Jack Crowley, Joe McCarthy, and Cian Prendergast, all of whom went on to be capped within the next nine months.
Crowley went on to make his full Ireland debut against Australia and won a second cap in that November Test series against Fiji. McCarthy made his debut against the Wallabies, Prendergast against…
