Thursday, December 19, 2024

Emerging Ireland: Zac Ward among changes for final game of tour against Cheetahs

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Ulster trialist Zac Ward returns to the backline in one of 12 changes Emerging Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has made for Wednesday’s tour finale against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein (18:00 BST).

Ward scored Emerging Ireland’s opening try in their win over the Pumas last week before being rested for the defeat of Western Force on Sunday.

Leinster’s Sam Prendergast starts his third game at fly-half with Cormac Foley named at scrum-half.

Ben O’Connor returns at full-back while Andrew Osborne moves to the right wing, with Hugh Gavin and Hugh Cooney making up the midfield partnership.

Leinster prop Alex Usanov is the only player retained in the pack with former Ireland under-20 captain Evan O’Connell recalled to the second row and Ulster’s Harry Sheridan part of a new-look back row alongside Sean Edogbo and captain James Culhane.

“The Cheetahs are a fiercely proud and strong side and it should be a lively game with a vocal home support behind them,” said Easterby.

“It has been a fruitful past few weeks to date and we have learned a lot. While our performances haven’t been perfect, the players have embraced the challenge and played some brilliant rugby at times.

“The action has come thick and fast and we know that we have to be clinical in our execution. We will need to go up another level on Wednesday to get the performance we want and hopefully finish the tour on a high.”

Emerging Ireland: Ben O’Connor (Munster); Andrew Osborne (Leinster), Hugh Cooney (Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Connacht), Zac Ward (Ulster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Cormac Foley (Leinster); Alex Usanov (Leinster), Stephen Smyth (Leinster), Jack Aungier (Connacht); Evan O’Connell (Munster), Darragh Murray (Connacht); Harry Sheridan (Ulster), Sean Edogbo (Munster), James Culhane (Leinster, captain).

Replacements: Danny Sheahan (Munster), George Hadden (Munster) Scott Wilson (Ulster), Conor O’Tighearnaigh (Leinster), Alex Soroka (Leinster), Matthew Devine (Connacht), Jack Murphy (Ulster), Charlie Tector (Leinster).

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