Ireland's Simon Easterby will take temporary charge of the Irish senior rugby team, with his appointment confirmed by the IRFU this week.
Andy Farrell will take charge of the British and Irish Lions in 2025, which means he will miss Ireland's 2025 Six Nations campign this spring and the men’s summer tour that summer.
Easterby, who has coaching experience with the Emerging Ireland squad and Ireland team in previous years, claimed it was a huge honour to lead the Irish team in Farrell's absence.
Easterby commented: “To be asked to lead the Ireland team is a huge honour and one that I am thrilled to accept. I’m looking forward to working with the talented backroom team and players while Andy is away with the British & Irish Lions.
“I have greatly enjoyed being a part of the men’s national team’s journey over the last 10 years, and I believe that there are even brighter days ahead as we build towards a huge few months."
➖ Taking over as Interim Ireland Men's Head Coach
➖ Emerging Ireland squad
➖ Exciting opportunities in greenHear more from Simon Easterby ahead of the Emerging Ireland Tour to South Africa.#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/3htkgw6n0s
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 18, 2024
Easterby also selected his 33-man panel for the Emerging Ireland three-match tour to South Africa this October this week.
Ireland will play the Pumas in their campaign opener on Wednesday, 2 October. They will then play Super Rugby outfit Western Force on Sunday, 6 October, and conclude the tour against defending Currie Cup champions the Cheetahs on Wednesday, 9 October. All three matches will be played at Toyota Stadium.
“There’s a lot to play for before December, and we’re looking forward to providing the next crop of future Irish players with a chance to impress against talented international opponents in South Africa and then across the four Autumn Nations Series matches at the Aviva Stadium," added Easterby this week.
Broadcast details for Emerging Ireland’s three matches will be confirmed in due course.
Emerging Ireland Squad:
Forwards (18):
Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster)
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)
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)
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).
Emerging Ireland Tour Fixtures:
- Wednesday, 2 October: Emerging Ireland vs. The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time
- Sunday, 6 October: Emerging Ireland vs. Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time
- Wednesday, 9 October: Emerging Ireland vs. The Cheetahs, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time.
