Emerging Ireland team named for Western Force clash and Simon Easterby has rung the changes

Munster back row Alex Kendellen, who is Ireland's tour captain, and Sam Prendergast remain as Simon Easterby's Emerging Ireland look for a second win in South Africa

ALEX Kendellen, Sam Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu are the only starting line-up survivors for the second tour fixture against Western Force (Sunday, 12pm Irish time).

The squad kicked off the three-game tour with a 36-24 victory over the Pumas last Wednesday and the Western Force game also takes place in Bloemfontein.

Emerging Ireland head coach Simon Easterby has changed up his side with 12 players coming in from the start. Easterby was always going to freshen things up with only a four day turnaround and with the final match to follow against the Cheetahs on Wednesday.

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Skipper Kendellen will have Sean Jansen and Alex Soroka for company in the back row, while out-half Prendergast will be partnered at half-back by Ethan Coughlan.

Izuchukwu scored a try off the bench against the Pumas and the Ulster man switches from the back row to the second row alongside Conor O’Tighearnaigh.

Another try-scorer from the opening game, hooker Gus McCarthy, starts in a new-look front row alongside Alex Usanov and Ronan Foxe, who also featured as second half replacements last time out.

Andrew Osborne, brother of Jamie, starts at full-back in a back row that sees Ireland Sevens Olympian Chay Mullins feature on the right wing and Sean O'Brien on the left flank.

Jude Postlethwaite and Hugh Cooney are selected at centre. "The squad has really embraced the opportunity to represent their country since our arrival in South Africa and we are expecting another big step up on Sunday," said Easterby.

"Western Force got off to a flier on Wednesday night against the Cheetahs and it is clear that they are a well-drilled side with a lot of quality. The earlier kick off time presents a new challenge, but this is exactly the kind of test we want for the squad.

"We have freshened up the team this weekend, with a number of replacements from the midweek game getting their first starts, and there are other new faces coming into the panel for the first time.

"This freshness will give the squad some energy and there has been a good intensity to training, which I’m pleased about. The players are focused and excited about Sunday’s game and we’re hopeful of further signs of progression."

The three-match Series will be shown live on SuperSport and will be available on IrishRugby+, which you can register for free on www.irishrugby.ie

Emerging Ireland (v Western Force): A Osborne (Leinster), C Mullins (Connacht), H Cooney (Leinster), J Postlethwaite (Ulster), S O'Brien (Munster), S Prendergast (Leinster), E Coughlan (Munster); A Usanov (Leinster), G McCarthy (Leinster), R Foxe (Munster), C Izuchukwu (Ulster), C O’Tighearnaigh (Leinster), A Soroka (Leinster), A Kendellen (Munster, capt), S Jansen (Connacht).

Replacements: D Sheahan (Munster), S Wilson (Ulster), J Aungier (Connacht), E O’Connell (Munster), E Edogbo (Munster), C Foley (Leinster), Charlie Tector (Leinster), H Gavin (Connacht).

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