Emerging Ireland will be targeting back-to-back wins in Bloemfontein on Sunday when they face Western Force.

On Wednesday the Irish kicked off their three-match tour with a convincing 36-24 win against the Pumas. The team from the Emerald Isles went for six tries, albeit one was a penalty.

While it was their last game of the season, the Pumas fought to the very end, and they certainly brought physicality to the young Irish team.

The Force turn secured a 38-24 win against the Toyota Cheetahs in the Toyota Challenge.

Simon Easterby. Photo: INPHO/Irish Rugby

The Irish are using the tour to build on their depth and to unearth the next stars to take them to the 2027 Rugby World Cup which will be played in Australia.

The coach, Simon Easterby, told OFM Sport that considering the travel and limited time together as a group he was happy with the performance against the 2022 Currie Cup champions on Wednesday.

“The Pumas have had a Currie Cup campaign to prepare for this game and we’ve had six or seven days but I think, to a man, our guys stepped up to the challenge,” said Easterby.

“I think these tours are always going to be challenging, they’re always going to put us under pressure for the time, but we certainly wouldn’t look for any excuses in terms of our preparation.

“I thought, on the whole, we were outstanding and everyone showed up really well.”

The captain and Munster loose-forward, Alex Kendellen, in turn told OFM Sport that the tour is a big opportunity, and the onus is on them to determine their own destiny.

“It’s a massive opportunity for us as players,” said the flanker.

“It was first said when we came in, that there’s an opportunity to play for Ireland and there is a clear path. We saw with the last tour how many lads went down and played for Ireland, so the clear path is there and we’re just trying our best to get there.”

Emerging Ireland will face the Force at 13:00 on Sunday afternoon at the Toyota Stadium, while at 15:45 the Cheetahs will tackle the Griffons.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh