What time is Emerging Ireland v the Cheetahs on today and streaming details
Head coach Simon Easterby will be looking to finish the intensive three-game tour to South Africa on a winning note and also for performances that will put players in the Test selection picture for November
This is the last chance for the Emerging Ireland squad to make an impression on Simon Easterby, Paul O'Connell and the other coaches on the trip to South Africa.
An intensive schedule of three games in just seven days finishes up today on familiar ground, with a trip back to Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein for a meeting with the Cheetahs.
Head coach Easterby will be hoping that the tour ends on a high after victories over the Pumas last Wednesday and then Western Force on Sunday, games that were also played at the Toyota Stadium.
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Time will tell if the tour produces another crop of Test players, as was the case after the inaugural Emerging Ireland tour when new internationals of the calibre of Jack Crowley, Cian Prendergast, Calvin Nash and Joe McCarthy emerged.
Tour captain Alex Kendellen sits this final game out after starting the first two games, leaving Leinster starlet Sam Prendergast as the only player to be there from the kick-off in all three outings.
Prendergast has played well on the tour and will be hoping to sign off in style to further impress Test coach Andy Farrell, who has remained at home.
James Culhane will captain the team in Kendellen's place in a game that kicks off at 6pm Irish time.
“When we set out at the beginning of our pre-camp in Dublin, we knew about the challenge of facing three sides in a week and we knew that every player in the group would have the opportunity to play his part," Easterby said, after naming his team yesterday.
"To a man each player has given his all so far and we are aiming to finish off the series with another positive performance on Wednesday.
"The Cheetahs are a fiercely proud and strong side and it should be a lively game with a vocal home support behind them. 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.”
Culhane forms a new back-row alongside Harry Sheridan and Sean Edogbo, who makes his first start of the tour having come on as a replacement in the 29-24 win over Western Force.
Former Ireland Under-20 captain Evan O’Connell locks down with Darragh Murray, who featured in the opening 36-24 victory over the Pumas, with Alex Usanov named in the front row alongside hooker Stephen Smyth and Jack Aungier.
In the backline, Prendergast will be partnered by Cormac Foley, who featured as a second half replacement against the Australian Super Rugby side last time out.
Hugh Gavin forms a midfield partnership with Hugh Cooney, with Zac Ward named in the back tree alongside the returning Ben O’Connor at full-back and Andrew Osborne, who moves to the right wing.
Loosehead prop George Hadden is set to make his first appearance after being named on the bench alongside Conor O’Tighearnaigh and Alex Soroka who started Sunday's win.
Hadden’s provincial team-mate Danny Sheahan provides cover at hooker, while Scott Wilson and Charlie Tector are also named on the bench alongside out-half Jack Murphy.
Today's game will be broadcast once more on IrishRugby+ which can be accessed for free via www.irishrugby.ie.
Emerging Ireland: Ben O'Connor; Andrew Osborne, Hugh Cooney, Hugh Gavin, Zac Ward; Sam Prendergast, Cormac Foley; Alex Usanov, Stephen Smyth, Jack Aungier; Evan O'Connell, Darragh Murray; Harry Sheridan, Sean Edogbo, James Culhane (capt).
Replacements: Danny Sheahan, George Hadden, Scott Wilson, Conor O'Tighearnaigh, Alex Soroka, Mtthew Devine, Jack Murphy, Charlie Tector.
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