Max Deegan will captain Emerging Ireland in tomorrow’s Toyota Challenge opener against the Griquas in Bloemfontein (12.45pm Irish time).
eegan won his only senior cap against Wales in the 2020 Six Nations, and the Leinster man is joined at the back by provincial team-mate Scott Penny and Ulster’s David McCann.
Talented young locks Tom Ahern and Joe McCarthy team up at No. 2, with Josh Wycherley, Tom Stewart and Thomas Clarkson named at No. 1.
Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak will form an exciting partnership with Munster’s Jack Crowley.
Stewart Moore and Jamie Osborne link up in midfield, with Robert Baloucoune, Calvin Nash and Shane Daly making up the back three.
Diarmuid Barron, Michael Milne and Roman Salanoa will provide the first row back, with Brian Deeny and John Hodnett doing the same for the second row and back row respectively.
Ulster new signings half-backs Michael McDonald and Jake Flannery will be hoping for a chance to impress, along with center Antoine Frisch who recently joined Munster.
Tomorrow’s match against Griquas will be streamed live on IrishRugby.ie.
The Emerging Ireland squad will face Griquas tomorrow at 12.45pm Irish time – S Daly; C Nash, J Osborne, S Moore, R Baloucoune; J Crowley, N Doak; J. Wycherley, T. Stewart, T. Clarkson; J McCarthy, T Ahern; D McCann, S Penny, M Deegan (captain). Representatives: D Barron, D Milne, R Salanoa, B Deeny, J Hodnett, M McDonald, J Flannery, A Frisch.
