There are a number of changes to the Emerging Ireland squad for the upcoming tour to South Africa following the first round of the BKT United Rugby Championship last weekend.

Shayne Bolton, Jack Boyle and Tommy O’Brien are unavailable and will be replaced by Ireland Sevens back and recent Olympian Chay Mullins, Munster prop Mark Donnelly and Leinster’s Charlie Tector respectively.

The squad will convene on Wednesday morning in the IRFU High Performance Centre before travelling to South Africa on Saturday.

Emerging Ireland Squad (South Africa Tour 2024)

Forwards (18):

Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht)
James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Mark Donnelly (Garryowen FC/Munster)
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):

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)
Chay Mullins (Connacht/Ireland Sevens)
Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster)
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)
Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens).

Emerging Ireland Tour Fixtures

• Wednesday, 2 October: Emerging Ireland v The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time
• Sunday, 6 October: Emerging Ireland v Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time
• Wednesday, 9 October: Emerging Ireland v The Cheetahs, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time

Tighthead prop, Marty Moore, has confirmed that he will retire from professional rugby on medical advice to prioritise his mental wellbeing.

After six years as one of the Ulster men, 33-year-old Moore has made the decision to step back from the sport to focus on his well-being, with the full support of the club.

A talented prop, who started off playing rugby at MU Barnhall RFC, Marty came up through the Leinster pathway, playing for the province’s schools’ teams and representing Ireland at underage level.

He would play for Leinster’s Senior side, and was rewarded for his progression with an international debut for Ireland against Scotland in the 2014 Six Nations. In his first international tournament, he played a vital role as Ireland won the Six Nations championship, a feat they would repeat a year later in 2015.

Ireland’s Marty Moore, Sean Cronin and Jack McGrath with the trophy – Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

After two seasons at Wasps in the English Premiership, Marty joined Ulster Rugby in 2018 and immediately made an impact at tighthead prop. He became first choice in the number three shirt and showcased his strong ability in scrummaging and his high work-rate.

A long-term ACL injury halted Marty from making more appearances in an Ulster jersey, but he showed remarkable determination to recover and play for the province again.

Bryn Cunningham, Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment at Ulster Rugby, said:

“On behalf of everyone at Ulster Rugby, past and present, I would like to say thank-you to Marty for all that he has given to the club over the past six years, which has seen him rewarded with 94 caps for the province.

“I think we can safely say that Ulster saw the best of Marty through a distinguished career where he became a cornerstone of the team. That’s testament to not only his application but also the trust built up over the years with all the senior professional staff who worked tirelessly to support his performance.

“With many stand-out moments in an Ulster jersey, we know that our supporters will take the time to join us in celebrating an outstanding career.

“We wish Marty, and his family, the best for his future and we will continue to support him in every way possible. He can hold his head high as one of the Ulster men who made the province his home and made a huge contribution on the pitch.”

Head Coach Simon Easterby has today named a 33-player Emerging Ireland squad for the upcoming three-match Tour to South Africa.

Easterby, along with the National Coaching Team, have identified high potential players from across the four Provinces to assemble for camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre next week, before departing for Bloemfontein on Saturday, 28 September.

Munster’s Alex Kendellen, who previously captained Ireland U20s, has been named as Tour captain.

Two players who were part of Andy Farrell‘s Ireland squad for the recent Summer Tour of South Africa – Sam Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu – are included in the travelling party, while former Ireland U20 captains Gus McCarthy and Evan O’Connell are named by Head Coach Easterby.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu is one of two players set for their second Emerging Ireland Tour alongside Leinster back row James Culhane.

Emerging Ireland will face the Pumas in their campaign opener on Wednesday, 2 October (Kick-off 4pm local time/3pm Irish time), before going head-to-head with Super Rugby outfit Western Force on Sunday, 6 October (Kick-off 1pm local time/12pm Irish time).

Easterby’s side will then conclude the Tour against defending Currie Cup champions the Cheetahs on Wednesday, 9 October (Kick-off 7pm local time/6pm Irish time), with all matches being played at Toyota Stadium.

The Tour schedule is designed to challenge the players in a National Team environment, providing them with a window to impress the coaches and train and play to the National Team’s tactical and technical approach, while presenting them with access to meaningful game time in a green jersey.

Broadcast details for Emerging Ireland’s three matches will be confirmed in due course.

Emerging Ireland Squad:

Forwards (18):

Jack Aungier (Lansdowne 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 (Banbridge 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 v The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time
• Sunday, 6 October: Emerging Ireland v Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time
• Wednesday, 9 October: Emerging Ireland v The Cheetah, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time.