As it happened: Emerging Ireland v Western Force

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Emerging Ireland’s meeting with the Western Force today.

Simon Easterby’s side are looking to make it two wins from two in South Africa after their impressive 36-24 defeat of the Pumas on Wednesday. Kick-off is at 12pm Irish time in Bloemfontein.

Easterby has made 11 changes for today’s game, although Sam Prendergast gets another chance to pull the strings in the 10 jersey. Here’s a reminder of how Ireland lineup:

Emerging Ireland

15. Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster) 14. Chay Mullins (Ireland Sevens/Connacht) 13. Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster) 12. Jude Postlethwaite (City of Armagh RFC/Ulster) 11. Sean O’Brien (Clontarf FC/Munster) 10. Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) 9. Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster) 1. Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster) 2. Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster) 3. Ronan Foxe (Garryowen FC/Munster) 4. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster) 5. Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster) 6. Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster) 7. Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)(captain) 8. Sean Jansen (Connacht)

Replacements:

16. Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster) 17. Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster) 18 Jack Aungier (Clontarf FC/Connacht) 19. Evan O’Connell (Young Munster RFC/Munster) 20. Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster) 21. Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) 22. Charlie Tector (Lansdowne FC/Leinster) 23. Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)

4mins: Emerging Ireland 0 Western Force 0

Emerging Ireland stuck in their own 22 for the opening exchanges, but then win a freekick at the scrum and Sam Prendergast kicks for touch. Ireland’s first lineout, around the halfway mark, also goes smoothly for Simon Easterby’s team, who are just feeling their way into the game.

A reminder that this match is available to watch live on IrishRugby+, here.

8mins: Emerging Ireland 7 Western Force 0

The first real chance of the game for Ireland comes via a 5m lineout. Cormac Izuchukwu claims the ball in the air, and with just a couple of quick passes Jude Postlethwaite is over for the first try of the afternoon. Quick, clean lineout work there from Ireland, with Sam Prendergast then adding the conversion.

16mins: Emerging Ireland 12 Western Force 0

Emerging Ireland are looking sharp in Bloemfontein. Another big carry from Postlethwaite gives Ireland some momentum, and after they move the ball wide Andrew Osborne does well to step around a tackle, get his hands free and release Chay Mullins, who provides the finish. Prendergast’s conversion drifts wide.

20mins: Emerging Ireland 19 Western Force 0

A brilliantly worked try, Sean Jansen finishing a flowing move as Emerging Ireland work the ball from one end to the other with a series of strong carries and slick offloading.

Hugh Cooney made the initial break down the wing to carry Emerging Ireland into the 22, before a big carry from Alex Soroka. Ireland then work the ball wide and Jansen crosses for the third try of the game, with Prendergast adding the extras. An excellent opening 20 minutes for Ireland as we break for the first water break.

24mins: Emerging Ireland 19 Western Force 7

Harry Potter runs a great line and Mac Grealy gets one back for the Force, with Max Burey adding the conversion.

28mins: Emerging Ireland 19 Western Force 14

Western Force lethal on the transition. Max Burey shifts the ball wide and Justin Landman scores their second try in quick succession. Simon Easterby won’t be happy with some of the defending there as Ireland slipped off a couple of tackles.

33mins: Emerging Ireland 19 Western Force 14

Hugh Cooney is proving a handful in the Ireland midfield. He’s the spark for another Ireland break before Izuchukwu gets his hands on the ball, but there’s a mix up in the pass and Ireland knock the ball forward.

37mins: Emerging Ireland 19 Western Force 14

Jansen gets over again from close range but the score is crossed off for obstruction, with Conor O’Tighearnaigh the guilty party.

HALFTIME: Emerging Ireland 26 Western Force 14

Ireland end the half with their fourth try. A lengthy break for a TMO check, and it’s not initially clear what the referee is looking for, before we get a replay of contact between the ball-carrier, Ireland’s Chay Mullins, and the tackler, Force scrum-half Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, with the end result a yellow card for Fines-Leleiwasa and a penalty for Ireland. 

Prendergast kicks for the corner, Izuchukwu wins the ball in the air again from the lineout and the Ireland maul bundles over as the hooter sounds for half-time. Prendergast kicks the conversion and Ireland lead 26-14 at the break.

52mins: Emerging Ireland 26 Western Force 21

Ireland a bit sloppy off a lineout in the 22, and the Force get a boot to the ball to spur a chase into the Ireland half. Alex Kendellen gets back to take possession but the Force win a penalty, and build pressure in the Ireland 22, with Ireland then losing Alex Soroka to a yellow card.

A poor couple of minutes for Ireland ends with hooker Nic Dolly getting over from a rolling maul, with Miln adding the conversion.

59mins: Emerging Ireland 26 Western Force 21

The third yellow card of the game as the Force lose Darcy Swain to the sin bin, making it 14-v-14 again. 

66mins: Emerging Ireland 26 Western Force 21

Both teams emptying their benches now, and the game getting fairly fractured. Emerging Ireland have bit a bit sloppy since the restart, with their execution off in the Force 22 and at the lineout.

71mins: Emerging Ireland 26 Western Force 21

Ireland looking tired as we enter the final 10 minutes. Ireland have a chance to extend their lead but Prendergast pushes a penalty attempt wide of the posts.

He follows that miss up with a superb 50:22. His kicking from hand today has been excellent. Izuchukwu is again the target from the lineout. Cormac Foley snipes for the line but gets stopped short, and after Ireland rework the ball they concede a penalty with Sean Edogbo deemed to have played a man without the ball.

76mins: Emerging Ireland 29 Western Force 21

Prendergast splits the posts and makes it a two-score game entering the final five minutes.