Emerging Ireland tour akin to 'Test environment'

Ireland coach Andrew Goodman says nan Emerging Ireland circuit to South Africa represents "a awesome opportunity" for players to "experience what a Test week is like".

The youthful Irish squad will look Currie Cup broadside nan Pumas connected Wednesday 2 October, Western Force 4 days later and past nan Cheetahs connected 9 October.

"We want to springiness nan guys each nan accusation that we would for a Test week. We’re going to thrust expectations astir nan measurement we do things," said Goodman, who is assisting Simon Easterby pinch coaching duties connected nan tour.

"The provinces are doing astonishing jobs and nan players are very good coached – we want to build connected that but besides adhd our flavour and what makes america different."

New Zealander Goodman, adjunct coach astatine Leinster, was appointed to nan Ireland coaching squad up of nan 2024-25 season.

He emphasises that nan forthcoming circuit is an opportunity for young players to impressment and to "build extent and person competitions for positions".

"From nan past [Emerging Ireland successful 2022] circuit a batch of guys person gone connected to correspond Ireland. We want to spot them successful our structures and study nan measurement we play, nan Ireland measurement of doing things – bits astir our connection and really we want to play nan game.

"You get a batch much clip for conversations, clip astir a computer, walk-throughs. We really want to push nan boys and spot really they header pinch nan magnitude of accusation they get fixed successful a short magnitude of time."

Goodman believes nan squad's 3 opponents will supply a stiff test.

"Those Currie Cup teams [Pumas and Cheetahs] person been successful amongst their title truthful they’ll person immoderate bully cohesion astir really they are playing and Western Force, though they person been retired of season, person been training for a agelong clip now truthful they’ll beryllium competitive. They’ll beryllium immoderate awesome games for us."