James Culhane will captain the Emerging Ireland team as they look to make it three wins from three in the final test against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
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 on Sunday afternoon.
Former Ireland Under-20 captain Evan O’Connell will partner Darragh Murray in the front row, with the impressive Alex Usanov named in the front row alongside hooker Stephen Smyth and Jack Aungier.
Sam Prendergast starts his third game of the tour at out-half and will be partnered by Cormac Foley, who featured as a second-half replacement against the Australian Super Rugby side last time out.
Connacht’s Hugh Gavin forms a midfield partnership with Hugh Cooney, as Ulster’s Zac Ward returns to the side in an exciting back three alongside the returning Ben O’Connor at full-back and Andrew Osborne, who moves to the right wing.
Munster loosehead prop George Hadden, who was called up to the squad last weekend, 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 once more at hooker, while Scott Wilson and Leinster’s Charlie Tector are also named on the bench for the Toyota Stadium clash alongside out-half Jack Murphy.
Following the 29-24 victory over Western Force in Bloemfontein on Sunday three players returned to their provinces.
Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Sean O’Brien (Munster) and Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster) returned home yesterday and will be available for selection for their respective URC fixtures this weekend.
Emerging Ireland team to face Cheetahs (Wednesday, 6pm): (15-9) B O’Connor; A Osborne, H Cooney, H Gavin, Z Ward; S Prendergast, C Foley, (1-8) A Usanov, S Smyth, J Aungier; E O’Connell, D Murray; H Sheridan, S Edogbo, J Culhane (captain).
Replacements:D Sheahan, G Hadden, S Wilson, C O’Tighearnaigh, A Soroka, M Devine, J Murphy, C Tector.