Autumn Tests, Six Nations spots up for grabs on Emerging Ireland tour, says Simon Easterby

Simon Easterby can point to Joe McCarthy and Jack Crowley as prime examples of what an Emerging Ireland tour can produce and he hopes that some of his 33-man squad step up the plate this time around.

The Leinster lock and Munster out-half were uncapped when they toured South Africa two years ago and have gone on to become mainstays in Andy Farrell's senior side.

Four others - Ciarán Frawley, Calvin Nash, Jamie Osborne and Cian Prendergast – have featured for Ireland over the last two years.

After naming the touring party for three games in October on Wednesday morning, Easterby, who will step up as interim head coach of the senior side when Farrell switches to Lions duties at the end of November, was adamant that anyone who puts their hand up will be in contention for the senior side straight away.

Ireland host New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia in November.

"That’s exactly what we want," said the former Ireland flanker when asked about the possibilities of players earning call-ups.

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"We know there is a medium-to-long-term outlook for this tour but certainly in the short-term we need to build depth in every position and there is no closed book.

"We need to make sure that we have the best players available to us in November and then the Six Nations.

"There is also an 'A’ fixture in the Six Nations, there is a summer tour and a Lions tour. Who knows?

"Genuinely, it is a great challenge for these players and an opportunity for them and us to see who can step up and make it difficult