Emerging Ireland kickstart tour with six-try victory

Emerging Ireland 36-24 The Pumas

Emerging Ireland kicked off their tour of South Africa with a 36-24 victory over the Pumas.

Zac Ward impressed on the wing, scoring the first of Ireland's six tries, and carrying strongly throughout 80 minutes in the heat of the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Darragh Murray and Cormac Izuchukwu added further first-half tries, while Stephen Smyth, Gus McCarthy, and a penalty try completed the Irish try-scoring.

The Pumas had more of the territory in the opening half but couldn't take advantage on the scoreboard.

They were turned over four times in the Irish 22, including twice when within five metres of the line.

Emerging Ireland, meanwhile, were more clinical when they worked their way into the danger zone and Ward, on trial with Ulster after impressing for the Sevens at the Olympics, evaded three tackles after receiving a long pass from Prendergast on the 22 before racing in.

Ireland were struggling with the scrum set and penalised a number of times but the Pumas continued to waste their shots.

Ben O'Connor's kicked caused problems in the backfield and Matthew Devine tapped a quick free close to the line before Murray took Izuchukwu's pop pass to score.

This time Prendergast converted.

But the Currie Cup side eventually got on the board in the 28th minute with Tino Swanepoel making a break in midfield and finding wing Lundi Msenge, who ran in under the posts.

Ireland had the last say of the half, however, with Izuchukwu powering over two defenders after a close-range scrum.

Prendergast's second conversion made it 19-7 at the break.

They extended their lead further just two minutes into the second half when Harry Sheridan's quick thinking at a ruck led to a breakaway with Smyth finishing off in the