Emerging Ireland made to work for second tour victory against Pumas

Emerging Ireland 28-24 Pumas

Emerging Ireland made it two wins from two in their tour of South Africa but they were holding on towards the end of their 28-24 victory over Pumas in Bloemfontein.

Following on from last week's 47-point annihilation of Griquas, Simon Easterby named an entirely new team for this game, with seven players who had emerged off the bench having been promoted into the starting XV.

It didn't appear to be slowing the touring side down, as they raced into 21-point lead inside 18 minutes, with the gap whittled down to nine points by half-time.

They had stretched the difference back out to 16 before the Pumas dominated the last 20 minutes to give Easterby some nervy moments.

A brilliant break by Antoine Frisch, after picking up the loose ball in midfield, set up Ireland's opener on six minutes. Although Frisch came up just short, the visitors spread the ball out right, where Chay Mullins was able to finish.

The second try arrived five minutes later as Ireland took a tap and go penalty close to the Pumas line, with James Culhane crashing over from close range.

The third arrived in the 17th minute after Shane Kirkwood was sent to the bin for making contact with Cathal Forde's head and neck in a ruck. Ireland took full advantage, as Jake Flannery's great turn of space set him free to touch down beside the posts.

The Ulster outhalf would convert all three first-half tries.

Tries from Andre Fouche and Eduan Swart - both finished from close range in the left corner - brought the South African side back into the game and left the gap at nine at the break.

Ireland stretched their lead once more in the 53rd minute. After a good initial break from Cormac Izuchukwu, good hands by Mullins allowed Culhane to crash over from a