So close!

Sam Prendergast looks to chip the ball into the corner but it's just beyond Zac Ward and into touch.

Close, just not close enough.

Ireland win the throw but it's sent long into the Pumas' 22.

There's a bit of kick tennis, and a big error as Tino Swanepoel spills it while under no pressure.

Ireland have the scrum just inside the 22.

The Pumas show some amount of power once we get the scrum underway but the officials aren't happy and Ireland win the penalty.

Sam Prendergast brings Ireland up to halfway.

The hosts look to go through a couple of phases but some sloppy handling gives Ireland the scrum on their own five metre line.

Okay, they were standing firm until they gave away a cheap penalty.

It's sent into the corner and the Pumas will look to build from here.

The Irish made a strong start but the Pumas are now on the attack.

They look to spread the ball out wide with pace but Ireland are standing firm.

Off we go!

The future is now for Ireland!

The players are out on the pitch in Bloemfontein.

Alex Kendellen leads out Ireland into the South African sun.

Image source, Inpho

Cormac Izuchukwu, Harry Sheridan, Scott Wilson and Zac Ward spend some time with Ulster legend Ruan Pienaar ahead of today's game in Bloemfontein.

Image source, Inpho

After today's opener, Simon Easterby's side will also face Western Force on 6 October and The Cheetahs on 9 October as part of their tour.

"The Pumas will present a real test, coming as it does in the first of three games in seven days," said Easterby.

"They’re a physical team who have come off a competitive Currie Cup campaign.

"The three games will ask different questions of the group and that is exactly the kind of environment we want to foster and to see how the players react to a pressurised and competitive environment.

"We will be managing our resources given the close proximity of the games and it's a younger and less experienced group than the one that competed two years ago. But the talent, energy and enthusiasm of this group has been obvious over the course of the last six days."

Ireland Sevens star Zac Ward is one of three Ulster players named in the Emerging Ireland starting team to face the Pumas on Wednesday in the first game of their three-match tour to South Africa.

Harry Sheridan is selected in the second row and Cormac Izuchukwu in the back row for the encounter with the Currie Cup side in Bloemfontein.

Backs Jack Murphy and Jude Postlethwaite are named among the replacements for the match which has a 15:00 BST kick-off time.

Ward has impressed for Ireland's Sevens team and was one of the stand out players at the Paris Olympics.

The 25-year-old wing has been on trial with Ulster as he transitions back into the 15s game.

Ireland: Ben O'Connor (Munster); Rob Russell (Leinster), Sean O'Brien (Munster), Hugh Gavin (Conancht), Zac Ward (Ulster/Ireland Sevens); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Matthew Devine (Connacht); Mark Donnelly (Munster), Stephen Smyth (Leinster), Jack Aungier (Connacht); Harry Sheridan (Ulster), Darragh Murray (Connacht); Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Alex Kendellen (capt) (Munster), James Culhane (Leinster).

Replacements: Gus McCarthy (Leinster), Alex Usanov (Leinster), Ronan Foxe (Munster), Evan O'Connell (Munster), Sean Jansen (Connacht), Ethan Coughlan (Munster), Jack Murphy (Ulster), Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster).

Pumas: Tino Swanepoel; Lundi Msenge, Theuns Pretorius, Clinton Swart, Darren Adonis; Danrich Visagie, Richman Gora; Etienne Janeke, Jan-Henning Campher, Sampie Swiegers, Hanno Theunissen, Deon Slabbert, Ntsika Fisanti, Andre Fouche, Kwanda Dimaza (capt).

Replacements: Darnell Osuagwu, Dewald Maritz, Eduan Swart, Tiaan de Klerk, Marvelous Mashimbyi, Russwill Fredericks, Wian van Niekerk, Phiko Sobahle.

We may only be a matter of weeks into the URC season, but we've some international flavour to bring you as an Emerging Ireland side play their first of three matches in South Africa.

Simon Easterby, who will take charge of Ireland's senior side once Andy Farrell heads off to coach the Lions, is leading a youthful Ireland team, which is made up of players from the four Irish provinces.

It's a glimpse into the future, and we'll have live updates from their opening match against the Pumas.

Image source, Inpho