“Finally getting the chance to put on the jersey was a surreal experience” | Thomas Ahern describes Rugby journey thus far

The Emerging Ireland squad get their tour of South Africa underway tomorrow at midday.

Ten Munster players were selected in the 35-man squad for the upcoming Toyota Challenge fixtures that are set to take place over the coming weeks.

The youthful looking side travelled to the world champions to take on three local sides to help bridge the gap from U20s to the Senior squad.

One of which is 22-year-old lock Thomas Ahern, who plays his rugby for Shannon RFC and has been impressing since his youth stages for the province.

From Ardmore, Ahern has represented his country at youth level, participating in the 2019 Youth World Cup as well as the U20 Six Nations where the side completed the triple crown that year.

Ahead of Friday’s clash with the Windhoek Draught Griquas, the 22-year-old recalled both tournaments, speaking of his gratitude at each experience.

“I was kind of injured the whole year but was lucky enough to make the trip with the lads who had just won the Grand Slam in February so I was very lucky to get a call up to the World Cup but it was a class experience to be fair, never experienced something like that before.

“It was very intense, kind of playing a game like that every four or five days.”

Ahern made his debut for the Munster senior team as a substitution in a victory against Dragons in November of 2020 and remembers the ‘surreal’ experience as well as his European debut for the province against Exeter in April early this year.

“Surreal experience. When you’re growing up with Munster and going to matches with my dad and grandad, finally getting the chance to put on the jersey was a surreal experience to be honest.

“It’s different down in Munster, European games are massive and you can kind of feel the buzz throughout the week, nervous energy and everybody is buzzing for it. It was my first experience of the Munster away fans and we got some serious travelling support for that, they kind of put you at ease.”

Ahern labelled his initial Ireland senior camp as a ‘step-up’ but enjoyed every minute of it when he received his first call up in November 2021.

He will take another step in his development on Friday as he is named from the start for the clash with Windhoek Draught Griquas.

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Emerging Ireland take on the Windhoek Draught Griquas at 12:45pm this Friday in their fixture of the Toyota Challenge Tour.