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.
"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 not to pick them in November or the Six Nations.
"(The last tour) was invaluable. We are always in contact with the provinces around what’s coming through, the depth of different positions in Irish rugby but I think to get to know the players, to get to work with them up close and personal was a real valuable exercise in 2022.
"That’s exactly what we hope this trip to be as well. It’s a short period.
"If we can produce the type of players we got last time then we will be more than happy."
Among those travelling are Ulster forward Cormac Izuchukwu and Leinster out-half Sam Prendergast, who both went on the recent senior tour to South Africa but did not see any game time.
While Leinster are well stocked at 10, Ulster coach Richie Murphy, who had previously described the tour as ‘disruptive’ will be without one of his main players for rounds 2-4 of the BKT URC.
"Izzy is someone that had a good bit of game time at the end of last season with Ulster but we still want to grow his experience and grow the depth more at lock than at 6 but we know he can play both positions," said Easterby, who has been part of the Ireland coaching set-up since 2014 .
"We want him to step up and lead in terms of calling at lineout time and leadership around the field.
"So for him it is a continuation of his development and progression. I’m not saying he wouldn’t get game time with Ulster.
"Obviously, he would but in particular for him to be working with Paulie (O’Connell, forwards coach) and Fogs (John Fogarty, scrum coach) again and the work he will be doing with Goody (Andrew Goodman, backs coach) in attack, it is a good progression in his development.
"With Sam, again, he would get time with Leinster no doubt over the last few weeks but he wasn’t given the opportunity to lead the week in South Africa because he didn’t get game time and we want to see him under a bit of pressure and challenge him to see how he can lead a week as a number 10.
"The challenges of playing URC are great bit playing away from home in international rugby in a green jersey and leading that, he hasn’t done that since the 20s so that is another way of building his development. Like Izzy, he did really well on tour but didn’t get the opportunity to play."
There are 12 Leinster, eight Munster, seven Connacht and six Ulster players named in the squad.
Easterby (above) said that the provinces were all included in the process from a long way out.
"There have been ongoing conversations around this for a long time and I know the last tour there was a little bit less preparation time," said the 49-year-old.
"The provinces have been excellent. David (Humphreys, IRFU performance director), Faz and myself have all been in constant contact with the provinces and head coaches around individual players.
"We are trying not to compromise their preparation as much as we can.
"Based around what happened last time and how we were able to get to work with those players and a lot of those players, six of them progressed to senior international rugby over the course of those intervening years since then, we all believe it is an important thing."
Sevens player Zac Ward (above), who is on a short-term trial with Ulster having impressed during the Olympics will also go on tour.
"He has played incredibly well on the Sevens circuit, culminating in the Olympics and now transitioned back into 15s," said Easterby.
"He has worked with Ulster across the pre-season since he has come back from the Sevens. He is a really exciting prospect.
"I think that is an important pathway for players in that Sevens environment. We want to make sure that there is a way for them to get back into 15s."
Emerging Ireland Tour Fixtures:
Wednesday, 2 October: Emerging Ireland v The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time
Sunday, 6 October: Emerging Ireland v Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time
Wednesday, 9 October: Emerging Ireland v The Cheetahs, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time
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