What was particularly evident in selection was the reliance on a core of forwards – of the seven players that started all four matches, just one was a back and the other six were part of the pack.
Caelan Doris has been named Ireland captain for the Autumn Nations Series, taking over from Peter O'Mahony who has also been named in the squad.
Ulster returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 32-27 United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht at Kingspan Stadium.
Emerging Ireland have been dealt another injury blow with Connacht prop Jordan Duggan being replaced by Leinster's Alex Usanov the day before the squad embark for South Africa.
The tour head coach had last week unveiled his original selection to travel to Bloemfontein for the October matches versus the Pumas, Western Force and the Cheetahs, but injuries have led to a rejig before the group assembles in Dublin on Wednesday.
Leinster flanker James Culhane has been passed fit to team up with Emerging Ireland for their three-match tour in South Africa next month.
Easterby, who will become the interim Ireland Test team coach when Farrell is on his sabbatical in charge of the 2025 British and Irish Lions, has named a 33-strong squad for the upcoming fixtures in Bloenfointein versus the Pumas, Western Force and the Cheetahs.
Admired as a thought and deed leader, the influence of young Fraser Dingwall at Northampton Saints has quickly thrust him into a position of responsibility.
After featuring in eight Le Crunch encounters, France-England is now very much a past tense fixture for Mathieu Bastareaud as he settles into life with James Kennedy's MLR New York.
