Veteran scrum-half Conor Murray has returned home to Ireland midway through Munster's tour of South Africa for personal reasons.
Sam Prendergast will start at flyhalf for Emerging Ireland in their second match of the South Africa tour against Western Force on Sunday.
Olympian Zac Ward is set to start on the wing for Emerging Ireland on Wednesday against the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
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.
Munster has named their team for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship opener against Connacht with new signings Thaakir Abrahams, Tom Farrell, and Billy Burns set to make their debuts.
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.
Zebo may have retired and RG Snyman may have headed up the N7 to Leinster but Munster's low-key recruitment has been shrewd