IRELAND welcome New Zealand to Dublin for their opening November international this weekend.
Andy Farrell’s men will face the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium in the first game between the sides since their World Cup quarter-final.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match.
When is it on and what time is kick-off?
Ireland vs New Zealand takes place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin tomorrow night – Friday, November 8.
It has quite an unusual kick-off time, with it beginning at 8:10pm.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown live on Virgin Media 1, with coverage beginning at 7pm.
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What are the teams?
Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Jamie Osborne.
New Zealand: Will Jordan, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamaiti Williams, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta.
What are the odds?
Ireland are FAVOURITES to avenge their 2023 Rugby World Cup defeat on Friday, with many bookies pricing them between 2/5 to 4/9.
The All Blacks, on the other end, are valued in and around the region of 2/1 to 21/10.
What has been said in the build-up?
Ireland’s defeat to the All Blacks at the World Cup, as well as the associated Johnny Sexton vs Rieko Ioane saga, has provided a bit more spice to the rivalry.
Friday’s hosts have beaten New Zealand four times since their first ever win in Chicago in 2016.
That run included the Test series win in New Zealand in 2022, while the Kiwis have reigned supreme at back-to-back World Cup quarter-finals.
However, head coach Andy Farrell dismissed the suggestion that Friday’s game will be a revenge mission.
He said: “You’re playing against one of the best teams in the world. I mean everyone knows that’s the truth.
“We want to constantly be up there competing with the best so if that’s not motivation within itself . . .
“I mean playing against the All Blacks has always brought that edge to any type of game.
“This is a top-level Test match that everybody wants to be involved in.
“Revenge for a year ago? There’s been a lot of rugby played. A lot of water that’s gone under the bridge as well. I don’t see the relevance of the last game at all.
“It’s different. Different coaching staff, a few different players, a long time ago, a new start for them and us learning. We were gutted to lose that game but that’s so much in the distant past for us now because, to cut a long story short, we nearly won that game by the way, you know? We take a bit of pride from that.
“I look at New Zealand’s performances of late and they nearly beat South Africa a couple of times. There’s nothing in it and that’s how it should be.”