Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago Fixture: Saturday, 1 November Start time: 20:10 GMT
Coming back to the location of one of their iconic triumphs, Ireland find themselves with a statement to make.
Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.
The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the middle of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.
Reflecting on that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "swept away" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.
For Ireland, the team focused intensely and set about breaking their own 111-year drought.
The culmination was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that revolutionized the direction of Irish rugby and fueled an intense and captivating contest between the sides.
Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a waning team.
Farrell's Challenge
Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured a great deal as Ireland manager, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that heightened to a burgeoning rivalry.
But, having come back to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by assertions that he leads an older and undercooked Irish squad heading into an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.
However, there is no doubting that Ireland are at an interesting juncture two years out from the World Cup in Australia.
In Farrell's absence, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a thumping and sobering home defeat by France.
Farrell brought a historic number of Irish players on the Lions tour, the aftermath from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.
Ireland's preparations have not been aided by injuries to key players, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.
Fly-Half Returns
Given Ireland's starting lineup having not played together since the Six Nations win over Italy in March, Farrell has been training with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.
And, having assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with in-form athletes.
Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a strong start to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are deserved starters at inside centre and right wing.
In the forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a consistent flanker option.
Farrell has also indicated his more veteran squad members of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.
Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar since performing well for the under-20s in a training session against the senior side a couple of years ago and, while he is only five weeks removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to sample the highest level.
Leadership Role
With Caelan Doris on the bench after returning from shoulder surgery, Farrell has entrusted Dan Sheehan with the leadership role.
The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and captained the Lions against Western Force in June, winning both games.
Sheehan said the existing team replicating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of successes.
"That 2016 moment, we've discussed it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.
"Significant moments, everyone has a remembrance of where they were and how special that day was.
"Obviously we've had some significant clashes against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty buzzing to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."
NZ Targeting Three in a Row
New Zealand are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after just beating an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.
The All Blacks are certainly more experienced than Ireland, with a Test series against France and the Rugby Championship meaning them playing nine times since the start of July.
New Zealand have come runner-up to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his doubters, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team boasting match-winning talent.
Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance at fly-half is a considerable boost for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been brilliant against Ireland in the past.
And in Will Jordan the All Blacks have one of the game's most effective finishers. The 27-year-old usually excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.
Everything to Play For
Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a historic loss to avenge.
Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to drum up interest in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's top teams has all the perfect components.
Ireland will undoubtedly not be lacking in support, with emerald shirts present all over central Chicago on Friday night.
Their appearance at Soldier Field will recall memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to propel Ireland over the line then. Whether it does the trick in Chicago for the return engagement is yet to be determined.
Starting XVs
Ireland: J Osborne; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan (capt), T Furlong, J Ryan, T Beirne, R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan.
Replacements: R Kelleher, P McCarthy, F Bealham, I Henderson, C Doris, C Casey, S Prendergast, B Aki.
New Zealand: W Jordan; L Carter, Q Tupaea, J Barrett, C Clarke; B Barrett, C Roigard; E De Groot, C Taylor, F Newell, S Barrett (capt), F Holland, S Parker, A Savea, P Lakai.
Replacements: S Taukei'aho, T Williams, P Tosi, J Lord, W Sititi, C Ratima, L Fainga'anuku, D McKenzie.
