The relevance of this meeting, for both nations, is clear; a valuable opportunity for several players to open their lungs ahead of the Six Nations. A last chance perhaps for two veterans, Mike Ross and Gordon D’Arcy, having been dropped by Leinster coach Matt O’Connor.
O’Connor ignored the big picture when guiding his team into the European Champions Cup quarter-final. That meant favouring younger, more versatile props Marty Moore and Tadhg Furlong with Ian Madigan shoehorned into centre as Jimmy Gopperth remains O’Connor’s trusted 10 while Madigan’s place-kicking, besides the Coventry aberration, is essential to Leinster success.
We’ll also see Luke Fitzgerald play left wing again. O’Connor saw Fitzgerald’s value in midfield but that berth seems well stocked by Robbie Henshaw, Jared Payne and Darren Cave with Keith Earls wearing 13 tonight.
Earls, yet to play a test match in the Joe Schmidt era, is looking forward to the contest with England’s Rugby League convert Sam Burgess.
"Big fan of Sam," said Earls. "I've been watching him in Rugby League in Australia. He's a documentary out, Slammin' Sam, that was good as well. He's a phenomenal athlete and for a fella who is only 26 he's a lot done."
He certainly has. Before joining Peter Stringer at Bath late last year Burgess led Russell Crowe’s South Sydney Rabbitohs to victory in the NRL Grand Final – winning man of the match despite fracturing his cheekbone in the opening minute.
League convert
Burgess also famously decimated Sonny Bill Williams, the most famous and successful convert from League to inside centre, during the All Black’s brief return to the NRL in 2013.
Earls will have some much needed assistance from D’Arcy. They last partnered up against Argentina in November 2012 and should D’Arcy excel in this latest mismatch, in a career of so many, then he may well provide an experienced link between 10 and 13 in Rome.
Jack McGrath also gets much-needed exposure following suspension and with Cian Healy evidently not ready to play rugby just yet.
Ross and Nathan White are indirectly tussling to join Marty Moore as Ireland’s tighthead in Rome.
Henderson potential
Iain Henderson also gets some exposure at lock. Ulster’s growing 22 year old has the potential to climb into the role Paul O’Connell will one day vacate. This could be the night that journey commences in a green jersey. Of course, it already started at the under-20 World Cup in 2012 when he dominated the baby ‘Boks on South African soil.
Jack Conan also gets recognition for his powerful performances in Leinster’s backrow who, along with Dominic Ryan, almost made up for Seán O’Brien’s long term absence. Almost.
Anyway, finally, the Tullow tank returns alongside this pair tonight.
That’s the value of this fixture; a chance for Ireland to become a more ferocious proposition as they attempt to defend their Six Nations title. Such is the attrition nowadays, they’ll probably need all of them at some stage.
There’s also the small matter of the English invading Cork city. That still matters.
