It has been difficult to sell tomorrow's Anglo Irish Bank international between Ireland and the Barbarians at Lansdowne Road (1.15) as a competitive entity, not some frothy chaser to the IRFU's 125th anniversary celebrations.
The sceptics will view it as nothing more than a try-fest devoid of the competitive hardness of Test rugby - and Ireland take off on a three-Test tour of the Americas on Monday, so for some players avoiding injury tomorrow will be a concern.
This line of thinking glosses over the value of this encounter on several levels. The match affords several fringe players an opportunity to impress national coach Warren Gatland and set down an early marker for Test places.
Gatland spoke of this during the week, and also ventured, perhaps tongue in cheek, that it represented an occasion to debunk the myth that Ireland teams have been somewhat anaemic when deprived of the mental hardness and bottle of the Munster contingent: as a motivational tool this has its merits.
The match also represents an opportunity for those who find Six Nations tickets elusive to go and watch some of the best players in world rugby.
Ireland field seven of the players who started against Wales in the final Six Nations championship match, including the entire three-quarter line, full back Girvan Dempsey, second row Malcolm O'Kelly and flanker Simon Easterby.
Ireland, it seems, will adopt a fluent approach: wings Shane Horgan and Denis Hickie will approve. In midfield, Rob Henderson could again provide a perfect foil for Brian O'Driscoll, his strong and intelligent running allowing his partner latitude to showcase his considerable ability.
Barbarians coach Bob Dwyer has described O'Driscoll as "an exceptional talent" and said the Barbarians would have been quick to offer him an invitation to play in the final two games of the three-match tour, against Scotland and Leicester, had he not been departing on tour with Ireland. This game should be perfectly pitched to maximise the impact of the young Leinster centre. A midfield battle which pits Henderson and O'Driscoll against Walter Little and Pieter Muller should offer some explosive collisions.
David Humphreys, Ireland captain for the day, has been in excellent form both at national and club level and his swift hands should facilitate the more expansive approach. Beside him, Guy Easterby awaits his first cap - none are awarded for this match - but receives an overdue reward for a superb season with Ebbw Vale.
Blackrock College hooker Shane Byrne is another who deserves his chance.
Malcolm O'Kelly's form has been exceptional this season and this match should be perfectly suited to his athletic prowess, while for Paul Wallace, Eric Miller and Andy Ward there is a chance to impress selectors.
Promising young players, Jeremy Staunton and Marcus Horan - if they return safely from Twickenham - Robert Casey and Geordan Murphy should all get some time on the pitch.
The obvious attraction of All Black colossus Jonah Lomu has overshadowed the allure of several of his Barbarians teammates. From South African full back Stefan Terblanche to the Welsh/American back row axis of Colin Charvis, Kingsley Jones and Dan Lyle, there is latent quality in tomorrow's visitors. This game could offer the perfect climax to a great weekend for Irish rugby if Munster can grab European Cup glory today.
The Teams
IRELAND: G Dempsey (Terenure College); S Horgan (Lansdowne), B O'Driscoll (Blackrock College), R Henderson (Wasps), D Hickie (St Mary's College); D Humphreys (Dungannon, capt), G Easterby (Ebbw Vale); J Fitzpatrick (Dungannon), S Byrne (Blackrock College), P Wallace (Saracens), M O'Kelly (St Mary's College), J Davidson (Castres), S Easterby (Llanelli), E Miller (Terenure College), A Ward (Ballynahinch). Replacements: B O'Meara (Cork Constitution), J Staunton (Garryowen), G Murphy (Leicester), T Brennan (St Mary's College), R Casey (Blackrock College), M Horan (Shannon), F Sheahan (Cork Constitution).
BARBARIANS: S Terblanche (South Africa); K Logan (Scotland), P Muller (South Africa), W Little (New Zealand), J Lomu (New Zealand); H le Roux (South Africa), A Pichot (Argentina); K Yates (England), J Dalton (South Africa), C Dowd (New Zealand), I Jones (New Zealand) capt, G Morgan (Australia), C Charvis (Wales), D Lyle (US), K Jones (Wales). Replacements: R Howley (Wales), N Jenkins (Wales), M Perry (England), R Kruger (South Africa), R Brooke (New Zealand), J Leonard (England), R Cockerill (England).
