Ireland will aim to end a seven-year English domination of the men's Home Internationals when the first four-cornered series of the new millennium tees off at Carnoustie, Scotland today.
The two countries have been the major players in the contest over the past decade, Ireland winning three years in a row from 1990 to 1992 but have been runners-up for the past seven seasons as England got their hands on the trophy each time.
Athlone member Eddie Dunne, who played for Ireland in the contest between 1973 and 1979, takes charge of the side for the first time after having succeeded Mick Craddock and admitted he is quietly confident of victory.
"We have an excellent side and I'm really looking forward to the week," said Dunne. "We have a nice blend of experienced players and young players and within the group there is also I think a good blend of skill and character."
Ireland boast five new caps - Justin Kehoe, Michael McDermott, Graeme McDowell, Mark Murphy and Tim Rice - the most of any of the four nations but that did not concern the captain.
"The reason that does not bother me is because all the lads have experience of playing for Ireland in a team capacity. They have come up through boys and youths level and know what it is required - it is just taking it another step up this week."
Dunne's optimism is justified as one of the new caps - McDowell - has been one of the top Irish performers of the season.
The Rathmore player won the Irish Amateur Championship as well as the World Universities Championship and was joint runner-up in the recent European Amateur Championship in Austria.
Add to that the experience of players such as Portmarnock's Noel Fox, who captured both the Irish Strokeplay crown at Royal Dublin and the East of Ireland title in Co Louth this year, and it is easy to see why the Irish team are being seen once again as possible champions.
To do that they will first have to overcome host nation Scotland on day one, a feat they have managed successfully for the past 10 years, but Dunne warned against any form of complacency.
"I know it has been close between ourselves and England for the title over the past few years but I'm not thinking about anything else except the match tomorrow," he said.
"It is always difficult to take on the Scots but especially on their own patch. I've looked at the history books and I know we have a good record against them but that is all in the past and means nothing - tomorrow is all that counts."
Ireland
John Foster (Ballyclare), Noel Fox (Portmarnock), Michael Hoey (Shandon Park), Justin Kehoe (UCD, Birr), Andrew McCormick (Scrabo), Michael McDermott (Stackstown), Graeme McDowell (Rathmore), Ciaran McMonagle (Dunfanaghy), Adrian Morrow (Portmarnock), Mark Murphy (Waterville), Tim Rice (Limerick).
