Churchill Cup: They may be together just over a week, and flying to the west coast of America can be a taxing experience, but considering Michael Bradley took charge for two A internationals away to France and England already this year, nothing short of victory will suffice tonight.
The US Eagles have drafted in some spies in the shape of Dublin University director of rugby Tony Smeeth and former Ulster coach Alan Solomons but despite a few Southern Hemisphere surnames in the ranks, the home team field a very inexperienced side. Hooker Owen Lentz and backs Jeff Hullinger, Vaha Esikia, Tyson Meek and Alipate Tuilevuka all make international debuts.
Cardiff Blues reserve Kurt Schubert captains the side but the number eight and Leeds Tykes loosehead prop Mike MacDonald are the only professional players in the team.
True, South African fullback Francois Viljoen, Fijian outhalf Tuilevuka and Kiwi blindside Todd Clever will have to be policed with care but nothing concerted is expected.
Paddy Wallace - in a real career opportunity - will be expected to release John Hearty and Robert Kearney off early-phase ball, as there is pace in abundance out wide in Simon Keogh and Andrew Maxwell to finish off line breaks.
Plenty of clean possession is expected from the in-form openside and captain Shane Jennings, while Jamie Heaslip and Trevor Hogan will be called upon to make the hard yards.
It will be interesting to see how the 24-year-old former Queensland Reds tighthead prop Tom Court performs. But, more importantly, the team combinations must click as this is merely a dress rehearsal ahead of next week's meeting with the New Zealand Maori.
It is unclear whether any places in that game are up for grabs as senior coach Eddie O'Sullivan will probably have a few names already pencilled into next Saturday's starting line-up.
The priority in the Churchill Cup is to unearth some decent cover for inclusion in next year's World Cup squad.
It means there will be serious scrutiny of performances at tighthead (Court), halfback (Tomás O'Leary and Wallace) and back row in particular.
IRELAND: A: R Kearney (UCD, Leinster); S Keogh (Harlequins), J Hearty (Galwegians, Connacht), D Quinlan (Northampton Saints), A Maxwell (Ballymena, Ulster); P Wallace (Ballymena, Ulster), T O'Leary (Dolphin, Munster); R Hogan (Galwegians, Connacht), J Fogarty (Buccaneers, Connacht), T Court (Ballymena, Ulster); T Hogan (Shannon, Munster), M McCullough (Ballymena, Ulster); J Muldoon (Galwegians, Connacht), S Jennings (Leicester Tigers, capt), J Heaslip (Clontarf, Leinster). Replacements: D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins, Ulster), B Blaney (Terenure, Leinster), D Browne (Northampton Saints), N McMillan (Ballymena, Ulster), E Hickey (UCD, Leinster), K Lewis (St Mary's, Leinster), R McCormack (Leinster).
USA: F Viljoen (Belmont Shore); M Palefau (Haggis), S Sika (BYU), V Esikia (Blackjacks), J Hullinger (BYU); A Tuilevuka (BYU), T Meek (Denver Barbarians); M MacDonald (Leeks Tykes), O Lentz (Washington), J Tarpoff (St Louis); C Hansen (Olympic Club), M Mangan (Chicago Griffins); T Clever (Mahurangi (NZ), T Petruzzella (Olympic Club), K Schubert (Cardiff, capt). Replacements: P Bell (Life), C Osentowski (Belmont Shore), M French (OMBAC), B Schoener (OPSB), M Aylor (Austin), B Barnard (Golden Gate), M Timoteo (Hayward).
Ireland A v USA
Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, 10pm (Irish time)
ON TV: Live on Sky Sports 3
