Japan v Ireland: In essence it's an examination of their professionalism. That Ireland will win this Test shouldn't be an issue but what is of primary concern after the first Test at the Nagai stadium in Osaka is how they accomplish that goal.
There is less mitigation for underachievement this week. Issues that might have had some relevance seven days ago simply don't apply.
There is minimal disruption to the composition of the team, three of the four changes being in a new-look backrow that includes two former Lions, David Wallace and Eric Miller.
Their inclusion and that of the promising Denis Leamy brings a more obvious ball-carrying edge. The other change offers a more sustained trial of Northampton-bound David Quinlan and his aptitude for international rugby. He'll be asked to employ his power constructively and destructively.
But perhaps the most salient moment from an Irish perspective at the team announcement was the confirmation that David Humphreys would recover from the mouth injury that forced him off the last day. Ireland played three-quarters of the first Test without their captain and were much the poorer for it.
In the 22 minutes he was on the pitch, Humphreys manufactured one searing break and looked sharp and authoritative. Those elements - kicking aside - were lacking when Jeremy Staunton took over the pivotal role.
Humphreys needs to bring his experience and distribution skills to bear tomorrow to maximise the talent of those outside him.
Gavin Duffy, Tommy Bowe and Anthony Horgan caused serious problems for their hosts last Sunday on what was essentially a lean diet; the three will be keen to dine more greedily this time. Ireland made 28 unforced errors last week, a figure that would cost them two matches in the Six Nations Championship.
Stand-in head coach Niall O'Donovan has impressed upon the players that such profligacy won't suffice or be tolerated.
These two Tests were intended as opportunities to evaluate the merits of about a dozen players for Test rugby and that remit hasn't changed.
Ireland disappointed last week, maybe not often individually but certainly in collective execution and accuracy.
It is likely the parameters and patterns will be a little less constricting tomorrow. Certain areas that need to be addressed, most prominently rucks, where the cleanout must be more ruthless.
In fairness, Ireland were hampered last week by referee Nigel Owen's liberal attitude toward offside and the rudiments of set-piece play. O'Donovan will be hoping Nigel Whitehouse applies the laws more consistently.
The home side have made five changes, retaining two of the frontrow replacements from Osaka in Shigeyasu Takagi (loosehead prop) and Masakazu Nakabayashi (hooker).
Australian-born lock Jamie Washington is dropped, Hajime Kiso coming into the secondrow instead.
Restored to the outhalf role is veteran Keiji Hirose, Japan's most capped player in that position and their leading points scorer ever with 346. There is one further change, Hirotoki Onozawa included on the left wing.
Japan were a disappointment even to themselves the last day. Noted for their counterattacking ability and given every encouragement by Ireland's error rate, they made very few inroads.
They'll be looking to get more ball for cult hero and right wing Daisuke Ohata, who has scored 44 tries in 45 matches, including eight in a match against Chinese Taipei and six against Hong Kong. But they are likely to be living off scraps if Ireland produce any sort of performance.
Japan haven't the scrum or lineout to survive at this level, and denied a platform, they really should be in serious trouble.
They did manage to be competitive at the breakdown but Ireland aren't likely to afford them that sort of freedom again. The new Irish backrow will offer a new dynamic to the pack and should guarantee plenty of front-foot possession. Leo Cullen and Matt McCullough, both of whom excelled the last day, have recovered from knocks.
Ireland need to be patient and accurate and look to establish continuity to their patterns. They almost scored from first phase on a couple of occasions last week and if they mange to get four or five phases then the gaps will appear in the home defence.
O'Donovan would like to be in a position to give the uncapped Kieran Lewis an opportunity from the bench, with Duffy possibly switching to fullback.
Talking of the latter position, Girvan Dempsey reaches a milestone tomorrow - his 60th cap.
The Prince Chichibu stadium is a tight, compact 28,000 all-seated ground and the indications are that the majority of tickets have been sold for this match.
The Japanese are unfailingly polite and will applaud good rugby. The onus is on Ireland to produce a performance worthy of their status in the international game. It could be an afternoon to remember for all concerned.
JAPAN: G Tachikawa; D Ohata, R Parkinson, Y Motoki, H Onozawa; K Hirose, W Murata; S Takagi, M Nakabayashi, R Yamamura; T Kumagae, H Kiso; H Makiri, R Asano, T Miuchi (capt). Replacements: K Tsuagoshi, K Kasai, T Nakai, T Itoh, S Goto, T Tomioka, A Goromaru.
IRELAND: G Dempsey (Leinster); T Bowe (Ulster), G Duffy (Harlequins), D Quinlan (Northampton), A Horgan (Munster); D Humphreys (Ulster, capt), P Stringer (Munster); M Horan (Munster), F Sheahan (Munster), S Best (Ulster); L Cullen (Leinster), M McCullough (Ulster); D Leamy (Munster), D Wallace (Munster), E Miller (Leinster). Replacements: R Corrigan (Leinster), B Jackman (Leinster), T Hogan (Munster), A Quinlan (Munster), K Campbell (Ulster), J Staunton (Wasps), K Lewis (Leinster).
Referee: N Whitehouse (Wales).
