By the time referee Marius van der Westhuizen blows the full-time whistle at the Aviva Stadium tonight, eight players may have made their Test bows. The stage is set for the latest crop of Ireland internationals.
Canada are not expected to upset the odds and lower the colours of a team that sit 13 places ahead of them in the latest IRB world rankings, but the individual performances and team partnerships will make for intriguing viewing in the second match of Ireland’s Autumn Series (Kick-off 7.15pm Live on RTÉ 2 and Radio One).
Garry Ringrose, Billy Holland and Jack O’Donoghue will get their first taste of the Test arena against the weakest of the sides Ireland face in November, with the uncapped James Tracy, John Ryan, Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath and Niyi Adeolokun all primed for action off the bench.
The highs of Soldier Field Stadium will be difficult to capture against Mark Anscombe's side, but it is an ideal run-out for some fringe players to show that they can play a bigger part on Schmidt’s squad.
For Peter O’Mahony and Seán O’Brien, it will be all about getting match sharpness with bigger challenges against the All Blacks and the Wallabies on the horizon.
O'Brien (l) and O'Mahony missed the All Blacks in their battle back to full fitness
Connacht’s Tiernan O’Halloran will look to unleash his potent counter-attack from full-back at every opportunity, though his defensive duties may not face the rigorous examination as in his two previous appearances in South Africa.
Craig Gilroy and Keith Earls will hope to force their way into the match-day squads over the next fortnight, but undoubtedly the main focus in the backline will be the midfield partnership of Ringrose and Luke Marshall.
The Leinster tyro has been eased into the international set-up and if he can recreate any of the form shown last season and in the early parts of this campaign, he has the ability to cause huge damage to the Canadians.
Inside him will be a player itching to show Ireland fans his undoubted abilities. The Ulster player made his debut three years ago alongside Brian O’Driscoll, but a series of injuries means he has collected just eight caps.
Marshall scored his first international try on the South African tour
Defensively solid and a fine distributor, the 25-year-old will be keen to strike up a quick understanding with Ringrose and will offer himself as first receiver for Paddy Jackson whenever required.
The front row has a hard edge to it and Finlay Bealham starts for the first time, eager to put pressure on Tadhg Furlong, very much the first choice tighthead.
The dynamic Seán Cronin makes a rare start – the Leinster hooker has made 25 Six Nations appearances, all from the replacements bench – and with Cian Healy returning to form after a lengthy lay-off, the Canadian scrum is likely to come under serious pressure.
The second row is inexperienced, but couldn’t be any more contrasting.
Ultan Dillane has just 87 minutes played in a green jersey, but the 23-year-old looks destined for a long international career after some sensational performances at provincial level and has already looked at home at Test level.
Holland will partner Ultan Dillane in the second row
Alongside him is 31-year-old Billy Holland, a man who has had to bide his time in Munster battling with the likes of Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll and Donnacha Ryan. The teak-tough Corkman has been rewarded for his patience, not to mention his versatility.
Schmidt has already alluded to Holland’s work-rate, but he also brings physicality and a shrewd rugby brain to the mix.
His Munster team-mate Jack O’Donoghue will be looking to carry as much ball as possible with O’Brien and O’Mahony completing a formidable back row.
The team is not only one with an eye to the future, it is about maintaining the standards set in Chicago and applying pressure on those ahead of them in the queue.
Ireland represent the sternest challenge of Canada’s three-Test November, with Romania and Samoa to follow, but their December world ranking, crucial to World Cup 2019 qualification, will be very much in their thoughts.
Anscombe has challenged his side to take inspiration from Ireland’s result against the All Blacks, though a win for the visitors would be of a similar shock to that historic result in Chicago.
No team under the guidance of Schmidt is likely to suffer from complacency and with two heavyweights coming to Dublin over the next fortnight, now is the time to shine for the new breed.
