Andy Farrell returns as head coach of Ireland almost a year on from his last victory in green.
Farrell's success as British and Irish Lions coach hasn’t taken him far away from his national role, with his fingerprints all over Irish selections and style of play.
Ireland’s evolution across the November internationals will be fascinating to watch, although major changes in personnel aren’t expected.
Many of the starting positions across the Irish team can be assumed.
The first-choice front row of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong will most likely be reinstated.
Ireland’s last full-strength selection was the loss to France in the Six Nations when Tadhg Beirne was selected in the second row.
Beirne played in the back row under Farrell during the Lions tour, but I’d expect him to keep his second-row place against New Zealand this weekend, based on the injury to Joe McCarthy and Ireland’s strength in the back row.
Of course, that too depends on Ireland’s injury worries in the back row.
Jack Conan (above) missed Leinster's defeat to Munster last week, but you’d expect him to take a place in the back five.
His jersey number is also dependent on Caelan Doris’ ability to return from injury in time to captain the side against the All Blacks.
It’s easier to pick Ireland’s definite selections in the back five positions, and fill in the number on their back after that.
Doris, if fit, will start at eight, Josh van Der Flier will resume his role at openside flanker, despite being out of favour during the Lions tour, and Beirne will slot in, presumably at second row.
From there, you’re most likely looking at Conan at six and James Ryan partnering Beirne.
Conan played all three Tests for the Lions, which may not have been the case if Doris was fit.
I’d expect Farrell to fit Conan into the team, but there’s an outside chance that he will still start at eight, with Ryan Baird taking up his role as a blindside flanker/second-row hybrid.
There aren’t too many surprises coming in the pack.
Iain Henderson and Baird are likely to take their place on the bench.
However, an injury or change of heart in selection would make for an interesting continuation of the shootout between Nick Timoney and Cian Prendergast for an involvement in the 23.
Thomas Ahern pushing his way ahead of those more experienced players would be exciting for Munster supporters, however, Farrell isn’t likely to springboard him in when he’s resettling his team, and with the All Blacks up first.
Despite returning relatively early from a hamstring injury, Craig Casey will again be the understudy to Jamison Gibson-Park.
The Munster man has certainly made his case for Farrell to back him, but the poor timing of his injury will probably make that conversation slightly easier.
One of the big talking points, as usual, has been the out-half debate.
I’d be flabbergasted if Jack Crowley hasn’t done enough to warrant a start. If not now, then when?
Chicago seems like the right time for Crowley to get the backing of his coaches.
Availability in the back line has been inconsistent.
Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki have both picked up knocks, and without knowing the full medical history of the back line, it’s impossible to call.
Aki would be the favourite to start at inside-centre.
Henshaw did his best to spark something in their struggles against Munster last week, but was unable to affect the gainline enough for Leinster to get a foothold.
With injury doubts in the 12 shirt, I’d like to see Stuart McCloskey backed as Ireland’s option for gainline success.
It’s most likely that Garry Ringrose will take up his usual role in midfield after a subdued performance last weekend, returning from his concussion issues during the summer.
James Lowe is nailed on in the back three, and despite calls for Jacob Stockdale to step into Hugo Keenan’s jersey, I believe that Jamie Osborne will thrive once again.
He seems to be a Farrell favourite and has looked measured in pretty much every performance.
Mack Hansen’s injury has opened up the right wing spot.
After featuring there during the summer internationals, Tommy O’Brien is favourite to take that place.
Jimmy O’ Brien is next man in, but his exclusion before Hansen’s injury would suggest that it is Tommy O’Brien’s jersey for now.
Interestingly, Farrell will have a decision between a 6:2 and more traditional 5:3 bench split between forwards and backs.
If he goes with a 6:2 split and Crowley starting, there could be no place for Prendergast in the match day squad, with Ciarán Frawley covering out-half, inside centre and full-back directly.
Ireland's squad has been hit with injuries, whether they are longer-term absences like Doris, or shorter-term complications like Conan and O’Brien.
It’s impossible to know how the Irish team are shaping up, unless you’re on the ground in Chicago.
The timing could be better when facing the All Blacks.
They’ll be closing out a season after a competitive Rugby Championship and had far more time together in recent months when compared with Ireland.
Ireland have players returning from a long season that included a Lions tour, and others returning from injury.
Both contingents within their squad are low on match minutes, yet Farrell seems to have a knack when it comes to preparing his team.
It’s a chance to layer on to their attacking strategies, something they’ve been at the cutting edge of under Farrell.
An extended lead into this game means that Ireland will have the usual clarity of role and game strategy when they take to Soldier Field on Saturday for another historic battle with the All Blacks.
Whether they can do enough to repeat their heroics from 2016, only time will tell.
