Ireland face Japan on Saturday in the early afternoon, and while it's an encounter we're absolutely expected to win it, it's important in the context of the shortcomings last week at the set-piece, in our attack and in our kicking game.
We also have to be mindful of what's coming down the line over the next two weeks. Joe Schmidt's Australia are here on Saturday week, and South Africa, the number one team in the world, the following week.
It's a huge game from that point of view.
It was obvious that Andy Farrell was going to make changes, and he's made eight in total, with four up front and four in the backline.
It's still a very balanced side, mixed with experience and opportunities for other players, including Tom Farrell.
Farrell will win his first cap at 32, and last week Stuart McCloskey was brought back into the midfield at 33.
We've relied for so long on the likes of Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, and Garry Ringrose that the depth layer underneath them in midfield has failed to catch up.
That's a concern, but Farrell is in there on merit. He arrives on the international stage via a circuitous route.
He was let go by Leinster's academy years ago and then went and won an AIL with Lansdowne. He then played for the Bedford Blues and subsequently got a chance with Connacht. He played really well there, but injuries stalled his progress for a while.
There were younger players coming through at Connacht, which meant they let him go. However, he ended up being the player of the season at Munster last season, and their players speak really highly of him.
To get your first cap at 32 is fairytale stuff.
Jack Crowley starts at 10. Johnny Sexton was such a dominant feature in the position over the last decade that the layer underneath him also suffered to a degree.
Crowley had developed brilliantly, I thought, under Sexton. He had a great first season after Sexton retired. Sam Prendergast then came on the scene. Both are still trying to find their feet, and, for me, Crowley deserves this opportunity.
It will be interesting to see how he starts the game with Craig Casey. They have a great understanding from playing together at Munster.
Crowley was a bit unlucky last week. Some of his kicking was a little too deep, and I think he just needs to relax more in the role. I do see him playing in the bigger games.
Prendergast will likely come on and get 20 minutes in this one, but this is an area of concern, given both young players are under massive focus and attention, and are still trying to find their feet.
Donal Lenihan was speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland
Watch Ireland v Japan in the Quilter Nations Series on Saturday from 12pm on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra.
