The All Blacks. A name which strikes fear and awe into rugby teams and supporters around the world.
New Zealand are on a European tour and their next destination is Dublin, where Andy Farrell’s Ireland will look to pull off the improbable.
Ireland began their Autumn campaign with a 60-5 evisceration of an undercooked Japan side last weekend - a nice ego boost before the real acid test.
As for the All Blacks they have left a trail of destruction behind them on their journey north, racking up 205 points in three fixtures against the USA, Wales and Italy.
They will know Saturday is a different proposition however, and their last visit to the Aviva Stadium in 2018 ended in defeat.
And not only will Ireland be their sternest opponents of the tour so far - Wales were heavily understrength - they also will be playing in front of a packed Lansdowne Road.
Supporters - the game’s lifeblood - are back and the Aviva is a sellout. The roar of the crowd was sorely missed. It will be poignant to hear it in all its glory once again.
Here is everything you need to know as Ireland look to topple the mighty All Blacks.
What is it?
Ireland’s second November Test match, against the world’s number one side New Zealand.
When is it?
The game takes place on Saturday November 13th, with kick-off at 3.15pm.
How can I watch it?
Saturday’s Test is being broadcast live on RTÉ 2 (coverage starts at 2.15pm) and also on Channel 4 (2.45pm). You can also keep an eye on all the action via the Irish Times liveblog, which will be up and running from around 2.30pm.
Can I go?
Saturday’s fixture is arguably the biggest sporting event to be held in Ireland with a full capacity crowd since the start of the pandemic - so it’s no surprise it has sold out. Supporters who did manage to bag tickets won’t have found it cheap however, with adult stand tickets being sold from €105-€125.
What happened last weekend?
Ireland eased their way back into action as the Brave Blossoms wilted in Dublin - it was only Japan's third Test since they hosted the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Farrell's side ran in nine tries in an enterprising, enjoyable performance, with Johnny Sexton earning his 100th Ireland cap.
As for New Zealand they made wholesale changes and were slightly disjointed - but ultimately lethal - as they beat Italy 47-9 in Rome. This had followed a 54-16 win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium - a result which needs taking into context, given the hosts were without their English Premiership players and have a lengthy injury list.
Team news
Iain Henderson has been restored to the Irish secondrow, with Tadhg Beirne reverting to the bench, while the only other change from the Irish '23' from last week's win over Japan sees Rob Herring recalled to the replacements.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Andrew Conway (Munster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Johnny Sexton (Leinster, capt), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster); Iain Henderson (Ulster), James Ryan (Leinster); Caelan Doris (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster).
Replacements: Rob Herring (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Conor Murray (Munster), Joey Carbery (Munster), Keith Earls (Munster).
For New Zealand, Ian Foster has made 14 changes in personnel from last Saturday's line-up for the scrappy 47-9 win over Italy with Beauden Barrett preferred to Richie Mo'unga as the starting outhalf.
New Zealand: Jordie Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece; Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara; Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Ethan Blackadder, Dalton Papali'i, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa'i, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili.
Going down swinging
Ireland’s bravery in possession against Japan and willingness to offload was refreshing, and according to Gordon D’Arcy they must take a similar mentality into the All Blacks clash - even if the stakes are far higher.
In his column this week, he writes: "Are we brave enough to throw an offload that yielded a try against Japan, knowing that if it doesn't go to hand it is very likely sevens point down the other end of the pitch?
“The opening few minutes of the Japan match filled me with confidence in a perverse way. Passes and offloads were spilled and in times past that might have seen ambition shrivel.
“Ireland kept teasing and feeling. The focus within the squad seems to be less about mistakes and more about the decision, and then the execution. This slight shift provides a safety mechanism psychologically. In winning the big matches errors or setbacks can’t be allowed to inhibit players and that is why the mental side of sport is so important.
“Perhaps our players ceded too much of their individuality to the overly defined approach over recent seasons, and are now starting to remember the joy of playing. “
The hundred club
Johnny Sexton and Beauden Barrett are set to line up opposite each on Saturday having both recently graduated to the 100-cap club. Sexton made his 100th Ireland appearance against Japan, with Barrett doing the same for New Zealand against Wales. Sexton is six years Barrett’s senior, and the match-up could well decide the outcome of the Test.
Recent history
If you only look at recent results, then Ireland have a very healthy record against New Zealand - a 50 per cent win rate in the last four fixtures.
However the landmark win in Chicago in 2016 was the first in an otherwise one-sided relationship, with the All Blacks gaining swift retribution when they visited Dublin a few weeks later.
Ireland then beat New Zealand 16-9 on home soil in 2018 - perhaps the peak of the Joe Schmidt era - before facing a familiar backlash in a 46-14 defeat in the quarter-finals of the 2016 Rugby World Cup.
Overall, the tally currently reads - Ireland played 32, won two and drawn one.
What are the bookies saying?
Unsurprisingly, the All Blacks are heavy favourites.
Ireland 16-5 Draw 22-1 New Zealand 2-9 (New Zealand -11 10-11)
Who’s on the whistle?
England's 33-year-old ref Luke Pearce is in charge on Saturday.
How’s the weather looking?
The forecast is for a dry and relatively mild - 13 degrees - day on Saturday. Ideal for running rugby, rather than dragging the Kiwis into the trenches.
