Ireland v Australia, 2.30pm, Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
Ireland Women take on their Australian counterparts for the first time in seven years in Belfast this afternoon as the IRFU kick off their 150th anniversary celebrations.
While the Sevens teams meet regularly on the World Series tour, you have to go back to the 2017 World Cup for the last time the 15s sides clashed.
Ireland won a classic pool game 19-17 in Dublin but Australia gained revenge in the seedings play-off when they prevailed 36-24 at Ravenhill, also today's venue.
In rugby terms, and especially in relation to the journey the Ireland team has been on since then, it’s a lifetime ago.
That loss, and the subsequent defeat to Wales, set Ireland off on a journey that would ultimately end in failure to qualify for the next World Cup.
Fast forward seven years, two coaches and two captains later, Ireland find themselves with a new sense of purpose.
Just six months after a first Wooden Spoon finish in the Six Nations since 2004, the Ireland rejuvenation began with a WXV3 title win in Dubai last October under head coach Scott Bemand.
A third-place finish in his first Six Nations campaign saw World Cup qualification secured without any drama.
"I was aware of some of the turbulence but I think since Scott has come in it seems to have really settled and you can see the progress of the girls," said Australia head coach Jo Yapp, a former England captain.
"They’ve got into WXV1 now and you can see the growth and they’ve got a strong coaching team and are back on track."
The downside to the upside of finishing third meant that Ireland skipped the second tier of the WXV series and face New Zealand, Canada and USA in Vancouver.
They’ll meet the challenges and 'take their learnings’ but, with a World Cup on the horizon at the end of next year, a few hit-outs against teams of similar stature in WXV2 might have been better for their development.
Time will tell.
That’s why today’s game appears more of an even match-up.
"I actually think it's a brilliant opportunity," Bemand said. "We’re going to have to get used to playing this calibre of opponents."
The Wallaroos are ranked fifth in the world, while Ireland moved from tenth to ninth last weekend due to other results.
They have played five internationals this year losing all three of their Pacific Four Series games to Canada, USA and New Zealand.
They had a 64-5 win over Fiji but went down 62-0 to the Black Ferns in July.
In team news Bemand hands debuts to wing Vicky Elmes Kinlan (above) and lock Ruth Campbell, who both start, while uncapped duo Siobhán McCarthy and Erin King are on the bench.
Sam Monaghan, Béibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly, Natasja Behan, Sadhbh McGrath and Méabh Deely are all out with injury and there are seven changes to the side that beat Scotland 15-12 in April.
Six of the Sevens players named in the wider squad make the matchday 23 with Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe and Elmes Kinlan starting, while Stacey Flood, Erin King, Eve Higgins and Emily Lane are on the bench.
"We’ve had two really, really good training weeks in terms of what it’s been like to come from a Sevens pitch, to a 15s pitch and everything I’ve seen so far they’ve taken to it like ducks to water," said Bemand.
"There was definitely a period of two sessions just working it out and we’re absolutely seeing it come to life this week.
"We’ve named a few of the girls who’ve come in to start, a few have come on to the bench. It’s been an unbelievable opportunity to bring some firepower on as the game breaks up."
Clíodhna Moloney is the sole Irish player remaining from the side that last played Australia in 2017, while Eimear Considine, recalled after over two years out, played in the pool game against the Wallaroos in Belfield.
Australia have named three uncapped players in her squad with forwards Alapeta Ngauamo, Tiarah Minns and Lucy Dinnen all set for debuts off the bench.
"Our strength is our versatility," said back row Dinnen (above) when asked to describe her team, who don't have any members of the Sevens side that beat Ireland twice in Paris.
"I think we are very fast, our eyes-up footy is really good.
"If we see an opportunity the girls have that confidence to take it and we go together as a team.
"That connection with the backs and forwards is growing. We can rely on each other and have faith that the next person is going to make the tackle."
Brianna Hoy, Piper Duck and Tania Naden are all out injured and flanker Siokapesi Palu captains the team for the first time.
Aoife Wafer, a Six Nations player of the championship nominee, was outstanding in two cameos for Leinster as they won the Interpros last month, while Brittany Hogan stood out in Ulster’s campaign.
Getting the ball into the hands of these two back rows will be central to Irish hopes today.
Bemand has also stressed the importance of defence on the outcome.
Ireland conceded the most tries, 26, during the Six Nations, and appointed Hugh Hogan as defence coach last month.
"We’ve got to be able to keep people out so that when we are firing shots, we’re in positions to win games," he said.
It’s not easy to gauge Australia's level when looking at results against southern hemisphere counterparts with Ireland rarely facing off against the likes of New Zealand or Fiji.
However, last season’s WXV1 results may tell a tale of where they are at: wins over Wales and France, who beat Ireland 38-17 in March, were recorded.
The visitors have played five times since Ireland last kicked a ball in anger and may just have too much but staying in the fight and improved cohesion would be a solid return for Ireland ahead of bigger bouts to come.
Verdict: Australia
Ireland: Eimear Considine; Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Dorothy Wall, Ruth Campbell; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon (capt), Brittany Hogan.
Replacements: Clíodhna Moloney, Siobhán McCarthy, Christy Haney, Fiona Tuite, Erin King, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, Stacey Flood.
Australia: Lori Cramer; Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Cecilia Smith, Desiree Miller; Faitala Moleka, Natalie Wright; Bridie O'Gorman, Ashley Marsters, Eva Karpani; Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard; Siokapesi Palu (capt), Leilani Nathan, Tabua Tuinakauvadra.
Replacements: Tiarna Molloy, Alapeta Ngauamo, Lydia Kavoa, Tiarah Minns, Lucy Dinnen, Layne Morgan, Arabella McKenzie, Biola Dawa.
Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)
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