Ireland take on the world champions New Zealand in Canada in the early hours of Monday morning.
The game in Vancouver is the first match of the WXV1 series and has a 3am kick-off (Irish time).
Scott Bemand's side, ranked seventh in the world, come into the game off the back of consecutive victories, the friendly win against Australia in Belfast two weeks ago and the Six Nations success over Scotland last April.
That ensured a third-place finish and guaranteed World Cup qualification, while also meaning that the team would skip WXV2; they won the third tier of the inaugural series last year in Dubai soon after Bemand took over from Greg McWilliams.
The 36-10 victory over the Wallaroos showed that the team is on an upward trajectory; Australia are in the second tier and Ireland were good value for that winning margin.
The Black Ferns, however, are a different proposition altogether.
They sit second in the rankings behind England and their 2022 World Cup final win over England secured a fifth title in the last six renewals.
"We wanted to qualify and that’s what we did, and we found ourselves in WXV1," said centre Aoife Dalton.
"That’s where we want to be. What an opportunity to play against the World Cup champions."
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The last time they met opposition of this calibre was against the Red Roses in the Six Nations when England ran in 14 tries in a demolition job.
While the hosts were on fire that day in Twickenham, Ireland were guilty of some shocking defensive play and naive kicking.
It does, however, provide a good benchmark for the team’s progress, and if they can make Allan Bunting’s side work hard for their scores – something England didn’t have to do – then it will be a worthwhile exercise.
Wafer (above) was on the Six Nations team of the tournament and has scored four tries in eight internationals.
"I'm loving it," the Leinster back row said when asked about her form.
"You play your best when you are having a bit of fun and that's what I'm trying to do, take in every moment.
"When I was out with injury it wasn't the nicest place to be so to be able to play with this group of girls and to enjoy every moment is something I'm proud of and grateful for."
It will be the third meeting between the sides: Ireland won a 2014 World Cup pool match 17-14, while the Black Ferns won a 2016 encounter 38-8 in Dublin in 2016.
Bemand makes two changes to the last side out with Stacey Flood coming in at full-back and Fiona Tuite (above) starting ahead of Ruth Campbell, who drops out of the 23.
New Zealand director of rugby Bunting has made seven personal and two positional switches from their 24-12 defeat in Twickenham a fortnight ago.
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u moves from blindside to 8, and Ruahei Demant switches to out-half after playing at first centre against England.
Hooker Atlanta Lolohea is named for her first start in only her third Test. Marcelle Parkes will start at loosehead prop for the first time.
Lock Chelsea Bremner and full-back Renee Holmes are set to start in their 20th Test for New Zealand, who finished a disappointed fourth in last year's WXV1.
"[Ireland] were the team that knocked the Black Ferns out of the 2014 World Cup so I know we’ll take this game personally," said Liana Mikaele-Tu’u.
"We’re able to play for that team who got knocked out. We want to introduce ourselves to them and let them know that the Black Ferns are here to make a statement."
Ireland upset the odds in the win over the Wallaroos in Belfast but tonight's opponents are another level up.
'Firing a few shots' and staying the game for as long as possible is a good target for Bemand's charges.
Verdict: New Zealand
Ireland: Stacey Flood; Eimear Considine, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe; Dannah O'Brien, Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon (capt), Brittany Hogan.
Replacements: Clíodhna Moloney, Siobhán McCarthy, Andrea Stock, Grace Moore, Erin King, Emily Lane, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.
New Zealand: Renee Holmes; Ruby Tui, Logo-i-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Katelyn Vahaakolo; Ruahei Demant (co-capt), Maia Joseph; Marcelle Parkes, Atlanta Lolohea, Amy Rule; Chelsea Bremner, Maiakawanakaulani Roos; Layla Sae, Kennedy Tukuafu (co-capt), Liana Mikaele-Tu'u.
Replacements: Luka Connor, Chryss Viliko, Tanya Kalounivale, Alana Bremner, Lucy Jenkins, Iritana Hohaia, Hannah King, Mererangi Paul.
Referee: Sara Cox
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