If we were being picky, we would have placed Friday night's under-lights blockbuster at the far end of the Autumn Nations Series but with four tantalising Test matches over the next four weekends on the menu, we're not going to complain.
As it is, we will have to just put up with the visit of New Zealand as the opener for the campaign.
With next year being the IRFU's 150th anniversary, there's an extra game, with Australia the visitors on the final weekend, the fact that it brings back Joe Schmidt to Irish shores for the first time as a head coach an added boost for the fixture.
A lot has happened since the Kiwi left in the wake of a disappointing World Cup in 2019 but he is assured of a warm welcome.
In the space of six seasons, he delivered three Six Nations championships, including a stunning Grand Slam in 2018 that featured unforgettable wins in Paris and London.
But first things first - a rematch, for which the IRFU have a special lights show organised for before kick-off, with the team that knocked Ireland out of the World Cup 12 months ago in heartbreaking fashion.
New Zealand and Ireland have built up a brilliant rivalry over the last eight years, all kick-started by the 2016 clash in Chicago that put an end to 111 years of misery at the hands of the All Blacks.
The 40-29 victory at Soldier Field has been followed by eight matches, all but one, the 2019 quarter-final in Japan, high-quality, absorbing, first-class Tests that showcased the best of what the sport is about.
Eight games, four wins apiece, with two of the Irish successes coming in Dunedin (23-12) and Wellington (33-22) in 2022, arguably Ireland's finest away performances of the professional era.
Ireland also hit the heights in Aviva Stadium victories in 2018 and 2021, winning 16-9 and 29-20, respectively.
Even the 2013 loss at the Dublin venue, when New Zealand scored a converted try in overtime to break Irish hearts again, served to add fuel to the rivalry, as much as everyone here concerned would have loved to see out the game.
The standalone Test match occupies its own plain in rugby hierarchy, and they are not nothing but Irish players would surely give 10 wins over New Zealand in these 'friendlies', as captain Rory Best called the 2018 game, for victory in a World Cup knock-out game, not least the one last October.
That 28-24 loss is a wound that won't be healed by a win on Friday so it's best just to enjoy it for what it is, another uncompromising, brutal battle between two of the world's best sides at a sold-out Lansdowne Road.
"It will be a great atmosphere, New Zealand are in town, it doesn't get much bigger than that," said Simon Easterby, interim head coach in-waiting.
New Zealand, ranked third in the world, scored three tries as they beat England 24-22 at the weekend, but the hosts missed two kicks late on that would have won the day.
Felipe Contepomi's Pumas are next on the list on Friday week for Ireland, who start the series as world number one.
Argentina face into their autumn schedule off the back of their most successful Rugby Championship where they claimed wins over all three rivals, including victory over New Zealand in Wellington.
The South Americans, ranked sixth, will have a game against Italy under their belts by the time they arrive in Dublin.
The fixture will be the fourth November international between the sides since 2017 with Ireland winning all three ties.
Fiji come to Dublin on Saturday, 23 November for a 3.10pm kick-off where it's expected Andy Farrell will give debuts to the likes of out-half Sam Prendergast and back row Cormac Izuchukwu.
Mick Byrne's side beat Japan in the final of the Pacific Nations Cup in September but lost 57-17 to Scotland in last weekend's game at Murrayfield, a result that saw them drop one place to tenth in the rankings.
Ireland have won all five previous meetings with the last clash in 2022 finishing 35-17.
By the time the Wallabies, ranked ninth, arrive for the final game on 30 November, they will have faced off against England, Scotland and Wales and Schmidt will know a lot more about his side, who claimed only one win in the Rugby Championship.
There's a lot of rugby to be played between now and that anniversary celebration game will also mark Farrell's last game before he departs for Lions duty.
The autumn internationals are always special, shortening the run into the Christmas period for sports fans who want big teams on big stages given their all.
This run should be no different.
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