New Zealand, the world number one, the All Blacks, call them what you will, they are 15 of the most talented rugby footballers on the planet. Ireland, having never beaten them will have to seriously defy the odds and all recent evidence to even get within seven points come the final whistle.
Declan Kidney has retained all the players he could, from the team he put out against South Africa two weeks ago. The only change is the promotion of Ulster's Tom Court, wedging into a tight-head position in place of the injured Tony Buckley.
That means a recall for Rob Kearney, Mick O'Driscoll, David Wallace and out-half pairing Eoin Reddan and Jonathon Sexton.
The above recalls were all a bone of contention, despite poor showings from the incumbents who faced Samoa last week. With the vastly reduced number of kicks required from a modern fullback it had been rumoured that Geordan Murphy would be asked to add his superior counter attacking skills to the mix.
There is no such drama in the selection, though Devin Toner's showing in last weeks test debut has earned him a replacement's jersey after Donnacha Ryan received a three week ban for stamping in the 20-10 win over the pacific islanders.
Speaking of the pacific, New Zealand have pulled few punches in their chosen XV. They are relatively inexperienced at scrum half where Andy Ellis gets the nod over Alby Matthewson. However, in a first choice XV neither would wear the number nine ahead of the rested Jimmy Cowan.
Any lack of know-how in that area will surely be compensated for - and then some- by the record breaking Mils Muliaina and Richie McCaw who will both line out for their 93rd cap, surpassing Sean Fitzpatrick's record of 92.
Elsewhere, the phenomenon that is; Rugby League convert Sonny Bill Williams is on the bench, primed for a second half introduction. Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'arcy will be up against the silver fern's tried and trusted midfield of Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, who Williams calls "the best centre partnership in the world."
Ireland's scrum has come in for major criticism in recent weeks and they are unlikely to gain any respite. However, the addition of Hikawera Elliot in place of suspended hooker Kevin Mealamu, means Ireland must target the line out as the darts will be thrown by the debutante who has little experience of even Super 15 rugby.
If the Kiwi line-out fails to function then the difficulty of Ireland's task can be reduced from impossible to mere 'Everest.' But even then an extra oxygen tank and a sherpa or two would be a massive help in conquering those black jerseys over 80 minutes.
Ireland: 15 Robert Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (captain), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Mick O'Driscoll, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Tom Court, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 John Hayes, 18 Devin Toner, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Keith Earls.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 John Afoa, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Liam Messam, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
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