The Irish team and New Zealand Primed for Windy City Showdown

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago Date: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT

Coming back to the location of one of their most famous victories, Ireland stand with a mission to accomplish.

Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before meeting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were global title holders and in the thick of an 18 consecutive victories, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.

Looking back at that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week conceded the All Blacks got "caught up" in the hubbub created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

Meanwhile, the team focused intensely and set about lifting their own century-long hoodoo.

The culmination was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an fierce and compelling rivalry between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a waning team.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a growing rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by claims that he leads an veteran and undercooked Irish squad entering an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no questioning that Ireland are at an pivotal moment two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's time away, they lost the Six Nations title after a thumping and reality-check home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a record Irish contingent on the Lions tour, the fallout from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.

Ireland's preparations have not been assisted by physical setbacks to key players, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.

Given Ireland's starting lineup having not played together since the Six Nations win over Italy in March, Farrell has been working with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned on the back of a impressive beginning to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are deserved starters at inside centre and right wing.

In the pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also signaled his more seasoned athletes of the youth coming through by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar since impressing for the under-20s in a training session against the senior side a couple of years ago and, while he is only five weeks since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to taste the elite competition.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has awarded Dan Sheehan with the leadership role.

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, coming out on top in both contests.

Sheehan said the present squad replicating the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"That 2016 moment, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Significant moments, everyone has a memory of where they were and how unique that day was.

"Clearly we've had some big battles against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty buzzing to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

New Zealand are seeking a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a earned 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are certainly more seasoned than Ireland, with a Test series against France and the Rugby Championship leading to them playing nine times since the start of July.

New Zealand have placed second to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his critics, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team packed with game-breaking talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance at fly-half is a considerable boost for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been brilliant against Ireland in the past.

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks boast one of the game's deadliest finishers. The 27-year-old usually excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries scored against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a historic loss to rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to generate excitement in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the right ingredients.

Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys dotted all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their appearance at Soldier Field will recall memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to drive Ireland over the line then. Whether it does the trick in Chicago for the second time remains to be seen.

Ireland: J Osborne; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan (capt), T Furlong, J Ryan, T Beirne, R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan.

Replacements: R Kelleher, P McCarthy, F Bealham, I Henderson, C Doris, C Casey, S Prendergast, B Aki.

New Zealand: W Jordan; L Carter, Q Tupaea, J Barrett, C Clarke; B Barrett, C Roigard; E De Groot, C Taylor, F Newell, S Barrett (capt), F Holland, S Parker, A Savea, P Lakai.

Replacements: S Taukei'aho, T Williams, P Tosi, J Lord, W Sititi, C Ratima, L Fainga'anuku, D McKenzie.