Ireland vs. South Africa: Key Battles to Watch in Dublin
Ireland face trial by fire on Saturday, opening up their autumn Test series with the most difficult of their three international fixtures when they play host to South Africa.
Joe Schmidt's first year as head coach of the Six Nations title holders was a highly positive one but now the pressure is on to show marked improvement having had ample time to integrate his plans.
Less than a year remains until the 2015 Rugby World Cup gets underway, and South Africa bring the kind of elite examination Ireland can expect to encounter in the competition.
We discuss a sample of the key battles that could dictate the result in Dublin this weekend.
1. Jonathan Sexton vs. Handre Pollard
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A thigh injury looked to have put Jonathan Sexton's involvement this weekend in some shade of doubt, but the Racing Metro star should be fit to line up opposite Handre Pollard in a tantalising encounter of shrewd minds.
Ireland team manager Mick Kearney is quoted by Johnny Watterson of the Irish Times in speaking positively of the No. 10's chances to start at the Aviva Stadium:
"It was intended that Johnny Sexton would only play a portion of the game for Racing on Saturday night so he played 40 minutes and he came off. He has some tightness but nothing of concern. He will train later on today."
Schmidt has some impressive backups in the shape of the two Ians, Leinster's Madigan and Munster's Keatley, but Sexton clearly stands out as Pollard's most difficult obstacle.
Since moving to the Top 14, Sexton has shown glimpses of substantial improvement in terms of his physicality, and a high line of pressure in defence will be pivotal to restricting Pollard's willingness to carry the ball.
The Springbok youngster has injected a spike of adrenaline into Heyneke Meyer's back line, more than Morne Steyn ever has, and the race to test one another's carrying skills makes for an exhilarating battle at No. 10.
2. Paul O'Connell vs. Eben Etzebeth
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In a head-to-head of experience and pure, genetic talent, Paul O'Connell will look to enforce that old mantra of respecting one's elders when taking on one of the most promising assets in the sport, Eben Etzebeth.
Meyer has a number of seasoned options at lock himself, with Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield among those vying for a place in the second row, but the fact Etzebeth can hold his own in that debate indicates just how stellar his quality has become.
O'Connell has continued to marshal Munster and Ireland with the same sense of adrenaline as ever but on Saturday will face a young, mobile unit who also isn't likely to run out of gas at any juncture.
Etzebeth will seek to spoil Ireland's chances at establishing any mauling advantage from the line-out and, aside from his contributions in the loose, that struggle alone could be worth substantial points.
3. Rob Kearney vs. Willie le Roux
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Jared Payne's impressive form for Ulster at fullback has led to calls for the New Zealand defector to make his Ireland debut in the No. 15 jersey, but there's a great chance Schmidt could keep things simple with Rob Kearney's selection.
In the Leinster man, Schmidt knows where he stands, and with the threat of Willie le Roux descending upon the Aviva, this may not be the appropriate time for wild experimentation.
If it is Kearney who gets the nod, his awareness under the kick will be of vital importance, with Le Roux arguably among the most devastating assets in the world when it comes to catching his opposite man out of position.
Depending on how often the Cheetahs star comes into Meyer's line, taking the kick in his stride and chipping over with those deft feet as he so often likes to, Kearney will have a busy day with his back to the run of play.
However, a lot of that will depend on the conditions and mood Le Roux finds himself in, with the sometimes hot-and-cold magician also showing a trait of inconsistency with his genius.
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4. Peter O'Mahony vs. Marcell Coetzee
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Marcell Coetzee came into this year's Rugby Championship initially as little more than injury cover, with expectations sitting higher on other shoulders in the Springboks back row.
However, the absence of Willem Alberts didn't become a grave issue for South Africa as Coetzee thrived upon his opportunities, even outshining Francois Louw for the games he featured in at times.
The Sharks workhorse encounters a blind-side asset of similar dimensions in Peter O'Mahony, though, and to see these two knuckle down for ruck domination will be a spectacle to behold.
Alongside Chris Henry, O'Mahony formed a dogged flanker partnership at the Six Nations earlier this year. The pair often swarmed any opponent unfortunate enough to be isolated by them.
Munster's leader figure often shines as a pack beacon when able to find his stride, but immovable object will face immovable object on Saturday in a fight that's likely to be exhausting just to watch.
5. Jared Payne vs. Jan Serfontein
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As aforementioned, recently confirmed Ireland convert Payne is no certainty in terms of position this weekend but as the journey begins to find Brian O'Driscoll's successor, outside centre stands as a likely hub.
South Africa's No. 13 selection remains a topic of debate, too, with Damian de Allende, JP Pietersen and Jan Serfontein each having featured there in the past year, the latter of whom has a strong chance of starting in Dublin.
Jaque Fourie has been called up as another option, but Serfontein did impress during the Rugby Championship and should partner Jean de Villiers.
The uncertainty makes this position an enigmatic tug-of-war to call, Payne having shown at Ravenhill in recent seasons what a dynamic source of creation he can be, while Serfontein hasn't dazzled in attack of late.
As such, one might expect the South African to rely on counter manoeuvres if he's to win the tie, with De Villiers' experience a large factor in how much possession Serfontein will receive.
Robbie Henshaw enters Schmidt's No. 13 race as another respectable selection, although his attacking prospects would make for a similar prospect to anything Payne would bring to the role.
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