Carolan's colts can test mighty All Blacks
The Irish men from the U20s to their senior brethren, have never beaten New Zealand at international rugby
This is a measure of the pressure from previous failures on Ireland and on The Baby Blacks.
Their coach Scott Robertson won't want to be their fall guy, especially after blitzing Georgia 55-0 on Tuesday.
Irish coach Nigel Carolan has been forced to make one change as tight-head Ben Betts comes in for the injured Conor Kenny ahead of what has been the litmus test at this level against the five-time winners.
The Irish trade on their refusal to bow when they bend.
The manner of their fightback from a 17-0 deficit against Wales to overcome the Grand Slam winners 26-25 had to be seen to be fully appreciated.
They turned on the substance, rather than the style, to gradually gain the upper-hand up front. Ireland will need more of the same, and more, to humble the favourites.
Ireland: J Stockdale (Ulster); M Byrne (Leinster), S Daly (Munster), C O'Brien, H Keenan (both Leinster); B Johnston (Munster), S Kerins (Connacht); A Porter (Leinster), A McBurney (Ulster), B Betts (Munster), C Gallagher (Connacht), J Ryan, G Jones, D Aspil, M Deegan (all Leinster).
New Zealand: J Trainor; S Stevenson, P Tomkinson, J Barrett, M Tuitama; S Perofeta, S Nock; A Johnstone L Apisai (capt), S Kautai, Q Strange, I Walker-Leawere, L Jacobson, M Jacobson, M Mikaele-Tu'u.
Verdict: New Zealand
Ireland u20 v New Zealand u20 (today 1.30, live TG4/sky sports 3)