Ireland put out the strongest team they could with regards to injuries, Stephen Ferris was on the bench after making his comeback from a troublesome knee injury.
The game was seen as an experimental game to Ireland fielding a side with new cap Mike McCarthy starting and a new look midfield partnership with Paddy Wallace and Fergus McFadden starting in midfield for Ireland
This was the day that the spirit of Lansdowne Road finally arrived at the Aviva Stadium as Ireland produced a good old fashioned performance full of passion