Paddy Wallace looking to be Ronan O'Gara's back-up

Lansdowne Road
Sunday, 26 November
Kick-off: 1445 GMT
Live: BBC2; Radio Ulster MW and BBC Online.

It is a strange-looking Ireland outfit that faces the Pacific Islands in what is the final Test showdown on Sunday before Lansdowne Road is rebuilt.

With nine changes from the team that defeated Australia the previous week, coach Eddie O'Sullivan has a chance to monitor the real depth of his squad.

Although there are three new faces, all eyes will be on Paddy Wallace filling Ronan O'Gara's key role at fly-half.

Wallace will be keen to repay his coach for the faith he has shown in him.

The Ulsterman steps up to the plate still looking for his first touch of the ball in international rugby after a three-minute debut against South Africa two weeks ago in which he had no real involvement.

Wallace has always been a favourite of O'Sullivan's whom he believes has the flair and ability to be the perfect cover for O'Gara.

Injury has robbed Wallace on a number of occasions just when it seemed he was about to stage a breakthrough to the international arena.

He has also been long in the shadow of David Humphreys at Ulster, but a move sideways to inside centre, which he believes fulfils the same role as fly-half, has seen his confidence return.

I'm following in some famous footsteps and I want to do the shirt justice Paddy Wallace

"It was great to get my first cap against South Africa and a relief to get that monkey off my back. Now I'm starting," said Wallace.

"I have been playing at number 10 in training for the last few weeks so I'm comfortable with the job in hand.

"I'm following in some famous footsteps and I want to do the shirt justice."

Of the three new caps, teenager Luke Fitzgerald, son of former tight-head prop Des, will be monitored the most.

He was playing rugby at Brian O'Driscoll's alma mater last season at Blackrock College, but has shown enough class and talent for O'Sullivan to toss him in against some big, strong-running Islanders.

The other two debutants Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip feature in a completely revamped back-row with Simon Easterby looking to make a case for a recall after the heroics of Neil Best in recent weeks.

O'Sullivan may be experimenting, but it is still a very strong Ireland side while it hasn't been an easy ride for the visitors Islanders who have combined the talent Tonga, Samoa and Fiji to try take on Europe.

They slipped up against Wales (38-20), and Scotland (34-22) last and make five changes for the trip to Dublin.

However, on both occasions when it looked like the tourists would be walked over and left for dead - they always came storming back in the second half to deny any major thumping.

But the strong and incredibly talented Pacific Islands team should not be taken lightly even though Ireland are riding high on confidence at the moment after dispatching South Africa and Australia off consecutive weekends.

Having moved up to third in the IRB world rankings, Ireland should end with a clean sweep of their autumn fair.

Ireland: G Dempsey, L Fitzgerald, B O'Driscoll, S Horgan, D Hickie, P Wallace, P Stringer; B Young, F Sheahan, J Hayes, M O'Kelly, P O'Connell, S Easterby, SD Ferris, J Heaslip.
Replacements: R Best, S Best, D O'Callaghan, D Leamy, I Boss, R O'Gara, G D'Arcy.

Pacific Islands: N Ligairi, L Fa'atau, S Rabeni, E Seveali'i, K Ratuvou; T Pisi, M Rauluni; J Va'aHale A Lutui, T Taumoepeau, D Leo, S Raiwalui (capt), N Latu, M Molitika, T-Pole.
Replacements: M Schwalger, T Felise, E Taione, A Ratuva, J Poluleuligaga, S Mapasua, A Tuilagi.

Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)