Ireland v New Zealand - all you need to know

Nine years on from a seismic day in Irish rugby, Ireland and New Zealand return to Soldier Field in Chicago for the latest instalment of what has become a major rivalry.

Prior to their 40-29 win in 2016, Ireland had never beaten the All Blacks over the previous 111 years of the fixture, but the last 10 meetings have been shared equally between the nations.

Certainly, the fear factor is now gone from an Irish perspective, while New Zealand have found themselves seeking to re-establish their dominance.

A return to the scene of that seminal victory of 2016 will stir glorious memories for those in green, but the All Blacks will travel to the United States eager to make up for a defeat that changed the landscape of this fixture.

This week's game also marks the start of Ireland's autumn internationals as after their American adventure, they will return home for Tests against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

There will be live audio commentary on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster with commentator Jim Neilly alongside former Ireland international Chris Henry from 20:00 GMT.

The commentary will also be available on the BBC Sport website where you can also follow blow-by-blow action with our live text commentary.

For all the build-up and analysis, make sure to follow our dedicated Irish Rugby page.

French referee Pierre Brousset will be the man with the whistle in Chicago on Saturday.

He will be assisted by compatriot Luc Ramos and England's Karl Dickson.

England's Ian Tempest is the television match official (TMO) with another Englishman, Dan Jones, in charge of the foul play review process (FPRO).

Ireland's Six Nations campaign saw them finish third. Despite winning four of their five games, a 15-point defeat by France in Dublin proved costly as with just three bonus points picked up overall, they finished two points behind Les Bleus with England one ahead in second.

With 18 players involved in the British and Irish Lions' tour to Australia, it was an opportunity for many of those on the fringes to show what they could do as Ireland travelled to Georgia and Portugal in the summer, winning both Tests.

New Zealand enjoyed a 3-0 home series win over France in the summer before turning their attention to the Rugby Championship where, after securing an opening win over Argentina, they were stunned by the Pumas seven days later.

They shared the home series with South Africa and retained the Bledisloe Cup with back-to-back wins against Australia, but it was not enough to win the overall championship as they came up short on points difference to the Springboks.

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was forced to make some changes to his initial squad.

Mack Hansen suffered a foot injury in last week's United Rugby Championship (URC) game for Connacht against the Bulls, while Munster pair Edwin Edogbo (concussion) and Brian Gleeson (elbow) have also been forced to stay at home.

Into the squad have come uncapped Munster centre Tom Farrell and Leinster's Jimmy O'Brien.

Bundee Aki (hip) and Robbie Henshaw (groin) have travelled with their progress to be monitored, while captain Caelan Doris may be in line for his first action since injuring his shoulder in Leinster's Investec Champions Cup semi-final against Northampton Saints in May.

As for New Zealand, head coach Scott Robertson was also forced into a change from his initial squad with veteran lock Patrick Tuipulotu ruled out with a shoulder injury, replaced by Sam Darry.

Josh Lord has been included among the locks with Tupou Vaa'i unavailable because of a knee injury, while uncapped prop Tevita Mafileo has been included as a thumb injury has ruled Tyrel Lomax out.

As mentioned above, Ireland's victory over New Zealand in Chicago nine years ago proved a turning point in this fixture.

While it was New Zealand dominance up until that point, the past 10 meetings have been shared equally.

The All Blacks did gain revenge for their loss in Chicago by beating Ireland in Dublin a fortnight later, but in 2018, Ireland would then record their first win at home against New Zealand.

In 2022, they won for the first time on New Zealand soil before backing it up seven days later to secure a 2-1 series win, but the All Blacks have always found a way to bounce back, thumping Ireland in a 2019 World Cup quarter-final in Japan and in the 2023 tournament in France, came through 28-24 as they held out despite latest Irish pressure.

The last meeting between the teams took place in Dublin last year when the All Blacks came away with a 23-13 victory.

Damian McKenzie kicked six penalties to give the All Blacks a lead midway through the second half despite a Josh van der Flier try for Ireland just after the break, but a Will Jordan try would put the issue beyond doubt.

After temporarily stepping away after last year's autumn internationals to focus on his role as head coach of the British and Irish Lions, Andy Farrell is back at the helm with Ireland.

Simon Easterby deputised in Farrell's absence, but the return of a man who guided Ireland to a Grand Slam in 2023 and a Six Nations championship the following year will be viewed as a boost with a degree of certainty returning.

There may still be a little bit of settling back in to do for the coach and of course, those players he brought to Australia for the Lions tour.

If there is one task to focus his mind back on the job, a Test against the All Blacks will be it, but it will be a test in every sense of the word and for the coach, he will be eager to ensure his return gets off to the best possible start.