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Ireland captain Dan Sheehan says his side are "ready to rip" into tonight's Chicago Test against New Zealand as he brushed aside talk of the squad being "undercooked".

Sheehan is one of several Ireland players with only one game under his belt since the British and Irish Lions tour in the summer.

But the hooker insists Ireland will be ready for the latest chapter of their All Blacks rivalry at Soldier Field as Andy Farrell's team attempt to replicate the famous 2016 win over the southern hemisphere giants at the home of the Chicago Bears.

"I've seen a good bit [of talk] that we might be undercooked, but I don't think it's a massive part," said Sheehan, who will lead Ireland with squad skipper Caelan Doris on the bench, at the captain's run on Friday.

"I think the way we've prepped over the last two weeks has been through real tough training [sessions] and we can take confidence from that and how we trained.

"Obviously a few lads have played a bit more game time but I think people are good and refreshed bodies ready to rip into Saturday."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Soldier Field

I'll be honest, when we arrived on Wednesday afternoon, there were no immediate signs of a rugby takeover in Chicago.

That changed yesterday as the great green wave hit Downtown Chicago, with Ireland jerseys and woolly hats (yes, it's pretty cold) seemingly everywhere.

It may be cold, but we've been treated to lovely blue skies all week.

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Nine years is a long time in professional sport, so it's a bit of a surprise to see eight players who played in Chicago in 2016 back for this tantalising rematch.

For Ireland, Tadhg Furlong will again start at prop, while Josh van der Flier and Garry Ringrose move from the 2016 bench to today's starting line-up.

Finlay Bealham reprises his role on the Irish bench.

The All Blacks also have four returning players, and they all start.

Beauden Barrett is back in his 10 shirt, while Codie Taylor, Scott Barrett and Ardie Savea were on the bench in 2019 but start today.

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Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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While the eye was almost automatically trained upon who would be the occupant of the 10 jersey when Andy Farrell revealed his team on Thursday afternoon, the big surprise was the presence of Stuart McCloskey at inside centre.

The 33-year-old starts for a third time in succession but his selection for Soldier Field on Saturday is certainly a different kettle of fish compared to summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal when a host of regulars were on British and Irish Lions duty.

McCloskey's 22nd cap will be his first run against the All Blacks and, although Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw travelled carrying knocks, Farrell says the Ulster player "thoroughly deserves" his chance.

Something of a form selection, the hard-carrying McCloskey will be expected to provide go-forward ball as one of few Irish players with three starts under his belt already this season.

His opposite number Jordie Barrett is hugely familiar to plenty of Ireland's side after a short stint with Leinster last season.

A versatile player with a complete skillset, Barrett's best position is at inside centre and, at 28-years-old, he is one of the best 12s in the world.

Head coach Scott Robertson described him this week as the sort of player who "coaches before they are coaches" and his contributions figure to be even more valuable on Saturday given how well he knows the opposition.

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New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson said Jordie Barrett has given his team some "insights" into Ireland as they prepared for tonight's game.

The 28-year-old spent the second half of last season at Leinster, who have provided the bulk of the Ireland squad for this autumn series.

After helping the Irish province win last season's United Rugby Championship, Barrett returned to the Hurricanes in New Zealand but has not ruled out a second stint with Leinster.

For now, he is preparing to face many of his former team-mates and Robertson is delighted to have Barrett's influence around the All Blacks' squad.

"Jordi is pretty special. You get players on your team that are coaches before they are coaches," he said at a news conference on Tuesday.

"He studies the game, studies the opposition. His memory on people's statistics, where they play.

"He has given us some good insights and it is great for him to be part of our team. He's looking forward to the game and has a few mates on the other side."

New Zealand Rugby

New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson has recalled Beauden Barrett and Caleb Clarke for tonight's big one.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Barrett, 34, returns at fly-half after missing the All Blacks' final Rugby Championship game against Australia with a shoulder injury.

Barrett starts alongside his brothers Scott and Jordie - the latter helped Irish province Leinster win the United Rugby Championship last season.

Wing Clarke also missed the win over the Wallabies after making his only Rugby Championship appearance of the year against Australia the week before.

Damian McKenzie and Leicester Fainga'anuku drop to the bench, while there is no place for Leinster-bound centre Rieko Ioane in the matchday squad.

Ethan de Groot has recovered from concussion to start at loose-head prop in Robertson's only other change from the 28-14 win over Australia in Perth on 4 October.

New Zealand: W Jordan; L Carter, Q Tupaea, J Barrett, C Clarke; B Barrett, C Roigard; E De Groot, C Taylor, F Newell, S Barrett, F Holland, S Parker, A Savea, P Lakai.

Replacements: S Taukei'aho, T Williams, P Tosi, J Lord, W Sititi, C Ratima, L Fainga'anuku, D McKenzie.

It's the biggest show in town.

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Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist in Chicago

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Jack Crowley's return to the 10 jersey is not overly surprising, but still significant. The Munster man was Ireland's first-choice out-half during their 2024 Six Nations title win, but lost his place to Sam Prendergast during last year's autumn Tests.

However, Crowley has started the season strongly and his starring role in Munster's comprehensive United Rugby Championship win over Leinster has helped him edge out Prendergast.

It will be a big day for Ulster's Stuart McCloskey, too. The 33-year-old started both summer wins over Georgia and Portugal, but has found run-outs with the frontline team hard to come by in the past couple of years.

"I can't count how many times we've had those type of conversations [about him not being selected] but he thoroughly deserves his chance this weekend," said Farrell, who added that McCloskey has "upped" his leadership qualities.

Those summer wins were a breakout for Leinster wing Tommy O'Brien, who scored four tries over the two games, and Ireland fans will hope the 27-year-old proves an able deputy for Mack Hansen.

Ireland Rugby

Jack Crowley has been named at fly-half in Ireland's much-anticipated Chicago rematch against New Zealand, while returning captain Caelan Doris will start on the bench.

With Doris among the replacements, Jack Conan starts at number eight, while Dan Sheehan will skipper Ireland for the second time, having taken on the role in the Six Nations win over Wales earlier this year.

Sheehan is joined in the front row by Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong, who also started at tight-head prop in Ireland's historic win over the All Blacks at Soldier Field in 2016.

Leinster prop Paddy McCarthy is poised to make his Test debut after being named on the bench.

Injuries to Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen have forced head coach Andy Farrell to shake up his back three, with Jamie Osborne and Tommy O'Brien selected at full-back and right wing.

Joe McCarthy's foot injury means James Ryan starts in the second row alongside Tadhg Beirne, with Ryan Baird and Josh van der Flier alongside Conan in the back row.

Stuart McCloskey will start alongside Garry Ringrose in midfield with Bundee Aki, who has been struggling with a hip injury, named on the bench. Ringrose and Van der Flier featured off the bench in Ireland's historic Chicago win over the All Blacks in 2016.

Ireland: J Osborne; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan (capt), T Furlong, J Ryan, T Beirne, R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan.

Replacements: R Kelleher, P McCarthy, F Bealham, I Henderson, C Doris, C Casey, S Prendergast, B Aki.

Image source, Inpho

The Ireland players have been enjoying their time in Chicago.

Here, Josh van der Flier, Nick Timoney and Finlay Bealham look like they are about to drop the hottest album of the year.

You may have heard our exciting announcement last week about a brand new podcast on BBC Sounds.

Conor Murray may have just hung up the boots but he's teamed up with BBC Sport NI for the Ireland Rugby Social podcast.

Every Tuesday, Murray and Gavin Andrews will be joined by a special guest to talk all things rugby and bring you some stories you may never have heard before - and Rory Best is their first guest.

Also, in the autumn internationals and Six Nations there will be a bonus episode recorded after each Ireland game for some immediate thoughts on what has just happened.

Check it out by searching the Ireland Rugby Social on BBC Sounds.

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Did the Chicago win in 2016 break the hoodoo? Here's what the stats say.

In the calm before the storm, BBC Sport NI's Gavin Andrew tells you all you need to know ahead of kick off.

It is one of the most memorable moments in Irish sporting history.

It was a proper 'where were you moment?' - and we want to hear your stories.

What are your memories from that day? Let us know using 'Get Involved' and we'll feature the best in this page.

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It is a day etched in Irish rugby history.

On 5 November 2016 - almost nine years to the day - Ireland produced a stunning display to beat New Zealand for the first time with a 40-29 win.

Tries from Jordi Murphy, CJ Stander and Conor Murray helped the Irish to a 25-8 half-time lead, then Simon Zebo scored his side's fourth try in the corner.

The world champions fought back to move to within four points but Robbie Henshaw's late try ensured the victory.

It had taken 111 years and 29 attempts, but Ireland finally got the job done.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Seeking what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' of the northern hemisphere in their storied history, the All Blacks have headed north at an interesting juncture.

After tonight's game against Ireland, Tests against Scotland, England and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the next three weekends but, quite aside from the chance to join the sides of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the fixtures will be used as a yardstick to measure the progress of the team under a head coach now two years on from taking up the reins.

Questions over a lack of an identifiable style, enduring debates over selection and departures from the coaching ticket have all contributed to the sense that the most recognisable team in the sport is presently one in a state of flux.

Read more.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Soldier Field

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Gotta love that crisp Chicago air. Another great autumn afternoon in the Midwest.

There had been rain forecast but I think we're going to be fine.

But there's definitely a chill. At the home of the Bears, there's a bite in the air (I'm not even sorry).

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Autumnal rugby is well and truly under way, and we've had some big games before this one begins.

England opened their autumn with a convincing 25-7 win over Joe Schmidt's Australia in London.

Ben Earl, Henry Pollock, Alex Mitchell and Luke Cowan-Dickie all crossed for Steve Borthwick's side.

World champions and Rugby Championship winners South Africa dominated Japan at Wembley with a crushing 61-7 win.

Scotland are crushing the USA in their opening fixture. It's only half-time and the Scots lead 45-0.

Duhan van der Merwe, Jamie Dobbie and Darcy Graham have all scored two tries in a rampant first half at Murrayfield.

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The autumn internationals get under way on Saturday as teams look to pick up vital ranking points before the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup on 3 December.

Teams will be drawn into six pools of four for the group stage of the tournament in Australia.

As things stand the top six sides in the world rankings - South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, France, England and Argentina - will be placed in band one for the draw and would therefore avoid playing each other in the pool stage.

Australia (seventh) and Scotland (eighth) will be eyeing up strong autumns to try to break into the top six, while Wales (12th) will want to avoid falling out of the second band of teams and facing an even trickier World Cup draw.

With the World Cup two years away, the autumn matches also provide head coaches with an opportunity to blood new players and develop their tactics.

There is something to play for across the board.