The return of Joe Schmidt to the Aviva Stadium will add a huge level of intrigue to Saturday's mega clash between Ireland and Australia.
During his six years in charge in Ireland, Schmidt delivered three Six Nations titles, including a brilliant Grand Slam in 2018, as well as a maiden win over the All Blacks in 2016.
Despite the disappointing end to his spell in charge of Ireland, Schmidt can no doubt expect a warm reception from the home fans in Dublin on Saturday afternoon.
Australia have displayed some impressive form on their tour of the Northern Hemisphere this November, taking a sensational win against England in Twickenham and dispatching of Wales in Cardiff.
Schmidt's role as Wallabies boss is his first job as a head coach since stepping aside from the Ireland job after the 2019 World Cup. He has overseen a period of steady improvement, despite some bumps during the Rugby Championship, akin to the impact he had at the outset of his Ireland spell.
When Schmidt took over as Ireland boss, the squad was in a period of transition, with some difficult calls ahead of the New Zealander. During Schmidt's appearance on The Offload podcast this week, Donncha O'Callaghan reminded him of one particularly brutal early call he made in dropping the Munster lock from his squad.
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Donncha O'Callaghan shares brutal story in company of Joe Schmidt
24 February 2013; Ireland players, from left, Conor Muray, Donncha O'Callaghan, Luke Marshall and Brian O'Driscoll stand for the National Anthem before the game. RBS Six Nations Rugby Championship, Scotland v Ireland, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
Ex-Ireland stars Donncha O'Callaghan and Tommy Bowe welcomed Joe Schmidt onto their podcast The Offload this week, looking ahead to this weekend's big game in Dublin.
Schmidt coached both men towards the end of their rugby careers, and O'Callaghan revealed the unfortunate timing of an early call Schmidt made to drop him from the Ireland squad.
Munster legend O'Callaghan revealed that he learned of his absence from Schmidt's very first Ireland squad just hours after the birth of his third daughter - something Schmidt seemed completely oblivious to.
He got rid of the deadwood quite quick, fair play Joe!
Can I say, I'll never forget it Joe. You announced your first squad, I was in three of your camps, I really enjoyed it.
But your first squad came about - I'll never forget the date, the 22nd October, because my little girl Robyn was born that day. At 3am she was born, I'll never forget...I was coming out of the hospital - phone call from Joe Schmidt.
In my head, I've heard from all the lads, 'Joe's attention to detail...' I was thinking, 'He's got a midwife on speed dial, he's ringing me to say congratulations!'
It was, 'I'm naming a squad today at 12 o'clock, and you're not in it.'
On his podcast appearance, Schmidt looked embarrassed as O'Callaghan recounted the story - letting out a forlorn, 'Oh no!' However, the Corkman made sure not to rub it in.
Despite remembering his disappointment at being dropped, O'Callaghan praised Schmidt for the words of encouragement he had delivered at the time.
No resentment in anyway.
You were straight down the line to me, you were like, 'You're not playing enough at Munster, there's areas of your game you need to grow on, I need to see you more.'
I remember coming away from the call obviously a little bit gutted but being in absolutely no doubt.
Ultimately, O'Callaghan would be added to the squad less than a week later as a late call-up.
Joe Schmidt's directness and attention to detail defined the successful spell he had in charge of Ireland. Despite wishing him well, most of the fans in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday will hope it does not lead to an Aussie upset in Dublin.
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