History will be made on Saturday, as rugby returns to Croke Park for the first time since 2010.
With preparations underway at the Aviva Stadium for the Europa League final in three weeks, Leinster's traditional venue for Champions Cup semi-finals is unavailable for their last-four clash with Northampton.
The historic decision was made to bring the game across the Liffey to Croker, with more games promised at GAA HQ next season by the four-times European champions.
It will be only the second club game to take place at Croke Park, after Leinster's Heineken Cup semi-final thrashing of Munster in April 2009.
This means that it will be the first time an English club has played at the stadium, and only the third time ever that an English rugby side will take to the hallowed turf.
Though tensions will not be as high as they were ahead of the famous 2007 Six Nations clash with England at the stadium, the identity of the opposition does undoubtedly add a level of spice to the semi-final.
Ahead of the mouthwatering tie, Northampton director of rugby Phil Dowson revealed that history lessons had been given to the club's players on the important place Croke Park holds at the heart of the Irish nationalism movement of the early 20th century - and the atrocities committed at the stadium on Bloody Sunday.
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Northampton Saints receive Croke Park history lessons ahead of Leinster clash
2 May 2009; A general view of Croke Park before the game. Heineken Cup Semi-Final, Munster v Leinster, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
Dowson enlisted the help of the club's strength and conditioning coach, Irishman Eamonn Hyland, to educate the Northampton squad on Croke Park's significance to the independence movement of the early 1900s.
The 1920 Bloody Sunday massacre at Croke Park, in which 14 civilians were killed by the Black and Tans regiment of the RIC, remains one of the most horrifying incidents in that fight for independence.
Speaking to the English media, Northampton coach Dowson stressed the importance of his squad learning of this dark history, and expressed his disbelief that Irish history is not taught in UK schools (an incredulity shared by those on this side of the Irish Sea).
It’s absolutely fundamental that we have an appreciation of the history and significance of Croke Park, both culturally and historically, in the Irish battle for independence, in their psyche, and with the whole GAA. Regardless of whether we are playing rugby there, we should understand that.
It’s not taught in English schools, which I find extraordinary. Appreciating and understanding that from the Irish point of view as a venue is important for young English people, not just rugby players.
But we should also understand the influence it will have on the playing group and the crowd and the implications for that around the atmosphere. At the same time we are not playing against ghosts. We need appreciation and respect for the history, but then we have to get our game on the field.
With all 82,300 tickets sold for Saturday's game, the players will be met with a cacophonous atmosphere on Jones' Road, and Saints fly-half Fin Smith said he was grateful to have learnt about the historical significance of the venue before stepping onto the pitch for the first time.
The 21-year-old praised Irishman Eamonn Hyland for his delivery of the lesson to the squad, and said it was a surprisingly moving experience.
I was pretty moved by it, sitting there with goosebumps - which I was not expecting on a Monday morning. It was a great tone-setter for the week coming up. Eamonn’s a proud Irishman and he did a really good job. He’s not the type of guy who usually talks in meetings but he’s earned himself another slot if he wants it.
It was very impressive. It was a real eye-opener to all of the [history] and to how hostile it’s going to be.
Saturday evening's tie is set to be a memorable affair for all involved. Leinster v Northampton kicks off at 5:30pm from Croke Park, with coverage on RTÉ 2 beginning at 4:45pm.
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