Into the unknown as Easterby looks to park clunky November

Sam Prendergast kicking at Ireland's Captain's Run at Aviva Stadium on Friday. Pic: Dan Sheridan, Inpho

It is not just Sam Prendergast taking a step into the unknown as Ireland’s playmaker in chief on his Guinness Six Nations debut, the opening game is the first test of the mettle of the man who picked him.

Simon Easterby takes the reins of an international team for the first time at Aviva Stadium today as the defending champions welcome an England team who had their number 11 months ago, when Andy Farrell was in charge and the prospect of making history with back-to-back Grand Slams was still very much in the offing.