Sheehan and Ireland seek forward momentum nine years on from Chicago 'life moment' 

It’s an irony that as many fret over Ireland’s aging profile there are also questions about the loss of experience too, this the first Test against a Tier 1 nation since Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy departed.

Ireland's Dan Sheehan. Pic: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

With the last morning sun of October pouring down, the first sight of Irish green emerged from the tunnel. It was Jonathan Sexton who, for a brief few minutes, had Soldier Field all to himself.

No longer a soldier himself, now a drill sergeant of sorts, Sexton fired a couple of balls towards the posts, testing the conditions to divine insights for Ireland’s kickers. But perhaps for old time’s sake too.