It's hasn't been the greatest tour so far for the Pacific Islands, but they're used to things not going their way. A warm-up against Harlequins was postponed due to the bottom-line nature of English club rugby and a lack of time together as a squad has been a significant factor in their two tour defeats to Wales and Scotland. Not that they still haven't managed to baffle us, as they invariably tend to do.

Anaemic first-half displays in both those games have been followed by stirring second-half efforts, with the Islanders winning the second period 15-7 in Cardiff and, even more comprehensively, 17-3 in Murrayfield.

Their coaching team of Pat Lam and Shane Howarth are at a loss to fully explain their first-half malaise thus far on tour but we've been assured their main focus this week has been on ensuring they're in touch with Ireland by halftime this afternoon. If they can manage we could be in for an interesting afternoon and learn an awful lot about the three young guys, and Paddy Wallace, O'Sullivan has decided to test this afternoon.

In the case of Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip, you don't doubt they're physically able for this level, but we'll find out over the course of the 80 minutes if they're streetwise enough. The worry isn't so much about Heaslip in this regard, but Ferris may find his elevation has come a tad too soon. Only one way to find out though, and that philosophy also applies to Wallace and Luke Fitzgerald. The 19-year-old appears to have more natural ability than any Irish player of the past decade . . .

arguably more than Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy . . . and now we just need to see if he can apply his gift like those two have. Wallace, meanwhile, is in a tricky situation because he needs to prove himself as more than a safe pair of hands, while at the same time ensuring he does nothing stupid enough to allow Jeremy Staunton back into the equation. Playing at 12 all season for Ulster is hardly going to help him and it could be a difficult afternoon.

Aside from those four, we'll be keeping an eye on the development of Bryan Young at loose-head, and the form of Malcolm O'Kelly and Frankie Sheahan in the pack, but this won't just be about Ireland.

The Islanders will be hugely determined to sign their tour off on a successful note and with the outstanding talents of Dan Leo, Moses Rauluni, Kameili Ratuvou and Seru Rabeni on display, a tight first-half performance could see them make an interesting game of it. Unlike their other games on tour.

Ireland to win by a good 15 points, but only after an interesting first hour.

AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL IRELAND v PACIFIC ISLANDS