After months of speculation, we'll find out tomorrow if Kilkenny can cope with the retirements of Henry Shefflin, JJ Delaney, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Aidan Fogarty and David Herity.

That is provided, of course, Wexford can produce a performance which asks serious questions of the Leinster and All-Ireland holders.

After a lack-lustre Division 1A campaign, the black and ambers will enter the championship fray and all eyes will be on Nowlan Park as they play host to Liam Dunne and the Model County.

"The championship is not different, but the dressing room is different," Cody commented mid-week. "That is the reality of the situation. Excellent players who have been around for years and have given great service are gone.

"They are no longer part of it. That is the natural order of things. Players come and go, but we still have gifted players and huge experience in our dressing room."

Cody has made three changes to the side which started last year's All-Ireland final replay victory with Joey Holden, Ger Aylward and Walter Walsh all getting the nod.

Holden has been asked to fill the sizable void created by Delaney's absence.

Wexford's preparations have been overshadowed somewhat by the decision to drop Jack Guiney from the squad due to a breach of discipline.

His place in the half-forward line goes to Shane Tomkins while Ciaran Kenny takes over from Harry Kehoe in defence.

The Model County scored a 1-24 to 1-16 quarter-final victory over Westmeath last time out.

"We are going up to play the All-Ireland champions, the greatest team and greatest manager in the history of the game," manager Dunne remarked.

"There has been no better team. Brian Cody will have them fully focused on this game. Like ourselves he will be looking at nothing else but Sunday's showdown.

"It's not just any old 70 minutes. This is the game we have been looking forward to since the draw was made. It's here now and I'm confident we can deal with it."

These two counties last met in championship action back in 2011 and Kilkenny prevailed by 11 points, 1-26 to 1-15. Tomorrow's encounter is expected to be closer.

Verdict - Kilkenny.

Kilkenny team: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, Joey Holden, Jackie Tyrrell; Padraig Walsh, Kieran Joyce, Cillian Buckley; Michael Fennelly, Conor Fogarty; Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan, T J Reid; Ger Aylward, Colin Fennelly, Eoin Larkin.

Wexford team: Mark Fanning; Liam Ryan, Matthew O'Hanlon, Eoin Moore; Andrew Shore, Lee Chin, Ciaran Kenny; David Redmond, Diarmuid O'Keeffe; Shane Tomkins, Daithi Waters, Ian Byrne; Paul Morris, Conor McDonald, Liam Og McGovern.

Match details: Sunday; Nowlan Park; 2pm.

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan.

Odds: Kilkenny 1/5, Draw 12/1, Wexford 9/2.

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