This evening sees the men from Down Under return to Croke Park as Ireland host Australia in the 19th International Rules series.

Ireland manager Joe Kernan has named a strong squad for this one-off test, which has officially been dubbed the '2015 EirGrid International Rules Test', and the general opinion is that the home side will need to be at their best if they are to overcome a highly-rated Australian outfit.

It has been well-documented that the visitors are keen to make up for their last showing at GAA HQ, which saw them suffer a 101-point defeat over two tests. They gained some revenge last year with a 56-46 win in a one-off test in Perth but Alastair Clarkson's selection of many of the AFL finest indicates that the visitors are out to lift the Cormac McAnallen Cup at Croker.

Assistant to Clarkson in the Aussies' camp is former Kerry All-Ireland winner Tadhg Kennelly - still the only former GAA player with an AFL Premiership winners' medal in his pocket - and the ex-Sydney Swans defender recently pledged that this All-Australian side won't be shown up like they were in Dublin two years previous.

"Last time an Australian team set foot in Croke Park they were embarrassed. I think the AFL people were embarrassed by the whole lot and I can guarantee you that won't happen this Saturday," said the Listowel native.

Of the 22 included in Clarkson's squad, 18 have previously played international rules. The most prominent of those is arguably Luke Hodge, who captains Australia as part of a testament to his outstanding performance in last year's test in Perth that saw him win the Jim Stynes medal - for player of the tournament.

Altogether, there are five contingent from Premiership winners Hawthorn, with Grant Birchall, Luke Breust, Sam Mitchell and Jarryd Roughead all joining Hodge.

As for the hosts, they possess nine current All Stars in their panel and five players from the Dublin side which defeated Kerry in September's All-Ireland final at the same venue.

First-time manager Kernan, who led his native Armagh to their inaugural Sam Maguire triumph in 2002, has had to make do without experienced stars like Michael Murphy and Sean Cavanagh (both former captains) in his squad's preparations. Therefore it's no surprise to see him include sharpshooters like Bernard Brogan, who captains the side, Aidan O'Shea, Diarmuid Connolly, Paddy McBearty and Conor McManus - top scorer from last year's 10-point defeat to the Aussies - while there is no current AFL player in the Irish set-up for the first time since 2005.

In truth, that margin of defeat 12 months ago flattered Ireland somewhat, having trailed by 35-7 at half-time at Patersons Stadium, and goes a long way in explaining why Australia have been priced at 4/11 for this evening's test.

With superstars on both sides, all the ingredients seem to be there for a thriller, which would work wonders in the game's on-going resurrection. Expect elitism to prevail in the end though.

Verdict - Australia

Ireland squad: Niall Morgan (Tyrone), Colm Begley (Laois), Gary Brennan (Clare), Bernard Brogan (Dublin, capt), Eoin Cadogan (Cork), Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone), Eoin Doyle (Kildare), Peter Harte (Tyrone), Darren Hughes (Monaghan), Lee Keegan (Mayo), Paul Kerrigan (Cork), Jack McCaffrey (Dublin), Ciarán McDonald (Tipperary), Philip McMahon (Dublin), Conor McManus (Monaghan), Rory O'Carroll (Dublin), John O'Loughlin (Laois), Aidan O'Shea (Mayo), Michael Quinn (Longford), Donnchadh Walsh (Kerry), Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin), Paul Cribbin (Kildare), Paddy McBrearty (Donegal). 

Coach: Joe Kernan (Armagh)

Australia squad: Luke Hodge (Hawthorn, capt), Eddie Betts (Adelaide), Grant Birchall (Hawthorn), Luke Breust (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), Andrew Gaff (West Coast), Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Dyson Heppell (Essendon), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), David Mundy (Fremantle), Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans), Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs), Harry Taylor (Geelong), Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle), Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs).

Coach: Alastair Clarkson (Hawthorn)

Match details: Saturday; Croke Park; 7pm

Referees: Joe McQuillan (Ireland) and Mat Nicholls (Australia)

Odds: Australia 4/11; Ireland 15/8

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