Ireland coach Farrell excited by prospect of long-awaited heavyweight Irish/Bok clash

In Dublin

Ireland coach Andy Farrell is salivating at the prospect of facing the Boks on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, saying that it's going to be a massive occasion.

Saturday's 27th encounter between the teams will be Farrell's first against the Boks as Ireland coach, with the game forming part of what is a massive rugby weekend in the Irish capital.

On Friday, Ireland A will be up against a New Zealand XV at the Royal Dublin Society Arena while the capital's story Lansdowne Road ground will play host to the Boks on Saturday.

READ | Future Bok coach could well be on European tour, says Rassie: 'They all have the potential'

Farrell, who played against the Boks at inside centre in the 2007 World Cup pool game that England lost 36-0, said there will be an edge to the Test.

The sides will be meeting for the first time in five years.

"It doesn't get any bigger and this is called living properly. There's no better time to be an Irish rugby player," Farrell said.

"It doesn't get any better and when the Springboks are in town, everyone gets super excited and we know what's coming.

LIVE | On tour with the Springboks

"That's why everyone is excited, even though the big games will vary with each match week for whoever takes the field because they're under the spotlight and they will be judged.

"There's no doubt that there will be an extra edge to Saturday's game."

Ireland

15 Hugo Keenan; 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Mack Hansen; 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Conor Murray; 8 Caelan Doris; 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O'Mahony; 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne; 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Dan Sheehan, 1 Andrew Porter

Substitutes: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Cian Healy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Jack Conan, 21