Two sets of players glad that Ireland’s warm-weather training camp in Portugal next week will provide a change of scenery will be the 13-strong contingent from Ulster and Munster.
While Conor Murray and Peter O’Mahony did not feature in Munster’s loss to the Sharks, Calvin Nash, Tadhg Beirne, Craig Casey and Jack Crowley were starters in the heat and altitude of Durban.
Nash and Beirne were both scorers on the day, the latter’s try bringing up a bonus-point in defeat, while there was little to be taken from Casey and Crowley’s performance as a half-back pairing behind a beaten and bruised pack.
Crowley’s performance off the tee involved some poor contact, although he has historically been a strong kicker since assuming the number 10 jersey from Johnny Sexton.
Jacob Stockdale, Ulster’s form player this season, was rested for his province’s stunning concession of a 19-0 lead against Cardiff, while Rob Herring has still not featured this season due to a calf problem despite being named in Farrell’s squad.
Provincial skipper Iain Henderson was making his return from concussion but was taken off after just 24 minutes, although Ulster later said his replacement was not due to injury.
The others on show – Tom O’Toole, Nick Timoney, Stuart McCloskey and Cormac Izuchukwu – are all most likely to feature against Fiji, the third of Ireland’s four fixtures.
First up, it is the All Blacks in two Friday’s time when even those coming into camp off strong provincial form will know a huge step up awaits.