Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

I tell you what, you wouldn't think there was a Grand Slam party here on Saturday as Ireland won the Six Nations.

The pitch at the Aviva Stadium is a carpet. Albeit a very wet one.

Image source, Inpho

It's almost time for kick-off as both teams make their way onto the pitch at a rain soaked Aviva Stadium.

It has been almost ten years since the Republic of Ireland last faced Latvia.

That game was also a friendly at the Aviva Stadium in November 2013, where the Republic ran out 3-0 winners courtesy of goals from Robbie Keane, Aiden McGeady and Shane Long.

Many fans will be hoping for a similar score-line this evening to boost morale ahead of the daunting task of facing France on Monday.

Image source, Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Mark Sykes says that Roy Keane's comments that he was brave to switch allegiance from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland in 2020 were "a nice thing, I suppose".

The Bristol City winger made his debut for the Republic off the bench against Malta in November, becoming the first man born in Belfast to represent the Republic in 76 years and he is keen to add to his solitary cap this year.

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Image source, Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, speaking to RTE: It's good preparation for next week. We have quite a few players who have not been playing consistently. They have played some games but not enough, so they need to get games in.

It's an opportunity for players to put their front foot forward and put in a strong performance.

Image source, Inpho

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

Evan Ferguson is the name on everyone's lips at the moment and there is real intrigue as to what the Brighton forward can bring to the Irish attack.

Former Brighton striker Glenn Murray said "big things" lie ahead for the 18-year-old and Danny Murphy called him a "superstar" and he can't see a weakness in his game.

That's some praise.

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Stephen Kenny confirmed in his press conference yesterday that striker Evan Ferguson will make his first start for the Republic of Ireland against Latvia this evening.

The 18-year old has been in fine form for his club, scoring seven goals in 20 games in his first season in the top-flight, including a brace at the weekend as the Seagulls beat Grimbsy Town 5-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Ferguson made his international debut in November, coming off the bench late in the defeat to Norway, while he also gained more minutes three days later in a 1-0 win over Malta.

Should he bring his goal-scoring form from club level to the international stage and net his first goal for the Republic tonight, he would become the youngest (18 years, 154 days) Ireland scorer since Robbie Keane in October 1998 vs Malta (18 years, 98 days).

Image source, Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

The Republic of Ireland are debuting their new home kit tonight.

It's very green (no surprises there) but what do you think?

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Atletico Madrid full-back Matt Doherty will captain the Republic of Ireland for the first time tonight, despite his lack of minutes at club level.

He has played just 12 minutes for Atleti since his January switch, but has been trusted to lead the side, indicating that long-standing captain Seamus Coleman and vice-captain John Egan are being rested with France in mind.

Image source, Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

The Irish fans are getting a glimpse of the future tonight as Stephen Kenny names a youthful side to take on Latvia.

A lot of the starting XI played together at underage level so getting to know each other won't be an issue, and it will be interesting to see if any combinations from youth football make the step up on the big (albeit friendly) stage tonight.

As confirmed by Stephen Kenny yesterday, Evan Ferguson makes his first start in a youthful Republic line up, which has an average age of 23.6.

In what is set to be a 5-3-2 formation, Caoimhin Kelleher is preferred to Southampton's Gavin Bazunu between the sticks.

The back five is comprised of wing-backs Callum O'Dowda and captain for the evening Matt Doherty, alongside the three centre-backs Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins and Andrew Omobamidele.

Will Smallbone makes his debut in midfield and is accompanied by Jason Molumby and Alan Browne.

Michael Obafemi partners Ferguson up front in an exciting pairing.

The away side line out in a 4-4-2 formation, with leading marksman Vladislavs Gutkovskis, who has scored 11 goals for his country in 39 caps, starting.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher, O'Dowda, O'Shea, Doherty (c), Browne, Obafemi, Collins, Molumby, Ferguson, Smallbone, Omobamidele

Subs: Bazunu, Travers, Egan, Cullen, Parrott, McClean, Hendrick, Keane, Knight, McGrath, Ogbene, Sykes, Johnston

Latvia: Steinbors, Sorkins, Cernomordijs (c), Balodis, Savalnieks, Zjuzins, Tobers, Ciganiks, J. Ikaunieks, Gutkovskis, Uldrikis

Subs: Purins, Ozols, E. Struglis, Dubra, Birka, M. Oss, Saveljevs, Tonisevs, Varslavanas, Daskevics, Jaunzems, D. Ikaunieks, Krollis

Image source, Inpho

The Republic of Ireland return to action for the first time in 2023 as Stephen Kenny's side host Latvia in an international friendly at the Aviva Stadium.

It is merely a warm-up game for Monday's main event, their opening 2024 Euro qualifying game against 2016 Euro winners France, which is also on home soil.

Yet, with a number of players lacking minutes at club level and some nursing injuries, it provides the chance for some to get vital minutes under their belt and others to stake a claim to face Les Bleus next week.

In theory, it shouldn't be too difficult a task for Kenny's side if the form book is anything to go by.

Latvia are ranked 133rd in the world, 85 places below the Republic who are 48th.

The Republic of Ireland have won all five of their previous matches against Latvia in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and conceding just once.

Stay with us for live text commentary of this evening's game.