Ireland have settled into this game well and have come close to taking an early lead.

Megan Connolly floated in a lovely free-kick from the right and Claire O'Riordan met it with a header that was blocked - and when the rebound fell to her she lifted her shot too high.

And

The match is up and running in Dublin.

Let's see how the Republic do as they build up to their first-ever World Cup.

A few Republic of Ireland fans showed how keen they were early on by arriving well before kick-off.

Image source, Inpho

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Tallaght Stadium

Tallaght Stadium is filling up nicely ahead of kick-off in a sun-soaked Dublin.

It's great to see Leanne Kiernan back involved in the international set up after a tough season with injury, while Izzy Atkinson has made a big impression after initially being left out of the panel ahead of the World Cup.

It's maybe not as experimental team as many thought, though you can expect to see plenty of changes as the game progresses.

With Vera Pauw naming her final World Cup squad next week, tonight's team was always going to be an interesting one.

One name jumping out from the teamsheet is Leanne Kiernan, who has only played half an hour of football since being injured in the autumn.

Izzy Atkinson's selection is also a bit of a surprise as she wasn't in the initial 31-player squad for this game.

Republic of Ireland: Courtney Brosnan, Louise Quinn, Niamh Fahey, Megan Connolly, Ruesha Littlejohn, Heather Payne, Leanne Kiernan, Abbie Larkin, Saoirse Noonan, Claire O'Riordan, Izzy Atkinson.

Subs: Grace Moloney, Megan Walsh, Harriet Scott, Chloe Mustaki, Diane Caldwell, Amber Barrett, Aine O'Gorman, Lucy Quinn, Jamie Finn, Nayley Nolan, Ciara Grant, Erin McLaughlin.

Zambia: Hazel Nali, Judith Soko, Mweemba Lushomo, Margaret Belemu, Grace Chanda, Barbra Banda, Evarine Susan Katongo, Agness Muessa, Reachea Kundananji, Susan Banda, Siomara Mapepa.

Subs: Esther Siamfuko, Mary Wilombe, Misozi Chisa Zulu, Hellen Mubanga, Vast Phiri, Avell Chitundu, Esther Banda, Ochumba Oseke Lunbanji, Rhonda Chileshe, Mary Mulenga, Comfort Selemani, Letisha Lungu.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Republic of Ireland defender Chloe Mustaki says there is no tension among the players before the World Cup squad announcement on 29 June.

Manager Vera Pauw will cut her 31-player training squad to a final 23 who will travel to Australia for what will be the Republic’s first-ever appearance at a World Cup finals.

"We are a really close-knit group and it is lovely that we support each other through these nerve-wracking times," Mustaki said.

Read more of Mustaki’s pre-match thoughts here.

Image source, Inpho

It’s just less than a month now until the Republic of Ireland make their first-ever World Cup finals appearance against hosts Australia in Sydney.

That is all to come on 20 July but tonight they continue their preparations for that historic occasion with a friendly match against Zambia at Dublin’s Tallaght Stadium.

Manager Vera Pauw will name her World Cup squad on 29 June and there will no doubt be members of her panel keen to impress the boss tonight in the hope of securing a place on the place to Australia.

Kick-off is at 19:30 BST and we have you covered with live text commentary, with a match report and reaction to follow.

Image source, Inpho