All you need to know as Ireland face the All Blacks

Ireland face New Zealand in their opening autumn international in Dublin on Friday (20:10 GMT)

It has become one of the most highly anticipated fixtures in world rugby.

So, what will the latest chapter of Ireland against New Zealand have in store?

The sides face off in Dublin under the Friday night lights on 8 November and you can follow it live across BBC Sport.

Here is all you need to know.

The developing rivalry

New Zealand have knocked Ireland out of the last two World Cups at the quarter-final stage

For 28 matches over 111 years, it was as one-sided a rivalry as you could get, with the All Blacks winning 27 and there was one draw.

However, one famous afternoon in Chicago in November 2016 got Ireland on the board, and things have developed from there.

Another landmark victory came two years later when Ireland got their first win over New Zealand on Irish soil, with a 16-9 win in Dublin.

But the All Blacks have their fearsome reputation for a reason and they rampaged through Ireland in the World Cup quarter-finals in Japan in 2019.

Ireland hit back in Dublin in 2021, and an even bigger moment came the following summer when they not only defeated New Zealand on their own turf for the first time, but came back from a game down to win the series 2-1.

But, once more, New Zealand had the last laugh at the World Cup in France.

Ireland were in top form and had defeated South Africa in the group stages, but the All Blacks once again shattered Irish dreams with another win in the last eight.

Friday's game is the first meeting since then, and also former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton's comments about Reiko Ioane, so there should be plenty of needle.

The form book

New Zealand were stunned by Argentina in their Rugby Championship opener

Ireland have responded well from their World Cup exit and made it back-to-back Six Nations titles earlier this year.

Their only slip-up came against England, when Marcus Smith kicked a last-gasp drop goal.

Their summer tour took them to South Africa - another rivalry that has exploded in the past few years - and although the Springboks won the first game, Ciaran Frawley kicked a stunning late drop goal to level the series.

The Kiwis head into this one off the back of a dramatic 24-22 win over England on Saturday having already beaten Japan in their autumn opener.

Earlier in the summer they twice defeated Steve Borthwick's side, but their Rugby Championship campaign got off to a losing start as they were stunned by Argentina.

They hit back against the Pumas before losing both matches with eventual winners South Africa, but ended their campaign with two wins over Australia.

Who's in? Who's out?

Hugo Keenan is back after he represented Ireland's sevens team at the Paris Olympics

Ireland are in relatively good shape ahead of their opening match of the autumn internationals.

After his Olympics exploits in the summer, Hugo Keenan returns to the Ireland squad after missing the South Africa series while scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park and wing Mack Hansen are back from injury.

Ciaran Frawley is fit enough after picking up a knock for Leinster, and Caelan Doris will captain Ireland with Peter O'Mahony struggling with injury.

The only really problem area for Lions-bound head coach Andy Farrell is hooker, where regular starter Dan Sheehan is injured and Ronan Kelleher and Rob Herring have themselves had limited minutes after returning from spells on the sidelines.

As you would come to expect from an All Blacks team, they have brought a host of familiar names to the northern hemisphere, although fly-half Beauden Barrett and hooker Codie Taylor both sustained injuries against England.

No matter who is named by head coach Scott Robertson on Wednesday afternoon, it is going to be a huge contest in Dublin.

How to follow

You can listen to the game live on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.

We will also have a live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app, where you can also find reaction from the game after the final whistle.