It hasn't been an easy ride for the Pacific Islanders who have combined talented players from Tonga, Samoa and Fiji to try take on Europe.

They failed to notch up a win against Wales or Scotland, losing 38-20 and 34-22 respectively.

However, on both occasions when it looked like the tourists would be walked over and left for dead - they always came storming back in the second half to deny any major thumping.

Even though the scoreline from the two internationals played suggest a comprehensive beating, Islanders coach Pat Lam can't take too much slack for the losses.

Against Wales, the result could have been a lot different if it weren't for two soft intercept tries that gave the home side a gift of fourteen points, and eventually the game.

As it turns out, the Islanders scored three impressive tries against a rampant Welsh outfit that had cheekily decided to make a whopping 14 changes from their previous line-up against Australia the week before.

Had those intercepts not been taken, the match could possibly (and I scream possibly!) have ended up with three tries apiece resulting in a whole new ball game.

Against Scotland, once again the game was already won in the first half by an overwhelming display of attacking rugby from the hosts.

Yet the natural dexterity and vision of the tourists almost saw them snatch a famous victory in the second half after being down 31-5 at the break.

Had the Islanders fly-half Tusi Pisi not missed all but one of his conversion attempts, then again the visitors could have had a closer result.

The reason behind all the what if's, is purely a reminder that the strong and incredibly talented Pacific Islands team should not, without any doubt, be taken lightly.

Unfortunatelly for the touring Islanders, Ireland are riding a huge confidence wave at the moment after dispatching South Africa and Australia off consecutive weekends - a feat that has never been done before in the country's rugby history.

They are also currently sitting pretty at number three in the International Rugby Board (IRB) world rankings, equaling their highest position ever since 2003.

Victories and rankings aside, Ireland are a side full of form, confidence and skill right now that can easily brush past any given team put in front of them.

It comes as no surprise then why Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has opted to use this match as an 'experiment' to test his squad depth.

With the Six Nations just around the corner and the Rugby World Cup breathing down our necks, what better opportunity to give the Irish replacement gang a run than now?

O'Sullivan has made a whopping nine changes in total from the team that faced the Wallabies last week.

Most notable among the changes is the three new caps, Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip in the back row, and 19 year old Luke Fitzgerald on the wing.

Fitzgerald will become the youngest player to play for Ireland since Alistair McKibbin against Wales in 1977.

Whether this gamble will come back and haunt O'Sullivan remains to be seen as the Islanders may feel the drastic changes to the home team could be a blessing in disguise for the visitors.

This is something O'Sullivan would prefer to look at in a positive way as far as the experience is concerned as opposed to the inexperience.

"Look at the team - Girvan Dempsey has 68 caps, Brian O'Driscoll has 69, Shane Horgan has 50, Denis Hickie has 52, Peter Stringer has 71 and so on," O'Sullivan said.

"There is a thread of hugely experienced players in the side. It would be foolhardy to select inexperienced guys without having veterans in there to help them along."

While O'Sullivan understands the need to retain an experienced spine for the Islands, the chance to experiment with some fringe players proved too strong to resist.

"If you're going to change a team you need to stick to form and this is a form selection. It's a good opportunity to push the squad out further," the Ireland coach added.

"In this situation we could have stepped back and played it safe by saying let's make sure we win this game, which is what I want to do.

"But we'd be missing an opportunity to move the team around after beating South Africa and Australia"

Whilst some may argue that O'Sullivan is lacking a certain act of respect towards the Pacific Islanders team by fielding an 'experimental' side, the Ireland coach opts to "pour cold water" on the whole idea.

If Pat Lam and his Islanders hold out an early Ireland onslaught, which they failed against the Welsh and the Scottish, then maybe - just maybe - the visitors will have a small chance of pouring that cold water over O'Sullivan and his men's head instead.

Ones to watch:

For Ireland: A host of new faces in the Ireland line-up with a lot to prove to their coach. From the three new debutants of Ferris, Heaslip and Fitzgerald to the regular replacements such as Paddy Wallace, Simon Easterby and Malcom O’Kelly given a much awaited start - all be raring to go on Sunday.

For the Pacific Islanders: Kameli Ratuvou has been moved from the centre position to the wing after try-scoring sensation Rupeni Caucaunibuca left the squad for 'personal reasons'. Though Caucaunibuca's departure is a huge loss for the visitors, Ratuvou is more than capable of filling the speed merchant's boots after scoring a brace of tries against Scotland last week.

Head-to-head: Brian O’Driscoll and Shane Horgan (Ireland) v Seru Rabeni and Elvis Seveali'i (Pacific Islanders): It will one of the toughest midfield battles Rabeni and Seveali'i could face in their international careers. The big drawing point will be how long the Fijian and Samoan duo will be able to hold out. O'Driscoll, arguably the best centre in world rugby, has been a touch quiet on the scoring sheets for his country in recent Tests. Teaming up with winger come inside centre Horgan could change all that and set up a mouth watering dual to say the least.

Prediction: The Pacific Islanders would have learnt some valuable lessons from their two previous defeats on the road. They can only get better from here, but it may take another loss to do so in the process...and perhaps a big one at that! Ireland to win by 20 plus points.

Ireland: 15 Girvan Dempsey, 14 Luke Fitzgerald, 13 Brian O’Driscoll (c), 12 Shane Horgan, 11 Denis Hickie, 10 Paddy Wallace, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Stephen Ferris, 6 Simon Easterby, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Malcolm O’Kelly, 3 John Hayes, 2 Frankie Sheahan, 1 Bryan Young
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Simon Best, 18 Donncha O’Callaghan, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Isaac Boss, 21 Ronan O’Gara, 22 Gordon D’Arcy

Pacific Islanders: 15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Lome Fa'atau, 13 Seru Rabeni, 12 Elvis Seveali'i, 11 Kameli Ratuvou, 10 Tusi Pisi, 11 Moses Rauluni, 8 Hale T-Pole, 7 Nili Latu, 6 Ma'ama Molitika, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Simon Raiwalui (captain), 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Justin Va'a.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Taufa'ao Felise, 18 Epi Taione, 19 Aca Ratuva, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Seilala Mapasua , 22 Alexi Tuilagi.

Date: Sunday, 26 November
Kick-off: 14:45 GMT
Venue: Lansdowne Road
Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)
Touch judges: Joël Jutge (France), Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan)
Television match official: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assessor: Steve Hilditch (Ireland)

By Dave Morris