In less than two weeks' time, Munster, Leinster and Connacht will plunge into their Celtic League campaign, while Ulster set out one week later against Cardiff Blues.
Given that time frame, there might just be an air of anticipation and given the shifts in personnel within the squads over the summer, revelation too, when all four provinces engage foreign opposition this weekend.
Tonight's trilogy involving Munster, Ulster and Connacht promises an international flavour and although the experimental input may be quite high, the respective coaches should give an indication of their thinking for the opening matches proper.
Northampton have named a strong side to face Munster in Thomond Park, with new signings Seán Lamont, former Leinster centre David Quinlan and flamboyant former All Black Carlos Spencer included.
Indeed the 10, 11 and 12 shirts of Spencer, English wing Ben Cohen and Quinlan will attract considerable attention. Coach Budge Pountney also has Ulster's Séamus Mallon on the bench against a Munster side containing a mixture of hopefuls and established names.
Anthony Foley, Rob Henderson, Paul Burke and John O'Sullivan are named on the 24-strong squad. But Mick O'Driscoll, back from Perpignan, and Tony Buckley, along with the lesser-known Brian Madigan, Ian Dowling, Ben Martin and number eight Frank Cogan will be trying to give coach Declan Kidney headaches before selecting for September's home opening game against Border Reivers.
Ulster face a London Irish team seeking their second victory in eight days. Last Friday they defeated NEC Harlequins 28-14 with Justin Bishop on the wing, Barry Everitt at outhalf, Kieron Dawson at openside flanker and one-time Blackrock and Leinster forward Bob Casey in the secondrow.
Former Ireland number 10 Brian Smith, who now coaches the Exiles, travels to Ravenhill Road with justifiable optimism, but Ulster coach Mark McCall will also have a few big hitters on show, most notably former Australia lock Justin Harrison,brought in for his lineout expertise.
Ulster, however, will not have the injured David Humphreys to find touch for the big man. Paddy Wallace is stepping up to assume that onerous role. Andrew Trimble makes a debut start, partnering Paul Steinmetz in the centre, while former Ireland winger James Topping returns after about a year out of the game with a broken leg.
Connacht's second match in four days will provide Leicester Tigers coach Pat Howard with a meaningful test, especially as he will not field any of his Lions players. That means fullback Geordan Murphy is on the bench but Leo Cullen plays in the secondrow and openside flanker Shane Jennings will start in a side that nonetheless contains six senior international players.
England halfbacks Harry Ellis and Andy Goode are at nine and 10 respectively, with former All Black and captain Daryl Gibson at outside centre. Samoan winger Alesana Tuilagi, who ran in a number of tries in the Pacific Tri-Nations last month, starts on the wing. Argentinian and Italian prop Alex Moreno completes the international backbone of the side.
Howard has said the match provides a chance to try out combinations and give his players the confidence they need to perform during the season.
With one good win under his belt against Parma on Tuesday, Connacht coach Michael Bradley may have a lot to say to his players about that "confidence-building" aspect of Leicester's thinking. Still, despite their 20-13 win against the Italians, the home side must go in as underdogs.
Chris Keane comes in for scrumhalf Tom Tierney in the only change in personnel in the back line. David Slemen reverts to fullback with Matt Mostyn moving to the centre and Paul Warwick playing at 10.
Up front, Andrew Gallagher makes his first start for Connacht in the secondrow while Colm Rigney comes in at number eight for his first appearance since moving back to Ireland from Leeds Tykes.
Leinster's prospects are the most difficult to predict, as coach Michael Cheika looks at his team in serious action for the first time and with many changes in personnel when they play Parma at Naas RFC tomorrow.
In the absence of his international nucleus, the Australian coach is searching for a balanced combination before Leinster's Celtic League opener against Ospreys on the weekend of September 1st.
MUNSTER: Forwards: F Roche, J Flannery, T Buckley, D Fogarty, E McGovern, D Ryan, B Madigan, M O'Driscoll, J O'Sullivan, J O'Connor, S Keogh, F Cogan, A Foley. Backs: B Martin, B Murphy, P Devlin, M Mullins, R Henderson, I Dowling, M Lawlor, J Manning, P Burke, F Murphy, M Prendergast.
NORTHAMPTON: B Reihana (capt); S Lamont, J Clarke, D Quinlan, B Cohen; C Spencer, M Robinson; T Smith, D Hartley, B Sturgess, D Browne, J Percival, M Easter, D Fox, Daniel Browne. Replacements: D Richmond, C Budgen, M Lord, M Soden, B Jones, S Malloon, J Rudd, R Davies, A Vilk, A Rae.
LEICESTER: S Vesty; T Varndell, D Hipkiss, D Gibson (capt), A Tuilagi; A Goode, H Ellis; M Holford, G Chuter, A Moreno, J Hamilton, L Cullen, B Deacon, S Jennings, Will Johnson. Replacements: E Taukafa, J Rawson, W Skinner, L Abraham, S Bemand, R Broadfoot, M Cornwell, L lloyd, G Murphy.
CONNACHT: D Slemen; D Riordan, M Mostyn, M McHugh, C McPhillips; P Warwick, C Keane; R Hogan, J Fogarty, A Clarke, A Gallagher, A Farley, J Muldoon, M Lacey, C Rigney. Replacements: J Merrigan, D McFarland, R Loughney, C Short, D Gannon, M Swift, C O'Loughlin, T Tierney, K Mathews.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, T Howe; P Wallace, K Campbell; B Young, P Shields, S Best (capt), J Harrison, M McCullough, C Feather, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: T Bowe, J Bell, A Larkin, R Spee, N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, H Head, R Frost, N McMillan.
