Ireland coach Les Kiss has called on his young team to rise to the occasion when they face US Eagles in Houston on Saturday.
The nation are without 10 first-team players for the tour due to their involvement with the British and Irish Lions, but Kiss is confident that his young side will impress.
"Every Test is a must-win game. There is a real opportunity on two fronts, to bring players away so that they are well informed about what is required at this level and to prepare for Test matches come November," he told Sky Sports News.
"For ongoing transition into a new structure there is an opportunity to know what the players can do. These two Tests are ideal for that. It is a long time since we last played these boys in 2011, it was 60 minutes before we got away from it was tough, right until the back end.
"It is a different team, the US have variation on their game plan, their attack is better and they are improving. We want to win two Tests. That's what it is about and if we come out the other end well informed about what faces us going into November it will be a good thing."
Joe Schmidt will take charge of Ireland after the tour.
