Eddie O'Sullivan has welcomed his stint as Barbarians coach as an early chance to banish memories of Ireland's calamitous World Cup.
O'Sullivan is preparing the Barbarians for Saturday's clash with South Africa at Twickenham - his first coaching assignment since the tournament in France.
Ireland, who entered the World Cup with semi-final aspirations, flopped abysmally by crashing out at the group stage - nine points adrift of Pool D leaders Argentina.
The Irish Rugby Football Union's inquest into the debacle is nearing its conclusion and O'Sullivan admits it has been a painful process.
But the 49-year-old insists the Barbarians job has begun the healing process.
"For Ireland the World Cup was hugely disappointing. We failed to produce anything that vaguely resembled our form during the season,'' he said.
"Since then it has been a tough time trawling through everything that happened.
"That process has nearly come to an end and the Barbarians offers me an opportunity to get back on the horse.
"It feels good to be back on the horse. You always ask hard questions and the hardest questions you ask are of yourself.''
O'Sullivan is enjoying the different challenges presented by coaching the Barbarians.
"Coaching the Barbarians is a unique honour and it gives me the opportunity to work with some hugely talented people,'' he said.
"It's very different to coaching Six Nations or international level.
"You just have to act as a conduit between these players - a kind of facilitator. In many way with the Barbarians less is more.''
England hooker Mark Regan maintains his collision course with Bristol by pledging his commitment to the Barbarians' on Saturday.
The stand-off continued escalated this week when the Barbarians confirmed Regan would lead the side out at Twickenham after handing him the captaincy and hooking duties.
Bristol are opposed to their combative England front row participating in the match, even though their EDF Energy Cup clash with Leeds on Sunday is a dead rubber.
Premier Rugby had forbidden any player from their 12 members clubs from taking place in the fixture against the Springboks to protect the integrity of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.
The sensitivity of the issue prompted organisers to prevent Regan from taking his place alongside coach Eddie O'Sullivan at today's press conference to announce the team.
But the 35-year-old read out a statement confirming his determination to play for the Barbarians - a move that Bristol are likely to meet with disciplinary action.
Regan said: "I was asked to captain the Barbarians and it's a massive honour to do that. It's going to be a great day for me and my family to lead out a star-studded side at Twickenham.
"It will be a great birthday present for my daughter. Both my daughters are mascots.''
The withdrawal of Regan's England team-mate Andrew Sheridan from the squad was also confirmed earlier this week.
Sale demanded Sheridan play in Friday's cup clash with Leicester and the Barbarians allowed the destructive loosehead to make the final decision, even though they claim contractually he is obliged to play for them.
Mike Burton, a leading agent and Barbarians committee member involved in assembling the squad, declared the cases were judged on their merits.
And former England prop Burton revealed changes will be made to the selection process in light of the row over player availability.
He said: "We don't want conflict with anyone. For the sake of good relations in the future we want the clubs to nominate players.
"We did not climb down over Andrew. Andrew did not want to be in conflict with his club.
"I told him Sale were in breach of contract and asked him if he wanted to take it any further. But he said `no'.
"We can't deny Mark in the autumn of his career. It's his little girl's birthday and we are going to soldier it through.
"We don't want to be in conflict with anybody but we'll speak to Bristol next week and fight Mark's corner."
The disputes have overshadowed what should have been a day of exciting news - namely the availability of Jason Robinson and the strength of the Barbarians team.
Robinson has been suffering from the dislocated shoulder sustained during last month's World Cup final but is expected to be fit for his last competitive match.
The England cross-code star will receive a rousing farewell from adoring fans at Twickenham and O'Sullivan was pleased to deliver a positive medical bulletin.
He said: "Jason has made a remarkable recovery. He has worked incredibly hard to be fit for this game.
"He's wanted to play for the Barbarians for a long period of time and he was determined to make himself available.
"He had a run out last night and today and he's confident that he'll be okay for the game.''
The hugely impressive Barbarians starting line-up features five All Blacks, including prolific winger Joe Rokocoko, and Wallaby Matt Giteau at fly-half.
Clubless former Northampton winger Ben Cohen, stuck in limbo following the collapse of his move to Leicester, is named on the bench.
Springbok coach Jake White has named named a side which shows three changes from the one that beat Wales last weekend.
Bismarck du Plessis comes in at hooker for World Cup-winning captain John Smit, who has been denied permission to play in the fixture by his club Clermont Auvergne.
Veteran lock Johan Ackermann replaces the injured Bakkies Botha, who withdrew from the squad after damaging his ankle in Saturday's 34-12 victory over Wales.
The final change comes on the wing, where Akona Ndungane replaces JP Pietersen in the number 14 jersey.
With Smit absent, Sharks second row Johann Muller will captain the team for the second time.
In total, there are six survivors from the starting line-up that defeated England 15-6 in last month's World Cup final.
The fixture against the Barbarians brings down the curtain on South Africa's season - and marks the end of Jake White's reign as coach.
No caps will be awarded to the Springboks in this non-Test fixture.
Ahead of the clash, skipper Muller commented, "We're professionals these days and rarely get an opportunity to play a match just for the fun of it," Muller said.
"Against the Barbarians, we have that opportunity. Sure, we all enjoy and love Test rugby, but on occasions like these when there is no pressure that goes with Test match rugby and the expectations from oneself and the public are absent, the Barbarians offer us a chance to have some fun.
"We intend to go out there and give the fans something to cheer about," he concluded.
Barbarians: Jason Robinson (England), Joe Rokocoko (Blues & New Zealand), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes & New Zealand), Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes & New Zealand), Isoa Neivua (Warriors & Fiji), Matt Giteau (Western Force & Australia), Justin Marshall (Ospreys & New Zealand), Federico Pucciarello (Munster & Italy), Mark Regan (captain, Bristol & England), Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies), Brent Cockbain (Wales), Justin Harrison (Ulster & Australia), Rocky Elsom (Waratahs & Australia), Martyn Williams (Cardiff & Wales), Jerry Collins (Hurricanes & New Zealand)
Replacements: Schalk Brits (Stormers), JD Moller (Stormers), Troy Flavell (Blues & New Zealand), Michael Owen (Dragons & Wales), Tom Shanklin (Cardiff & Wales), Peter Grant (Stormers), Ben Cohen (England)
South Africa: Ruan Pienaar; Akona Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Francois Steyn, Bryan Habana; Andre Pretorius, Enrico Januarie; CJ Van der Linde, Bismarck Du Plessis, Jannie Du Plessis, Johann Muller (captain), Johan Ackermann, Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Ryan Kankowski
Replacements: Tiaan Liebenberg, Heinke Van Der Merwe, Albert Van Den Berg, Barend Pieterse, Wynand Olivier, Wayne Julies, Conrad Jantjes