| Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin Date: Saturday, 23 March Kick-off: 17:00 GMT |
| Coverage: Preview, live text commentary, report and reaction on the BBC Sport website |
Republic of Ireland interim boss John O’Shea says he is proud to manage the team in the friendly against Belgium.
The former Republic skipper will be in charge for first time on Saturday and will complete his brief stint against against Switzerland three days later.
“It’s an incredible honour to be manager of your country, to get the chance to represent Ireland from U15 onwards and all the levels,” he said.
O’Shea drafted Southampton defender Ryan Manning into the squad on Friday.
The 27-year-old has recovered from injury and comes in after the withdrawals of Liam Scales and Troy Parrott earlier this week.
Blackburn Rovers striker Sammie Szmodics, who is the top scorer in the Championship this season with 21 goals, is in line to make his Republic debut along with Lyon centre-half Jake O’Brien and Middlesbrough midfielder Finn Azaz.
In-form Belgium are ranked fourth in the world and will face England on Tuesday as they continue their build-up to the Euro 2024 finals.
However, two of their big-hitters are missing with midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and forward Romelu Lukaku ruled out with groin problems.
Belgium are on an 11-match unbeaten run and have not tasted defeat in their last seven away games against the Republic.
Former Manchester United defender O’Shea won 118 international caps and was an assistant under previous manager Stephen Kenny and with the Under-21 side.
Kenny left the role in November after failing to qualify for Euro 2024 and the FAI hope to confirm his permanent replacement early next month.
“The chance to be involved coaching with the Under-21s and the senior team and now being manager, it’s amazing, one that myself and my family are really proud of,” O’Shea added.
“When you first get the players together and chatting to them the first time as well, that’s the key part and sets the tone for the week ahead. That’s where I just kept it in my head very simple in terms of the staff that I brought in.
“I will be able to touch into those connections afterwards, as well in terms of the learnings from the two games and how you progress.
“That will be a big thing, too, but ultimately I just want to focus on the staff, myself and the players and not be worried about too much outside noise.
“I’ve worked under many managers that have played at different levels, and it’s just a case of you’re trying to get a connection as soon as you can with the players to make them feel relaxed because, ultimately – as I’ve stressed before – they’re the key to everything.
“They’re the key to performing, to winning matches and you just have to try and get that connection with the group. And whatever team is selected, they’re backing each other up no matter what.”