The best golfers and the most talkative were the little men, first five-eighths Ronan O'Gara and Jonathan Sexton, whose long drives sailed down the centre of the fairway from the first tee.
The longest drive of the day came from Limerick hooker Sean Cronin whose ball soared above the trees, caught the wind and sailed from the first tee to the ninth fairway.
Flanker Stephen Ferris proved adept at driving his golf cart, and put the same energy into a drive that flew down the fairway.
One of the most skilled golfers was manager Paul McNaughton, who displayed sublime touches.
He had a slow and deliberate swing and hit the ball straight down the fairway.
His temperament was tested by the players, who put him under pressure with a slow hand clap and heckled him as he prepared to take his drive.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll, who has a handicap of 12, had a deliberate approach to his golf with three practice swings. He changed the white tee to a blue one for his first drive that caught the wind and sailed into the trees.
Team management wanted to save the Irish players' legs and refused to let them walk around the course. They drove golf carts.
The prize for the worst shot of the day went to Shane Jennings, who hit the turf with his club and saw his first drive roll 30m into a tree.
It was a close call between him and winger Keith Earls, whose drive rolled 2m further down the fairway.