Otago's most recent game was in August last year and since then the union has been through the financial wringer, at times looking on the brink of going out of business.
But it has survived and thoughts now turn to what really should matter - performance on the field, and numbers on the scoreboard rather than the balance sheet.
Otago will be playing under the guise of a Sassenachs team as all Dunedin and Taieri club players in the squad are being rested for the club final on Saturday.
Players not selected in the 28-man squad named last month by Brown have come into the side to fill some holes. Five of the starting team have yet to play for Otago.
One interesting newcomer is Otago Boys' High School first XV captain and halfback Josh Renton.
Renton has been picked as the reserve halfback and is likely to get a run at some stage.
Otago coach Tony Brown said he had seen Renton play and had been impressed.
The schoolboy had been to Otago trainings, and Brown said he he could possibly play for Otago later in the season, although there were some quality halfbacks around.
Japanese international Fumiaki Tanaka will start the game for the side in the No 9 jersey and will be looking to make an impact. The other halfback in the squad, Brad Weber, will be playing for Dunedin in the club final.
Grant will captain the team from No 8 and will be joined in the loose forwards by Kaikorai pair Lee Allan and Adam Hill.
Liam Coltman, who has overcame a neck injury to get back on the field, will start at hooker, after playing much of his rugby since coming back from the sidelines in the loose forwards.
Tony Ensor gets a start at fullback, after an impressive club season, with Matt Faddes and Buxton Popoali'i on the wings.
Brown said the game was not about the scoreboard but trying to put things together on the paddock that they had been working on during training.
"It is just good to get started.
"We just want to try and get a few things into place that we have been working on and make a good starting point for the season," Brown said.
"It is more about execution and implementing the game plan we have been working on. It will be very basic, as we have only had a couple of days preparation."
He said Grant was appointed captain after an impressive season skippering the University side.
But Brown was still to make up his mind over the Otago captaincy for the season. Two more warm-up games are to be played.
Brown said Grant appeared to benefit from captaincy in a stand-out club season.
South Canterbury will travel down from Timaru this afternoon.
The squad was picked after the club final on Saturday and has had little time together.
Much of the side from last year is back but may be lacking for fitness and combination.
The game is not a first-class fixture and two referees will officiate. Michael Lash, of Southland, and Liam Scanlon, formerly of Dunedin, but now in Christchurch, will get 40 minutes each.
Sassenachs XV v South Canterbury
Forsyth Barr Stadium, today, 5.30pm
Sassenachs XV: Tony Ensor, Matt Faddes, Jayden Spence, Glenn Dickson, Buxton Popoali'i, Peter Breen, Fumiaki Tanaka, Paul Grant (captain), Adam Hill, Lee Allan, Rob Verbakel, Tom Franklin, Tama Tuirirangi, Liam Coltman, Scott Manson. Reserves: Johnny Mason, Shota Horie, Sam Gavigan, TJ Ioane, Solomon T-Pole, Josh Renton, Stephen Fenemor, Fassiu Fuatai.
South Canterbury: Johnny Whittaker, Sekope Maea, Faa'atu Tuamoheloa, Tanu Suavine, Aporasa Tabulawaki, Mark Tutton, Willy Wright, Kali Latu, Eric Smith (captain), Sam Vea, Gary Tutunoa, Luke Brice, Aaron McCall, Nathan Tubb, Afala Tailega. Reserves: Johnny Andrews, Felise Gaogao, Joeli Kotobolavu, Kurt Rooney, Tevita Latu, Nate Robinson, Tenari Saumani.
Referee: Michael Lash (Southland), Liam Scanlon (Canterbury)
