Japan vs Ireland: Sean Jansen to make international debut as Andy Farrell makes nine changes for Newcastle contest
Ireland boss Andy Farrell makes nine changes to his starting XV to face Japan; Sean Jansen to make debut from start at No 8; fellow forwards Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Bryn Ward also set for international debuts from bench; Tadhg Beirne captains Ireland from the start for the first time
Thursday 9 July 2026 07:13, UK
Sean Jansen will win his first cap in a much-changed Ireland side for Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Japan in Australia.
The Connacht number eight will make his debut in Newcastle as part of a pack showing just three survivors - prop Tom O'Toole, second row James Ryan and Jack Conan, who switches from No 8 to the blindside - from the 33-31 victory over Australia.
Rookie Connacht props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, as well as Ulster back row Bryn Ward are also in line to make their debuts after being named on the bench.
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Tadhg Beirne, who came off the bench against Australia, captains the side for the first time from the start while hooker Ronan Kelleher will win his 50th cap.
There are nine changes in total to the starting XV that faced Australia. Behind the pack, Jamie Osborne moves from wing to full-back with wing Jimmy O'Brien and Stuart McCloskey the only other survivors from the starting line-up in Sydney.
Robbie Henshaw comes in to partner McCloskey in the centres with Jacob Stockdale filling Osborne's role on the wing.
Ciaran Frawley and Craig Casey form a new-look half-back partnership.
Winger Robert Baloucoune remains unavailable having been prevented from playing against Australia by a tight hamstring after initially being named in the starting XV, while front row Jeremy Loughman is also out after suffering a concussion against the Wallabies.
The likes of tour captain Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan are rested ahead of next weekend's clash with New Zealand in Auckland.
Ireland team to face Japan:
Starting XV: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Jimmy O'Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Ciaran Frawley, 9 Craig Casey; 1 Tom O'Toole, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 4 Tadhg Beirne (c), 5 James Ryan, 6 Jack Conan, 7 Nick Timoney, 8 Sean Jansen.
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Billy Bohan, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki.
