Jansen to debut for Ireland against Japan as Farrell makes nine changes
Sean Jansen is set to make his debut for Ireland against Japan in Newcastle, Australia, having been named at number eight. This marks one of nine changes made by Ireland head coach Andy Farrell for the Nations Championship fixture. The team previously secured a 33-31 victory over the Wallabies last weekend.
Jansen, a former Green Island player, has had a notable season with Connacht, scoring 10 tries in the United Rugby Championship and ranking third in tackles made, contributing to his team’s qualification for the Champions Cup. His inclusion represents a rapid ascent for the Dunedin-raised loose forward.
Jansen attended Otago Boys’ High School and played for Green Island before spending a season on loan with North Otago in the Heartland Championship. He then moved overseas, playing 15 games and scoring five tries for Leicester before joining Connacht. He qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents, who were from Antrim and Kildare. Jansen had previously been identified for the Emerging Ireland team in 2024.
Multiple Debuts and Team Changes
In addition to Jansen, three other players are poised to make their international debuts for Ireland. Connacht team-mates Billy Bohan and Sam Illo are named as replacement props, while Ulster back row Bryn Ward is also set for his first international appearance from the bench. Farrell commented on the significance of these debuts, stating, “It’s always a special occasion when you give one person a debut, never mind four.”
Farrell has made extensive changes to the starting line-up following the win against Australia, ahead of next week’s match against the All Blacks in Auckland. Influential Munster forward Tadhg Beirne will captain Ireland for the first time. Several key players, including tour captain Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Josh van der Flier, Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, and Hugo Keenan, have been rested for this fixture.
Ciaran Frawley has been given his first Test start at fly-half, forming a new half-back pairing with Craig Casey. This marks only Frawley’s second international start, having previously played at full-back against Wales in the 2024 Six Nations. Jacob Stockdale and Jimmy O’Brien are selected on the wings, with Jamie Osborne moving to full-back after starting the Australia game on the left wing. Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw will form the centre partnership.
In the front row, Tom O’Toole and Thomas Clarkson, who scored the decisive late try against Australia, will start alongside hooker Ronan Kelleher, who earns his 50th cap. Beirne is partnered by James Ryan in the second row, while Jack Conan shifts from number eight to blind-side flanker to accommodate Jansen. Nick Timoney is selected at open-side flanker. The bench features several less experienced players, including uncapped Bohan, Illo, and Ward, as well as Ulster pair Tom Stewart and Cormac Izuchukwu. Scrum-half Nathan Doak is set for his second cap, and back-up fly-half Harry Byrne is poised to make his first Ireland appearance since 2024, with Bundee Aki completing the matchday squad.
Japan’s Preparations and Rivalry
Japan enters the match having beaten Italy 27-10 in their Nations Championship opener in Tokyo. The Brave Blossoms’ only victory in 11 meetings with Ireland was a 19-12 success at the 2019 World Cup in Shizuoka. Ireland previously defeated Japan 41-10 in Dublin in November.
Japan’s head coach Eddie Jones has retained university student fly-half Ryunosuke Ito, who debuted against Italy. Taira Main replaces Kippei Ishida in the only change to their line-up. Jones returns to coaching after serving a four-match ban imposed by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) for abusing match officials during an under-23 tour of Australia earlier this year.
Jones has engaged in pre-match commentary, stating he expects his pack to dominate the Irish scrum in the second half. Farrell, who has a long-standing relationship with Jones from their time at Saracens, responded humorously to these remarks. “In the first and second half especially, we expect to dominate in all areas of the game,” Farrell told reporters, adding, “I have loads of respect for Eddie. We go back a long way, and I know what he’s trying to do. There’s always something, and it’s great for you guys to throw the questions back over here. It’s just a bit of banter thrown back, I would have thought, from my end.”
Ireland will still be without Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune, who missed the win over Australia, and Jeremy Loughman, who is out due to a concussion suffered in Sydney. However, Farrell anticipates both players will recover in time for next week’s clash against New Zealand at Eden Park.
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Source: odt.co.nz
