Japan v Ireland: Sean Jansen to make international debut as Andy Farrell makes nine changes for Newcastle clash | Rugby Union News

Sean Jansen will earn his first cap in a much-changed Ireland squad for Saturday’s Nations Championship clash with Japan in Australia.

The Connaught number eight will make his Newcastle debut from the 33-31 win over Australia as part of a pack with just three survivors – prop Tom O’Toole, second-row James Ryan and Jack Conan, who moves to the blindside from number 8.

Rookie Connacht props Billy Bohan and Sam Elo, as well as Ulster back Rowe Bryn Ward, are also in line to make their debuts after being named on the bench.

Tadhg Beirne, who came off the bench against Australia, captains the side for the first time while hooker Ronan Kelleher will win his 50th cap.

There are a total of nine changes to the starting XV to face Australia. At the back of the pack, Jamie Osborne moved from wing to full-back with Jimmy O’Brien and Stuart McCloskey the other survivors from Sydney’s starting line-up.

Robbie Henshaw partners McCloskey at center with Jacob Stockdale filling Osborne’s role on the wing.

Ciaran Frawley and Craig Casey form a new-look half-back partnership.

Winger Robert Balukaun remains unavailable after missing the game against Australia with a tight hamstring initially named in the starting XV, while front-row Jeremy Loughman is also out with an injury against the Wallabies.

Tour captain Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Jamieson Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, Gary Ringrose and Hugo Keenan have been rested ahead of next weekend’s match against New Zealand in Auckland.

Ireland team to face Japan:

XV Start: 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.

Replacement: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Billy Bohan, 18 Sam Ilo, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Brian Ward, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Bundy Aki.

2026 Nations Championship summer fixtures – all kick-off times BST

4 July

• New Zealand 34-32 France
• Japan 27-10 Italy
• Australia 31-33 Ireland
• Fiji 24-39 Wales
• South Africa 45-21 England
• Argentina 38-47 Scotland

11 July

• New Zealand vs Italy (6.10 am)
• Australia vs France (8.40 am)
• Japan vs Ireland (11.10am)
• Fiji vs England (2.10pm)
• South Africa vs Scotland (4.40pm)
• Argentina vs Wales (8.10pm)

18 July

• New Zealand vs Ireland (8.10 am)
• Japan vs France (9.40 am)
• Australia vs Italy (11.10am)
• Fiji v Scotland (2.10pm)
• South Africa vs Wales (4.40pm)
• Argentina vs England (8.10pm)