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Ireland v Japan

Date: Saturday 8th November 2025

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Kick-off: 12:40pm

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)

TV Coverage: Live on TNT Sports

Ireland will face Japan at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday 8th November. This will be the second of four autumn internationals to be played by Ireland in 2025.

In their most recent meeting, Ireland brushed aside the Brave Blossoms, winning 60-5 during the 2021 autumn series.

Overall, Ireland and Japan have played each other on ten previous occasions, with Ireland winning nine matches and Japan winning just one match.

Ireland v Japan - Autumn International Tickets

Tickets for the Ireland v Japan autumn international match went on general sale on Thursday 10th July, priced from €25 (Cat 4 Restricted) to €105 (Premium) plus fees. Check the Ticketmaster.ie and IRFU websites for further information.

Ticketmaster Official Ticket Agency Buy Tickets
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Ireland v Japan - Team News

Tom Farrell at Munster v Saracens match January 2025

Tom Farrell handed Ireland debut at 32 against Japan

6th November 2025

Munster centre Tom Farrell will become the oldest back to make an Ireland debut in the professional era after being selected to start Saturday’s clash with Japan in Dublin.

Ireland v Japan - Recent History

Johnny Sexton in action for Ireland v Japan in 2021 autumn internationals

Johnny Sexton celebrates 100th Ireland cap with try in victory over Japan

6th November 2021

Johnny Sexton stylishly celebrated his 100th cap with a second-half try as Ireland launched their autumn campaign with a crushing 60-5 win over Japan.

Josh van der Flier is tackled during the Ireland v Japan summer Test match

Depleted Ireland edge past Japan as fans return to Aviva Stadium

3rd July 2021

Ireland shrugged off the absence of several senior personnel to edge out Japan 39-31 in a fluctuating summer Test as supporters returned to the Aviva Stadium for the first time in 17 months.

Japan players celebrate a famous victory over Ireland at World Cup

Hosts Japan shock woeful Ireland as the World Cup comes alive

28th September 2019

Japan shocked the globe for the second time in four years by stunning Ireland 19-12 to light a bomb under Pool A and a fire under their home World Cup.

Ireland v Japan - Team Line-ups

Ireland Team

Forwards

  • 1 Andrew Porter
  • 2 Ronan Kelleher
  • 3 Thomas Clarkson
  • 4 James Ryan
  • 5 Tadhg Beirne
  • 6 Ryan Baird
  • 7 Nick Timoney
  • 8 Caelan Doris (Captain)

Backs

  • 9 Craig Casey
  • 10 Jack Crowley
  • 11 Jacob Stockdale
  • 12 Robbie Henshaw
  • 13 Tom Farrell
  • 14 Tommy O'Brien
  • 15 Jamie Osborne

Replacements

  • 16 Gus McCarthy
  • 17 Paddy McCarthy
  • 18 Finlay Bealham
  • 19 Cian Prendergast
  • 20 Jack Conan
  • 21 Caolin Blade
  • 22 Sam Prendergast
  • 23 Jimmy O'Brien

Japan Team

Forwards

  • 1 Kenta Kobayashi
  • 2 Kenji Sato
  • 3 Shuhei Takeuchi
  • 4 Epineri Uluiviti
  • 5 Warner Dearns (Captain)
  • 6 Ben Gunter
  • 7 Kanji Shimokawa
  • 8 Faulua Makisi

Backs

  • 9 Naoto Saito
  • 10 Seungsin Lee
  • 11 Tomoki Osada
  • 12 Charlie Lawrence
  • 13 Dylan Riley
  • 14 Kippei Ishida
  • 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki

Replacements

  • 16 Shodai Hirao
  • 17 Ryosuke Iwaihara
  • 18 Keijiro Tamefusa
  • 19 Jack Cornelsen
  • 20 Michael Leitch
  • 21 Shinobu Fujiwara
  • 22 Shinya Komura
  • 23 Yuya Hirose

Venue Information - Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4, Ireland

Stadium Enquiries: +353 (0)1 238 2300

Stadium Capacity: 51,700

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