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 number eight 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.
Tadhg Bierne, 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.
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.
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 9, 2026
Ireland team to play Japan in Nations Championship
Forwards: 1 Tom O'Toole (Ulster), 2 Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), 3 Thomas Clarkson (Leinster), 4 Tadhg Beirne (CAPTAIN, Munster), 5 James Ryan (Leinster), 6 Jack Conan (Leinster), 7 Nick Timoney (Ulster), 8 Sean Jansen (Connacht)*
Backs: 9 Craig Casey (Munster), 10 Ciaran Frawley (Leinster), 11 Jacob Stockdale (Ulster), 12 Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), 13 Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), 14 Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), 15 Jamie Osborne (Leinster)
Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart (Ulster), 17 Billy Bohan (Connacht)*, 18 Sam Illo (Connacht)*, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), 20 Bryn Ward (Ulster)*, 21 Nathan Doak (Ulster), 22 Harry Byrne (Leinster), 23 Bundee Aki (Connacht)
*Denotes uncapped player