3 hours ago Autumn Nations Series ‘I’m not a big centre’: Len Ikitau’s take on Ireland’s midfield
Wallabies centre Len Ikitau isn’t shying away from the challenge that awaits against Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
It's all over! The referee Gianluca Gnecchi has blown their whistle to end the game.
Sam Prendergast has kicked a conversion.
Tommy O'Brien goes on their own for a try.
This is dangerous for the defence as Tommy O'Brien bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.
Sam Prendergast played a key part in that try.
A gap opened in the defence and Jacob Stockdale took full advantage.
Sam Prendergast has kicked a conversion.
Paddy McCarthy scores the try from close range.
Ireland make a substitution with Paddy McCarthy coming on.
Ireland make a substitution with Andrew Porter coming off.
Japan make a substitution with Shodai Hirao coming on.
Japan make a substitution with Kenji Sato coming off.
Sam Prendergast curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the left.
The Ireland pack has powered over for Gus McCarthy to score the try.
Japan make a substitution with Yuya Hirose coming on.
Japan make a substitution with Charlie Lawrence coming off.
Ireland make a substitution with Jimmy O'Brien coming on.
Ireland make a substitution with Jamie Osborne coming off.
The defensive line has been broken as Jacob Stockdale goes through the gap.
The defensive line has been broken as Yoshitaka Yazaki goes through the gap.
The defensive line has been broken as Tommy O'Brien goes through the gap.
Ireland sub Caolin Blade comes onto the field.
Craig Casey departs for Ireland.
Ben Gunter comes on for Japan.
Faulua Makisi leaves the field.
Keijiro Tamefusa comes on for Japan.
Shuhei Takeuchi leaves the field.
Shinya Komura comes on for Japan.
Seungsin Lee leaves the field.
Shinobu Fujiwara comes on for Japan.
Naoto Saito leaves the field.
Finlay Bealham comes on for Ireland.
Thomas Clarkson leaves the field.
Gus McCarthy comes on for Ireland.
Ronan Kelleher leaves the field.
Jack Cornelsen comes on.
Epineri Uluiviti comes off.
Jack Conan comes on.
Nick Timoney comes off.
Cian Prendergast comes on.
James Ryan comes off.
Ryosuke Iwaihara comes on.
Kenta Kobayashi comes off.
Sam Prendergast comes on.
Jack Crowley comes off.
Japan decide to make a substitution, with Michael Leitch getting some game time.
Japan decide to make a substitution, with Ben Gunter being replaced.
Jack Crowley has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.
The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Andrew Porter dots the ball down from close range.
Spellbinding play by Craig Casey is finished off with a try.
Tommy O'Brien makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.
The second half kicks off.
The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.
Seungsin Lee kicks the penalty.
Fabulous play by Japan has led to Tomoki Osada being able to wriggle through a gap.
Jacob Stockdale (Ireland) is shown a yellow card
Seungsin Lee does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.
The Japan maul pushes over the tryline as Kenji Sato scores.
Jack Crowley does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.
Brilliant skill shown there by Nick Timoney as they go over the white wash for a try.
Trouble here as Nick Timoney breaches the defence.
Spellbinding play by James Ryan is finished off with a try.
This is dangerous for the defence as Tommy O'Brien bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.
This is dangerous for the defence as Jamie Osborne bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.
Jack Crowley makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.
A wonderful passing move by Ireland is finished off by Jack Crowley
This is dangerous for the defence as Jack Crowley bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.
Caelan Doris sets up the try.
This is dangerous for the defence as Thomas Clarkson bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.
Charlie Lawrence (Japan) is shown a yellow card
A gap opened in the defence and Tomoki Osada took full advantage.
Jack Crowley kicks the penalty.
We are underway as the referee Gianluca Gnecchi blows their whistle.
Ireland face off against Japan in Internationals on Sat 8th November 2025 at Aviva Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 13:40 and is broadcast on TNT Sports, Discovery+. In South Africa it’s at 14:40 SAST on SuperSport, 00:40 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 22:40 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 07:40 EST in the US.
Ireland won the last encounter but Ireland are in the best form of their last 5 games.
Heading into the fixture, Ireland sits at 3 in the World Rugby Rankings, while Japan holds 13.
The two sides are separated by 10 places in the rankings with Ireland in position 3 and Japan in position 13 as such Ireland are favourites on paper.
The official squads for Ireland vs Japan will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.
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Don’t under estimate the Japanese …. they are riding an ever bigger wave. They bring a fast free flowing game with speed, energy, ball in hand & a never say die attitude …..