Japan

20 - 36

Full Time

Ireland

Ireland vs Japan

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Andrea Piardi has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

Conversion

Harry Byrne converts the try.

80'

Try

Ireland are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Tom Stewart picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

79'

This is dangerous for the defence as Tom Stewart bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.

79'

Spellbinding play by Nathan Doak is finished off with a try.

79'

Takato Okabe comes on.

79'

Jack Cornelsen comes off.

79'

Yellow Card

Hayate Era (Japan) is shown a yellow card

76'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Itsuki Kamimura getting some game time.

72'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Naoto Saito being replaced.

72'

A gap opened in the defence and Ciaran Frawley took full advantage.

72'

Penalty Goal

Harry Byrne has kicked a penalty goal.

70'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Nathan Doak getting some game time.

70'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Craig Casey being replaced.

70'

A gap opened in the defence and Jimmy O'Brien took full advantage.

69'

Ireland sub Bryn Ward comes onto the field.

61'

Sean Jansen departs for Ireland.

61'

Ireland sub Cormac Izuchukwu comes onto the field.

61'

Jack Conan departs for Ireland.

61'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Takuro Matsunaga kicks the conversion.

59'

Harry Byrne comes on for Ireland.

58'

Jacob Stockdale leaves the field.

58'

Tom Stewart comes on for Ireland.

58'

Ronan Kelleher leaves the field.

58'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Hayate Era from scoring as they record the try for Japan.

58'

Billy Bohan comes on.

54'

Tom O'Toole comes off.

54'

Keijiro Tamefusa comes on.

53'

Shuhei Takeuchi comes off.

53'

Sojiro Otsuka comes on.

53'

Takato Okabe comes off.

53'

Michael Leitch comes on.

52'

Kanji Shimokawa comes off.

52'

Michael Stolberg comes on.

52'

Harry Hockings comes off.

52'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Ciaran Frawley kicks the conversion.

50'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Sean Jansen from scoring as they record the try for Ireland.

50'

Jack Conan sets up the try.

50'

Ronan Kelleher makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

49'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Bundee Aki getting some game time.

47'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Stuart McCloskey being replaced.

47'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Sam Illo getting some game time.

47'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Thomas Clarkson being replaced.

47'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Hayate Era getting some game time.

47'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Mamoru Harada being replaced.

47'

Japan make a substitution with Sam Greene coming on.

40'

Japan make a substitution with Dylan Riley coming off.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Fabulous play by Ireland has led to Nick Timoney being able to wriggle through a gap.

39'

Fabulous play by Japan has led to Dylan Riley being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Conversion

Ciaran Frawley does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

34'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Ireland as Robbie Henshaw goes over.

34'

Craig Casey sets up the try.

34'

Tiennan Costley comes on for Japan.

31'

Yuya Hirose leaves the field.

31'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Takuro Matsunaga kicks the penalty goal.

27'

Ciaran Frawley curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

21'

Try

Ireland are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Tom O'Toole picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

20'

That's a great try assist by Thomas Clarkson.

20'

This is dangerous for the defence as Jimmy O'Brien bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.

19'

Penalty Goal

Takuro Matsunaga does the business as their penalty goal attempt goes over.

17'

Conversion

Ciaran Frawley has kicked a conversion.

Try

Nick Timoney scores the try from close range.

Craig Casey played a key part in that try.

A gap opened in the defence and Jacob Stockdale took full advantage.

Conversion

Takuro Matsunaga has kicked a conversion.

Try

A stunning solo try from Taira Main

The defensive line has been broken as Taira Main goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee Andrea Piardi blows their whistle.

Watch

Japan v Ireland

www.rugbypass.tv

Match Details

  
 Japan v Ireland 
  
 Round 2 
  
 Sat 11th July 2026, 05:10am CDT 
  
 McDonald Jones Stadium 
  
 RugbyPass TV 
  
 Andrea Piardi

Points Flow Chart

Ireland win +16

Time in lead

Mins in lead

20%

% Of Game In Lead

69%

33%

Possession Last 10 min

67%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Byrne

80'

20 - 36

Stewart

79'

20 - 34

Era

20 - 29

76'

Byrne

70'

20 - 29

Matsunaga

20 - 26

59'

Era

18 - 26

58'

Frawley

50'

13 - 26

Jansen

50'

13 - 24

Half Time

Frawley

34'

13 - 19

Henshaw

34'

13 - 17

Matsunaga

13 - 12

27'

O'Toole

20'

10 - 12

Matsunaga

10 - 7

17'

Frawley

7 - 7

Timoney

7 - 5

Matsunaga

7 - 0

Main

5 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.6

Entries

Attack Profile

Japan

Ireland

More Less

Defence Profile

Japan

Ireland

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

69%

72%

3-6 secs

28%

23%

6+ secs

Rucks Won

110

Last 5 Penalties

75'

76'

77'

Japan

Ireland

Japan vs Ireland Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Japan face off against Ireland in Nations Championship Round 2 on Sat 11th July 2026 at McDonald Jones Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 11:10 and is broadcast on ITV. In South Africa it’s at 12:10 SAST on SuperSport, 22:10 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 20:10 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 03:10 EST on RugbyPass TV in the US.

Ireland won the last encounter but Ireland are in the best form of their last 5 games.

World Rankings

Heading into the fixture, Ireland sits at 3 in the World Rugby Rankings, while Japan holds 11.

The two sides are separated by 8 places in the rankings with Japan in position 11 and Ireland in position 3 as such Ireland are favourites on paper.

Japan vs Ireland Squads

The official squads for Japan vs Ireland will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.