Ireland are a man down with debutant set for Japan call

Ireland will be forced into at least one change for Saturday’s second game of the Nations Championship after Jeremy Loughman was stood down this week with a concussion.

The Munster loosehead prop has been ruled out of the clash with Japan at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, with Connacht’s Billy Bohan likely to come off the bench for a debut.

The 6’3, 114kg 20-year-old has played just 15 times for Connacht, the former Ireland U20 international also picking up a single cap for Ireland A against England A back in February.

Loughman’s injury means Bohan is the next cab off the rank at loosehead, a position whose depth charts have taken a pummelling this year at provincial level due to injuries.

Kick-off is 8.10pm local time/11.10am Irish time.

There is also a watch-and-see brief on Rob Baloucoune.

An IRFU statement reads: “Jeremy Loughman (concussion) is stood down this week and a decision on Rob Baloucoune (hamstring) will be made later in the week after he missed the 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney on Saturday.”

The Ulster winger’s place in the matchday squad remains in the balance as management assess his recovery, but Andy Farrell will be hoping he’s available after his star turn during the Six Nations.

On a positive note, there are no further injury concerns beyond those two cases, some relief for Farrell after the physical demands of last weekend’s contest against Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies in Sydney.

The Ireland team to face Japan will be named at 8am Thursday morning, Australian time.
Ireland will be looking to go two from two in the Nations Championship when they face Japan, who beat Italy 27-10 on the weekend in the first round.