Four debutants named in Ireland squad for Japan as Farrell rings changes

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.

Fixture

Nations Championship

Japan

20 - 36

Full-time

Ireland

All Stats and Data

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.

Ireland XV
15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(16)
14. Jimmy O’Brien (Naas/Leinster)(12)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(84)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(29)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(42)
10. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(13)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(28)
1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(22)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(49)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(14)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(71)(captain)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(81)
6. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(60)
7. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(12)
8. Sean Jansen (Connacht)*

Replacements
16. Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(5)
17. Billy Bohan (Corinthians/Connacht)*
18. Sam Illo (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(4)
20. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
21. Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster)(1)
22. Harry Byrne (Lansdowne/Leinster)(4)
23. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(70)