Tadhg Beirne to captain Ireland against Japan
James Ryan will start at second row for Ireland
©Photo by Adam Pretty - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Ireland have named a much-changed team to face Japan in the Nations Championship, with Tadhg Beirne set to captain the side from the start for the first time.
Ireland Make Nine Changes For Japan Test
Head coach Andy Farrell has made nine changes to the starting XV that edged Australia 33-31 in Sydney last weekend. Only six players retain their places as Ireland manage their squad ahead of a major clash with New Zealand at Eden Park on July 18.
Stuart McCloskey, Jamie Osborne, Jimmy O’Brien, Tom O’Toole, James Ryan and Jack Conan are the players retained from the Australia victory.
Tadhg Beirne Named Ireland Captain
Beirne will lead Ireland from the start for the first time, partnering James Ryan in the second row. The experienced Munster forward has captained Ireland on the field before but has not previously started a Test as skipper.
In the backline, Osborne moves from wing to full-back, with O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale completing the back three. Robbie Henshaw comes into midfield alongside McCloskey, while Craig Casey and Ciaran Frawley form a new half-back pairing.
Sean Jansen Set For First Ireland Start
Connacht back-row Sean Jansen will make his first Ireland start at No.8. Jack Conan shifts to blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney named at openside.
The front row features O’Toole, Ronan Kelleher and Tom Clarkson. Connacht props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo are set for debuts from the bench, while Ulster flanker Bryn Ward has been included in an Ireland matchday squad for the first time.
Ireland said they are largely injury-free, apart from Munster prop Jeremy Loughman, who suffered a concussion against Australia.
Ireland XV: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Jimmy O’Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Ciaran Frawley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Sean Jansen, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Jack Conan, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne (captain), 3 Tom Clarkson, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Tom O’Toole.
Reserves: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Billy Bohan, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki.
