Sean Jansen is set to make his debut for Ireland, starting at number eight in the Nations Championship match against Japan in Newcastle, Australia. The former Green Island player will be one of four debutants for Ireland in the upcoming fixture. Head coach Andy Farrell has made nine changes to the squad that secured a 33-31 victory over the Wallabies last weekend.
Jansen’s inclusion follows a notable season with Connacht, where he scored 10 tries in the United Rugby Championship and ranked third in tackles made, contributing to his team’s qualification for the Champions Cup. His journey to the Irish national team has been swift for the Dunedin-raised loose forward. Jansen attended Otago Boys’ High School and played for Green Island before spending a season on loan with North Otago in the Heartland Championship.
After his time in New Zealand, Jansen moved overseas, playing 15 games and scoring five tries for Leicester in England before joining Connacht. He qualifies to represent Ireland through his grandparents, who were from Antrim and Kildare. Jansen had previously been identified for the Emerging Ireland team in 2024.
Squad Changes and Debuts
In addition to Jansen, three other players are poised to make their international debuts for Ireland. Connacht teammates Billy Bohan and Sam Illo have been named as replacement props, while Ulster back row Bryn Ward is also set to earn his first cap from the bench at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Farrell commented on the significance of these debuts, stating that it is always a special occasion to give one person a debut, let alone four. He expressed anticipation for how the new players will approach the game and contribute to the team. These changes come as Ireland prepares for their next fixture against the All Blacks in Auckland.
Munster forward Tadhg Beirne will captain Ireland for the first time from the start, with regular tour captain Dan Sheehan among several players being rested for the match in Newcastle. Other players rested include forwards Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, and Josh van der Flier, as well as backs Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose, and Hugo Keenan.
Ciaran Frawley has been given his first Test start at fly-half, forming a new half-back pairing with Craig Casey. This marks Frawley’s second international start, having previously played at full-back against Wales in the 2024 Six Nations. Jacob Stockdale and Jimmy O’Brien will play on the wings, with Jamie Osborne moving to full-back after starting the Australia game on the left wing. Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw will form an experienced centre partnership.
In the front row, Tom O’Toole and Thomas Clarkson, who scored the decisive late try against Australia, will start alongside hooker Ronan Kelleher, who is earning his 50th cap. Beirne will be partnered by James Ryan in the second row. Jack Conan moves from number eight to blind-side flanker to accommodate Jansen’s debut, with Nick Timoney selected at open-side.
The Irish bench features several inexperienced players, including the uncapped Bohan, Illo, and Ward. Ulster pair Tom Stewart and Cormac Izuchukwu are named as pack replacements. Scrum-half Nathan Doak is set to earn his second cap, and back-up fly-half Harry Byrne is poised to make his first Ireland appearance since 2024. Bundee Aki completes the matchday squad.
Japan’s Preparations and Rivalry
Japan enters the match having defeated Italy 27-10 in their Nations Championship opener last week. Head coach Eddie Jones has retained university student fly-half Ryunosuke Ito, who debuted against Italy, and has made one change to his line-up, with Taira Main replacing Kippei Ishida.
Jones returns to coaching after serving a four-match ban imposed by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) for abusing match officials during an under-23 tour of Australia earlier this year. Ahead of the match, Jones made comments regarding his team’s scrum dominance, which Farrell addressed with good humour, acknowledging their long-standing relationship from their time at Saracens.
Ireland previously defeated Japan 41-10 when the teams met in Dublin in November. Japan’s only victory in 11 encounters with Ireland was a 19-12 success at the 2019 World Cup in Shizuoka.
Ireland will be without Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune, who missed the win against Australia, and Jeremy Loughman, who sustained a concussion in Sydney. Farrell expects both players to recover in time for the upcoming clash against New Zealand at Eden Park.
The match against Japan is scheduled to take place in Newcastle, Australia.
Source: odt.co.nz
