Ireland v Japan - Teams and Prediction 

PREVIEW: Ireland and Japan enter this clash wounded, with both teams having suffered defeats to New Zealand and South Africa last weekend, respectively.

Following Ireland’s defeat to New Zealand in Chicago, there’s been plenty of talk amongst the pundits and general rugby public regarding whether or not Andy Farrell’s side is going through a dip with an ageing squad.

Other criticism that’s been floating around is the selection of predominantly Leinster players.

Leinster had a horror start to their United Rugby Championship season, winning two of their opening five games and finding themselves in seventh place on the table.

Japan head coach Eddie Jones, however, rubbished these talks and backed Ireland boss Andy Farrell to turn his team’s fortunes around.

“No one in Ireland wants Ireland to lose, and so the expectation is to win every game; when they lose a game, it’s a calamity,” said Jones after naming his team to play Ireland on Thursday.

“It’s the first time I’ve read the [Irish] papers for a while and I’ve been reading that it’s a crisis in Irish rugby.”

Jones added: “But you’re still top four in the world – 20 years ago, you came on a European tour and Ireland was the easiest game of the tour. The change in Irish rugby has been absolutely extraordinary.

“You’re going through this difficult little period now, which I think you’ve just got to accept, and the young players will come through, but they all need time in the saddle.”

Jones also sang Farrell’s praises for the job he’s done with Ireland since transitioning from assistant coach in 2016 to head coach in 2019 until present.

“I’ve been really impressed by him,” Jones said of Farrell.

“He was always going to be a good coach. He had that feel for the game, a good personality, good character, tough but engaging.

“The way that he took over from Joe [Schmidt] – and probably the first 12 months was quite difficult. He’s done an absolutely fantastic job.

“Now comes the next test: how do you adjust the team, because you’ve got a new team you need to create?

“It will be a good test for him, but he’ll handle it.”

Andy Farrell named namesake Tom Farrell in the starting line-up on debut.

He will become the oldest Ireland player to make his debut since Nathan White in 2015 after his outstanding performances for Munster over the past couple of seasons, replacing Garry Ringrose, who is being rested.

“Tom [Farrell] becomes our latest debutant and his is a real Roy of the Rovers story when you look at his journey in the game to this point,” said Andy Farrell.

“Tom has worked really hard to earn the right to represent his country, and I know how proud he is to be involved this weekend after knocking on the selection door for the last few seasons.

“In congratulating him on his selection, I would like to wish Tom the best of luck.”

Farrell said that they’ve taken the lessons from the defeat in Chicago and urged his side to be ‘sharp’ against Japan.

“I have been pleased with the application and diligence of the squad this week.

“Since returning from Chicago on Monday morning, the squad have assessed the areas we need to collectively improve upon.

“It will be a battle against a Japan side who play the game in a positive manner and will look to ask questions of us.

“From our side we will look to be sharp and implement our game plan, and we’re preparing for a big test.

“Saturday presents us with an opportunity to play in front of a packed Aviva Stadium.

Playing at home is a privilege that we never take lightly, and it’s the start of an exciting three weeks of games as we look to build momentum.”

Players to watch

For Ireland: There will be eyes on debutant Tom Farrell, who partners Robbie Henshaw in the centres. Jack Crowley also has an opportunity to stake his claim for the No.10 jumper after a mixed bag performance last week. In the forwards, captain Caelan Doris should set the tone early, along with his two flankers Nick Timoney and Ryan Baird.

For Japan: The centre combination of Dylan Riley and Charlie Lawrence could be devastating to put their speedy outside backs in space. Toulouse Scrumhalf Naoto Saito will be hopeful that his forward pack puts on a better display to get good ball to his halfback partner and vice-captain Seung-Sin Lee. There will also be eyes on the tight five driven by captain Warner Dearns to stand up physically against the Irish after lacking in that department against the Boks last week.

Prediction 

@Rugby365: Ireland by 30 points

Teams

Ireland: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Tommy O’Brien, 13 Tom Farrell, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Crowley, 9 Craig Casey, 8 Caelan Doris (captain), 7 Nick Timoney, 6 Ryan Baird, 5 Tadhg Beirne, 4 James Ryan, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 2 Rónan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Replacements: 16 Gus McCarthy, 17 Paddy McCarthy, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Cian Prendergast, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Sam Prendergast, 23 Jimmy O’Brien

Japan: 15 Yoshitaka Yazaki, 14 Kippei Ishida, 13 Dylan Riley (vice-captain), 12 Charlie Lawrence, 11 Tomoki Osada, 10 Seung-sin Lee (vice-captain), 9 Naoto Saito, 8 Faulua Makisi, 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 6 Ben Gunter, 5 Warner Dearns (captain), 4 Epineri Uluiviti, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 2 Kenji Sato, 1 Kenta Kobayashi
Replacements: 16 Shodai Hirao, 17 Ryosuke Iwaihara, 18 Keijiro Tamefusa, 19 Jack Cornelsen, 20 Micheal Leitch, 21 Shinobu Fujiwara, 22 Shinya Komura, 23 Yuya Hirose

Date: Saturday, October 8
Venue: AVIVA Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 12.40 (21.40 JST; 12.40 GMT)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Federico Vedovelli (Italy)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

With additional reporting by AFP