Ireland v Japan: Caelan Doris to Start as Tadhg Beirne Returns

Rugby Focus and Ireland vs Japan

The Autumn Nations Series presents an important opportunity for the Irish team as they prepare to face Japan on Saturday. This fixture not only serves as a warm-up match but also marks significant changes within the squad, including the return of experienced players like Caelan Doris.

New Faces and Changes

For the upcoming match against Japan, Ireland has named Caelan Doris in the starting XV. This move follows his recent return from an injury, where he made his first appearance since May during a 26-13 loss to New Zealand as a replacement.

Tadhg Beirne’s inclusion is notable given that his early red card against the All Blacks was rescinded after review, indicating the trust coach Andy Farrell places in him. The return of Tadhg and other changes like Ryan Baird at blind-side flanker and Nick Timoney at open-side add depth to Ireland’s back row.

Debutant Tom Farrell

Adding another layer of excitement is the debut of 32-year-old Munster centre, Tom Farrell. His selection for this match marks a significant moment in his career as he plays alongside Robbie Henshaw in midfield after not having featured at the senior level since 2019.

Coach Andy Farrell highlighted Tom’s resilience and dedication over the past couple of seasons, emphasizing that he is playing his best rugby. “The word resilience doesn’t do it justice,” said Farrell. “He has kept on fighting and fighting and fighting and he gets to make his dream come true.”

Line-Up and Strategic Changes

The starting lineup for Ireland features Jacob Stockdale returning on the wing, marking his first Test since a shoulder injury in a summer match against Georgia. Craig Casey is selected at half-back alongside Jack Crowley from Munster, providing fresh dynamism to the scrum-half position.

Ronan Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson come into the front row, while Andrew Porter retains his place from the recent loss to New Zealand. The bench features strong reinforcements with Gus McCarthy, Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Cian Prendergast, Jack Conan, Caolin Blade, Sam Prendergast, and Jimmy O’Brien ready to support the team.

Preparation for Future Tournaments

Andy Farrell emphasized that this selection process is crucial as Ireland prepares for upcoming matches against Australia and South Africa. “Everything gets thrown into the pot in regards to selection when you’ve four big games and you throw in a bit of travel as well,” he explained.

The head coach highlighted that those who don’t get a chance to play this weekend are eager to prove their worth. This mindset ensures that every player is motivated, knowing they have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities before facing more formidable opponents later in the season. This match against Japan marks an important moment for both teams and sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting encounter at Aviva Stadium on November 8th.