Sean Jansen is poised 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 is one of four individuals set for their first international appearance in a significantly altered Irish lineup. Head coach Andy Farrell has made nine changes from the team that secured a 33-31 victory over Australia last weekend.
Jansen’s inclusion follows a strong season with Connacht, where he scored 10 tries in the United Rugby Championship and was a leading tackler, contributing to his team’s qualification for the Champions Cup. His journey to the national squad has been swift for the Dunedin-raised loose forward. He attended Otago Boys’ High School, played for Green Island, and spent a season on loan with North Otago in the Heartland Championship.
Before joining Connacht, Jansen played 15 games and scored five tries for English team Leicester. He qualifies to represent Ireland through his grandparents, who were from Antrim and Kildare. His potential was noted when he was selected for the Emerging Ireland team in 2024.
Squad Changes and Debuts
In addition to Jansen, three other players are set to make their Ireland debuts. Connacht teammates Billy Bohan and Sam Illo are named as replacement props, while Ulster back row Bryn Ward is also expected to make his international debut from the bench. Farrell expressed his excitement about the new players, stating that it is a special occasion to give one person a debut, let alone four.
Munster forward Tadhg Beirne will captain Ireland for the first time from the start of a match, with regular tour captain Dan Sheehan among several players being rested. Other players given a week off 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 selected for his first Test start at fly-half, forming a new half-back partnership with Craig Casey. This marks only Frawley’s second international start, having previously played at full-back against Wales in the 2024 Six Nations. Jacob Stockdale and Jimmy O’Brien are on the wings, with Jamie Osborne moving to full-back. The centre partnership will feature Stuart McCloskey and Robbie Henshaw.
In the front row, Tom O’Toole and Thomas Clarkson will start alongside hooker Ronan Kelleher, who is earning his 50th cap. Beirne will partner James Ryan in the second row. Jack Conan moves from number eight to blind-side flanker to accommodate Jansen, with Nick Timoney at open-side.
Japan’s Preparations and Future Fixtures
Japan, coached by former England and Australia boss Eddie Jones, will feature university student fly-half Ryunosuke Ito, who debuted against Italy. Taira Main replaces Kippei Ishida in their only change to the starting lineup. Jones is returning to the sidelines after serving a four-match ban imposed by the Japan Rugby Football Union for abusing match officials earlier in the year.
Jones has made comments regarding his team’s scrum dominance, which Farrell addressed with humour, stating that he expects Ireland to dominate in all areas of the game in both halves. Ireland previously defeated Japan 41-10 in Dublin in November. Japan’s sole victory in 11 encounters with Ireland was a 19-12 win at the 2019 World Cup.
Ireland will be without Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune, who missed the win against Australia, and Jeremy Loughman, who sustained a concussion. However, Farrell anticipates both players will be fit for the upcoming clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park next week.
Source: odt.co.nz
