Both Ireland and Japan got off to winning starts last weekend, but while Ireland may rest players, they should have the power to cover the handicap.
Key Stats - Ireland in Good Form
- Ireland have won 5 consecutive fixtures.
- Ireland have won 3 consecutive matches against Japan.
- Japan have lost 5 of their last 7 games.
- Japan lost to Ireland by 31 points in 2025.
Ireland Hold Comfortable H2H Lead
Ireland lead 7-1 in eight previous encounters against Japan. The only Japan win came during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Japan Shocked Italy last Weekend
Japan produced a solid second-half performance against Italy in their Nations Championship opener last weekend, winning 27-10 after leading 17-10 at the break.
Before that victory, Japan had some success during their Autumn Nations Series tour at the end of last year. They lost 41-10 to Ireland and 24-23 to Wales before edging Georgia 25-23.
Japan will be pleased with their performance against Italy, but they now face tougher opposition in Ireland, having lost three in a row to their opponents, including last year.
Ireland Confident after beating Wallabies
Ireland came from behind to beat Australia in their opening Nations Championship match last weekend, winning 33-31 after trailing 24-19 at half-time.
At the beginning of the year, Ireland fell short in their bid to win the Six Nations Championship earlier this year, finishing second overall. They lost 36-14 to France in their opening match before beating Italy 20-13, England 42-21, Wales 27-17, and Scotland 43-21.
Before that, the Irish team had a solid Autumn Nations Series last year. They lost 26-13 to New Zealand before beating Australia 46-19 and Japan 41-10.
Ireland overcame a tricky encounter against Australia in their Nations Championship opener, but will start confidently to secure back-to-back victories, as they have won five consecutive matches and beat Japan by 31 points last year.
Japan vs Ireland Squads & Team News
Japan
Warner Dearns, Takuro Matsunaga, and Ben Gunter scored a try each against Italy last weekend.
Takuro Matsunaga slotted three conversions and two penalties in the match.
Forwards: Hayate Era, Mamoru Harada, Kenji Sato, Yota Kamimori, Takato Okabe, Sojiro Otsuka, Izi Sword, Shuhei Takeuchi, Keijiro Tamefusa, Jack Cornelsen, Warner Dearns, Harry Hockings, Michael Stolberg, Tiennan Costley, Ben Gunter, Esei Ha'angana, Michael Leitch, Waisake Raratubua, Kanji Shimokawa
Backs: Takuro Hojo, Itsuki Kamimura, Naoto Saitō, Haruto Watanabe, Ryunosuke Ito, Shinya Komura, Samisoni Tua, Yuya Hirose, Shōgo Nakano, Dylan Riley, Inoke Burua, Kippei Ishida, Haruto Kida, Kazuma Ueda, Takuro Matsunaga, Shunsuke Uenobo
Ireland
Thomas Clarkson, Hugo Keenan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Josh van der Flier, and Cian Prendergast each crossed the try line against Australia last weekend.
Sam Prendergast kicked over four conversions in the match.
Jeremy Loughman sustained a head injury against Australia and has been stood down for this weekend's match.
Forwards: Rónan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan (c), Tom Stewart, Billy Bohan, Jeremy Loughman, Tom O'Toole, Tom Clarkson, Tadhg Furlong, Sam Illo, Tadhg Beirne, Cormac Izuchukwu, Joe McCarthy, Darragh Murray, James Ryan, Jack Conan, Sean Jansen, Cian Prendergast, Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier, Bryn Ward
Backs: Craig Casey, Nathan Doak, Jamison Gibson-Park, Harry Byrne, Ciarán Frawley, Sam Prendergast, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Garry Ringrose, Robert Baloucoune, Jimmy O'Brien, Jacob Stockdale, Zac Ward, Hugo Keenan, Jamie Osborne