Tadhg Beirne will lead Ireland out as captain for the first time on Saturday in Newcastle when they face Japan in the Nations Championship, with the 34-year-old Munster skipper calling the occasion a deeply meaningful moment for himself and his family. Having previously assumed the captaincy on a temporary basis, Beirne now assumes the role permanently whilst tour captain Dan Sheehan is rested, following his recent return from a knee injury that saw him feature off the bench in Ireland's comeback 33-31 victory over Australia.

Ireland will look to build on that Australian result, though Beirne has conceded that their defensive performance requires improvement to contain Japan's attacking approach. Japan arrive with confidence after opening their Nations Championship campaign with a convincing 27-10 win over Italy, and their tendency to maintain a relentless tempo throughout matches presents a significant tactical challenge that Ireland must match both in speed of play and physical intensity.