Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made nine changes to his starting side for Saturday's Nations Championship fixture against Japan in Newcastle, Australia, with four players set to win their first caps. The reshuffle comes after Ireland's dramatic 33-31 win over Australia and ahead of a high-profile meeting with the All Blacks in Auckland the following week, suggesting Farrell is managing his squad across a demanding schedule.

Connacht number eight Sean Jansen starts on debut, while club team-mates Billy Bohan and Sam Illo and Ulster's Bryn Ward are named among the replacements for their first international involvement. Tadhg Beirne captains the side for the first time, with tour skipper Dan Sheehan among several senior players rested. Ciaran Frawley is handed a first Test start at fly-half alongside Craig Casey, and hooker Ronan Kelleher wins his 50th cap. Ireland beat Japan 41-10 in Dublin in November, and Japan's only win in 11 meetings came at the 2019 World Cup.