Dunedin-born Jansen set to face All Blacks at Eden Park on just his second Ireland cap

Sean Jansen will face his home nation for the first time on just his second Ireland appearance, after Andy Farrell named the Dunedin-born backrower among the replacements for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.

Jansen made a try-scoring debut in Ireland’s 36-20 win over Japan in Newcastle last weekend and was honoured with a haka from his teammates after the final whistle. He shifts to the bench this week as Tadhg Beirne moves from the second row into the loose forwards alongside British & Irish Lions Josh van der Flier and Jack Conan.

Farrell was effusive about the 27-year-old’s composure on debut and expressed confidence he would carry that form into one of rugby’s most demanding venues.

“I obviously said after the Japan game that he’s a fantastic example of how to nail your debut,” Farrell told reporters in Auckland. “Basically he’s just being himself. He doesn’t let the game or the thought of first cap or anything like that get in the way of producing what he knows he’s all about. You just know he’s going to be able to do that again on Saturday.”

Jansen left New Zealand in early 2022 after signing with Premiership club Leicester, before moving to Connacht in the URC 13 months later. Farrell credited that journey as a mark of character.

“He shows his character, doesn’t it, of how he’s gone about his business,” the Ireland head coach said. “Backing himself to go overseas — first at Leicester and then he went to Connacht — and he’s been unbelievably consistent, and not just consistent but some top performances certainly for Connacht this year, and he’s backed that up at Test level. I don’t think he’ll be overawed by what’s in front of him at all.”

Jansen is one of three New Zealand-born players in Ireland’s matchday squad. Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park starts, while Bundee Aki — a former World Rugby Player of the Year nominee — is named at No. 23. Dan Sheehan, a 40-Test hooker, returns to captain the side, with Ronan Kelleher also among the replacements.

Farrell confirmed Ireland have a fully fit group of 36 to choose from. “We should be pleased with a fully fit squad,” he said. “A healthy squad is always nice and there’s a bit of competition there as well.”

Both Ireland and New Zealand enter the match with two wins from two in the Nations Championship, setting up a contest that will determine who leads the standings after the third round.