Ireland name four debutants against Japan as Farrell overhauls starting XV

Andy Farrell has named four uncapped players in a heavily rotated Ireland XV to face Japan in Newcastle on Saturday, with just three starters retained from last week’s 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney.

Connacht number eight Sean Jansen leads the debutants in the starting line-up, while props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo — both of Connacht — and Ulster back row Bryn Ward are named on the bench and also in line for their first caps.

Tadhg Beirne, who came off the bench against Australia, captains the side from the start for the first time, with hooker Ronan Kelleher set to reach the milestone of 50 international appearances.

The only survivors from the starting XV that faced Australia are prop Tom O’Toole, second row James Ryan, and Jack Conan, who shifts from number eight to blindside flanker to accommodate Jansen. Behind the scrum, Jamie Osborne moves from wing to full-back, while Stuart McCloskey is the one other back to retain his starting berth.

Ciaran Frawley and Craig Casey form a new half-back partnership, with Robbie Henshaw coming in to partner McCloskey in the centres. Jacob Stockdale fills the wing role vacated by Osborne’s positional switch, and Jimmy O’Brien keeps his place on the opposite flank.

Ireland XV: 15. Jamie Osborne, 14. Jimmy O’Brien, 13. Robbie Henshaw, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 11. Jacob Stockdale, 10. Ciaran Frawley, 9. Craig Casey, 1. Tom O’Toole, 2. Ronan Kelleher, 3. Thomas Clarkson, 4. Tadhg Beirne (captain), 5. James Ryan, 6. Jack Conan, 7. Nick Timoney, 8. Sean Jansen.

Replacements: 16. Tom Stewart, 17. Billy Bohan, 18. Sam Illo, 19. Cormac Izuchukwu, 20. Bryn Ward, 21. Nathan Doak, 22. Harry Byrne, 23. Bundee Aki.