Ireland weigh youth and continuity for Japan test as O'Brien seizes second chance

O'Brien's long road back

Jimmy O'Brien's late inclusion against Australia last Saturday was his first major Test since the 2023 World Cup quarter-final. A neck injury sidelined him for five months, and a torn hamstring then ruled him out of the following autumn campaign. By his own admission, his form suffered. A strong finish to the season with Leinster, where he scored five tries in seven appearances, earned him a squad place, but he was not in the original match-day 23 to face the Wallabies. Robert Baloucoune's hamstring withdrawal handed O'Brien a start on the wing.

I was delighted to play. It was probably one of the bigger games I've played in the last couple of years.

O'Brien acknowledged that a conversation with Leinster head coach Leo Cullen sharpened his focus. Cullen told him wingers need to score tries, and O'Brien responded with a late-season surge. He admitted to frustration at missing Leinster's Champions Cup and URC final match-day squads, but channelled that into his Test opportunity.

Youth gets its chance

Scrum coach John Fogarty confirmed that the management will use the Japan fixture to assess younger players, with one eye on next week's clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park. Jeremy Loughman's head injury has forced the issue: 20-year-old prop Billy Bohan is set to make his Test debut. Fogarty indicated that tighthead Sam Illo will also be involved, while back-row Sean Jansen and Ulster brothers Zac and Bryn Ward are uncapped players in the touring party.

We've brought the younger players over here to see what they're made of, so we'll see.

Rónan Kelleher could win his 50th cap, with Tadhg Beirne likely to captain if front-line stars are rested. Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park, Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan may all be held back for the All Blacks, opening the door for Craig Casey, Tom Stewart, Nathan Doak and Ciarán Frawley or Harry Byrne at outhalf.

Japan's new playmaker

Japan arrive on the back of a 27-10 win over Italy in Tokyo, built around the debut of 21-year-old fly-half Ryunosuke Ito. Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada described Ito as "a player of the future" after his first Test match, which was only his second professional game. Ireland utility back Jimmy O'Brien identified Ito as a key threat, noting Japan's sharp attack and their willingness to use short contestable kicks rather than long territorial punts.

Ito being so young, coming from university level and playing his first Test match, we thought it could be a bit tough for him. I think he showed a lot of character.

Selection balancing act

Andy Farrell has long insisted that caps are not handed out freely, and the team to face Japan will reflect a blend of continuity and rotation. Stuart McCloskey, back from a hamstring injury, is expected to retain the number 12 jersey. Garry Ringrose may be rested, with Robbie Henshaw a natural fit at outside centre. In the back three, Keenan could be wrapped in cotton wool, allowing O'Brien to shift to full-back or Jamie Osborne to return to the position he occupied throughout the Six Nations. Baloucoune remains a doubt with his hamstring issue.

Lineout worries linger

Gordon D'Arcy's analysis of the 33-31 win over Australia highlighted a malfunctioning lineout that cost Ireland early points. Yet the team found a way to win, a quality D'Arcy attributed to resilience and trust built over years. He cautioned that the performance did not reveal a new Ireland, but the ability to problem-solve under fatigue bodes well for the challenges ahead.

O'Brien's improved strike rate mirrors a wider attacking trend. He noted that teams are increasingly kicking to regain possession rather than for territory, a pattern that has carried over from the European Champions Cup into the Nations Championship.