Six-try Ireland eventually power past Japan

Autumn Nations Series

Ireland (17) 41

Tries: Crowley, Timoney, Porter, G McCarthy, P McCarthy, O’Brien Cons: Crowley 2, Prendergast 2 Pens: Crowley

Japan (10) 10

Ireland outlasted a tenacious Japan side to win 41-10 in a largely underwhelming autumn Test in Dublin.

After last week’s loss to New Zealand, the victory represents a first win of the autumn for Ireland and, after his British and Irish Lions sabbatical, a first with Andy Farrell at the helm since November 2024.

It did, however, come courtesy of a far from convincing first-half performance with Ireland scoring three tries in the final 13 minutes to put a gloss on the scoreline.

While tries from Jack Crowley and Nick Timoney, as well as seven points from the boot of the former, had the hosts in a 17-0 lead after half an hour, Japan played had plenty of enterprising rugby and were rewarded by Kenji Sato’s score three minutes before the break.

Eddie Jones’ visitors could not exert the same influence on the second half, failing to score in the second period and tries from front row forwards Andrew Porter, Gus McCarthy and Paddy McCarthy, as well as wing Tommy O’Brien, saw Ireland pull away in the second half.

Returning to Aviva Stadium for the first time since a comprehensive Six Nations defeat by France in March, Ireland did not initially get the response they hoped after last weekend’s loss at the hands of the All Blacks in Chicago.

Head coach Farrell made eight changes to his starting side but, as has often been the theme for his rotated sides in past Novembers, there was a distinct lack of rhythm in attack.

The early kick-off and a rare less-than-capacity crowd certainly gave a low-key feel but, after Japan dug themselves out of a 17-0 deficit to trail just 17-10 at half-time, there was no doubt that Ireland were in a genuine battle.

The visitors – who famously beat Ireland at their own World Cup in 2019 – arrived in Dublin off the back of a 61-7 drubbing at the hands of South Africa in Wembley last week but this did not have the same one-sided feel until the closing minutes.

Against New Zealand, Ireland’s set-piece struggled which in turn denied the side attacking opportunities through a game in which they managed just one try.

That their first line-out of the day was overthrown and resulted in a turnover did not hint at much of an improvement.

Even still, after the Irish pack made a considerably more encouraging start at the scrum, it was a surprise to see the hosts opt to kick for the posts after five minutes rather than trust their work out of touch to set up a maul.

Japan saw plenty of ball in the early stages – as evidenced by the necessity for O’Brien to make a pair of breakdown turnovers in the opening quarter of an hour – but their momentum was stalled by centre Charlie Lawrence’s yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the 17th minute.

Tries through Crowley and Timoney either side of Lawrence’s return would have been expected to settle what had been a nervy beginning, but Ireland’s response to their 17-0 was a poor one.

In the final passage of the first half, Ireland’s Jacob Stockdale was shown a yellow card with his side left to face the first 10 minutes after the restart a man light.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ireland secured the first points of the second half when, after a much more purposeful passage of play, Andrew Porter barged over from close range.

The 12-point lead, and the return of Stockdale from the sin-bin, was the call for Farrell to go to his bench for the first time with brothers Sam and Cian Prendergast, as well as Jack Conan, entering the game.

After a disappointing impact from last week’s replacements, Ireland at least had the better of the final quarter here.

Hooker Gus McCarthy, on in place of Ronan Keller, finished off a maul score to make the game safe with 13 minutes remaining, while his fellow replacement and namesake Paddy McCarthy followed him across the whitewash five minutes later.

There was still time for Tommy O’Brien to score a counter-attacking try to round out the scoring in the closing moments with the final flurry giving the impression of a much more convincing victory.

A year ago, the disappointment of defeat by New Zealand to start the autumn felt as if it bleed across the next three weekends despite Irish wins over Argentina, Fiji and Australia.

This was not an 80 minutes to dispel the notion that history could repeat itself.

Ireland: Osborne; T O’Brien, Farrell, Henshaw, Stockdale; Crowley, Casey; Porter, Kelleher, Clarkson, Ryan, Beirne, Baird, Timoney, Doris (capt).

Replacements: G McCarthy, P McCarthy, Bealham, C Prendergast, Conan, Blade, S Prendergast, J O’Brien.

Japan: Yazaki; Ishida, Riley, Lawrence, Osada; Lee, Saito; Kobayashi, Sato, Takeuchi, Uluiviti, Dearns, Gunter, Shimokawa, Makisi.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (ITA)

Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (ITA), Federico Vedovelli (ITA)

Television Match Official: Matteo Liperini (ITA)