Five Kildare Players Named As Part Of Irish Rugby Team To Play Japan On Saturday

Kick-off is at 11.10am - Irish time

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made nine changes to the team for Saturday's Nations Championship test against Japan.

Kick-off is at 11.10am - Irish time

Eadestown's Tadhg Beirne captains the side, while hooker Rónan Kelleher will reach 50 Test caps in green when he starts in the front row.

There are also four players in line for their Ireland debuts

Connacht back row Sean Jansen with Kildare connections in Monasterevin is named to start at number eight, with his provincial team-mates Newbridge's Billy Bohan and Sam Illo set for their first appearances in green off the bench.

Ulster back row Bryn Ward is also included in the Ireland Match Day 23 for the first time.

Having started on the left wing last week, Naas's Jamie Osborne switches to full-back alongside Eadestown's Jimmy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale, as Robbie Henshaw comes into the Ireland midfield to partner Stuart McCloskey.

There is also a new-look half-back pairing for Ireland as Craig Casey and Ciaran Frawley are selected to start.

In the pack, the front row sees Tom O'Toole, Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson combine, with captain Beirne partnering James Ryan in the second row.

Jack Conan switches to blindside flanker, with Nick Timoney named at openside and Jansen completing Ireland’s starting team at number eight.

Suncroft Prendergast brothers are rested for this one.

15. Jamie Osborne (Naas/Leinster)(16)
14. Jimmy O’Brien (Naas/Leinster)(12)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster)(84)
12. Stuart McCloskey (Bangor/Ulster)(29)
11. Jacob Stockdale (Lurgan/Ulster)(42)
10. Ciaran Frawley (UCD/Leinster)(13)
9. Craig Casey (Shannon/Munster)(28)

1. Tom O’Toole (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(22)
2. Rónan Kelleher (Lansdowne/Leinster)(49)
3. Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College/Leinster)(14)
4. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster)(71)(captain)
5. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster)(81)
6. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)(60)
7. Nick Timoney (Queen’s University/Ulster)(12)
8. Sean Jansen (Connacht)*

Replacements:

16. Tom Stewart (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(5)
17. Billy Bohan (Corinthians/Connacht)*
18. Sam Illo (Buccaneers/Connacht)*
19. Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch/Ulster)(4)
20. Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*
21. Nathan Doak (Banbridge/Ulster)(1)
22. Harry Byrne (Lansdowne/Leinster)(4)
23. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)(70).