As expected, Caelan Doris returns to captain Ireland in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series game against Japan at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 12.40, live on RTÉ2 & TNT Sports) as one of eight changes in the starting XV following last weekend’s 26-13 loss to New Zealand in Chicago.
Doris bridged a six-month absence from the game after recovering from shoulder surgery to play a total of 37 minutes off the bench in Soldier Field.
In what is an uplifting and inspiring story, the late developing Munster centre Tom Farrell will become the oldest back to make his debut for Ireland in the professional era after being named at outside centre. Released by Connacht the season before last, Farrell previously played for Lansdowne and Bedford Blues after failing to earn a pro contract with Leinster following his stint in their academy.
His selection is a reward for a strong start to the season, augmenting his breakout campaign with Munster.
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With Stuart McCloskey injured, Robbie Henshaw is chosen ahead of Bundee Aki at inside centre, while Jacob Stockdale is recalled at left wing.
The 29-year-old Ulster winger, Player of the Six Nations in Ireland’s 2018 Grand Slam, makes just his third start since missing out on the 2023 World Cup, having played against Fiji last November and away to Georgia in June.
Craig Casey is promoted at scrumhalf and will start alongside his Munster halfback partner Jack Crowley, who is retained at outhalf.
Up front, Rónan Kelleher starts at hooker for the first time since the opening two games of last year’s Six Nations against England and Scotland, and Thomas Clarkson wins his ninth cap and makes his fourth Test start at tight-head.
The other change up front sees Nick Timoney chosen at openside. The 30-year-old Ulster player earned his fourth cap, and first since the Fijian game in November 2022, against Georgia in June.
Gus McCarthy, Cian Prendergast and Jimmy O’Brien are all promoted to the bench, where Paddy McCarthy, Finlay Bealham and Cian Prendergast are retained. Jack Conan and Jamison Gibson-Park move to the bench from last week’s starting line-up.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Andy Farrell said: “I have been pleased with the application and diligence of the squad this week. Since returning from Chicago on Monday morning the squad have assessed the areas we need to collectively improve upon. It will be a battle against a Japan side who play the game in a positive manner and will look to ask questions of us. From our side we will look to be sharp and implement our game-plan and we’re preparing for a big test.
“Tom (Farrell) becomes our latest debutant and his is a real Roy of the Rovers story when you look at his journey in the game to this point. Tom has worked really hard to earn the right to represent his country and I know how proud he is to be involved this weekend after knocking on the selection door for the last few seasons.”
“Saturday presents us with an opportunity to play in front of a packed Aviva Stadium. Playing at home is a privilege that we never take lightly and it’s the start of an exciting three weeks of games as we look to build momentum.”
Farrell also confirmed that Garry Ringrose, who was likely in line to start, had to step out of training on Wednesday with a hamstring twinge, while Tom Ahern may also have featured in the match day squad but for a head knock he suffered in training last Tuesday, leaving Tom Farrell to make his debut from the start rather than the bench.
“I mentioned it to the squad yesterday (Wednesday) and it was fantastic for me to do so,” said the head coach.
“To stand him up in front of his peers and tell them the story. Six years ago now, I was obviously an assistant coach under Joe (Schmidt) and we brought Tom in for training camp and he never got selected. And six years later, here we are.”
“He’s at the ripe old age of 32 but playing his best rugby and 100 per cent deserves a shot. Not just for the form that he’s shown over the last couple of seasons, but also how he’s applied himself when he’s come into camp. So, that’s been very impressive.
“But the word resilience doesn’t probably do it justice. He’s kept on fighting and fighting and fighting and he gets to make his dream come true, which is play for Ireland in his debut on Saturday.”
Farrell said the Munster centre was a quality player who’d always been “in the forefront of our minds” but had been kept out by very good competition in the position. While the 32-year-old had not done anything in particular to merit a promotion this season, having not being picked on the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal, Farrell referenced a contact session in Chicago last Saturday week.
“That’s when he’s at his best. He’s a lot stronger than what you think, he breaks the line, he runs good lines etc. And it’s those type of sessions where you see his class come through. He’s done very well, I would say the difference in experience counts a lot because how he’s come in this time round and hit the ground running has been completely different to how he would have handled it six years ago. It would have been a little bit daunting, I would have thought. His confidence has come on because of his form and he thoroughly deserves his chance.”
Farrell said a myriad of factors went into his namesake’s selection, with a four-game autumnal itinerary and the travel to and form Chicago also taken into account.
“But I suppose the lads that don’t get a chance to play this weekend, they’re the ones brimming to get back. Because coming back to Dublin on the back of a loss isn’t nice. You always want to get back on the horse.
“But at the same time, the lads that get to go on to the field this weekend, they’re the ones that have the chance to prove to the rest of them that they mean business. So, yes, I suppose everything comes into play.”
IRELAND (v Japan): J Osborne (Leinster); T O’Brien (Leinster), T Farrell (Munster), R Henshaw (Leinster), J Stockdale (Ulster); J Crowley (Munster), C Casey (Munster); A Porter (Leinster), R Kelleher (Leinster), T Clarkson (Leinster), J Ryan (Leinster), T Beirne (Munster), R Baird (Leinster), N Timoney (Ulster), C Doris (Leinster, capt)
Replacements: G McCarthy (Leinster), P McCarthy (Leinster), F Bealham (Connacht), C Prendergast (Connacht), J Conan (Leinster), C Blade (Connacht), S Prendergast (Leinster), J O’Brien (Leinster)
