Ireland player ratings vs Japan: Nations Championship

Saturday, 11 July 2026 at 13:07

byTom Sansom

Ireland player ratings vs Japan: Andy Farrell's men edge to narrow win to make it two from two in the Nations Championship.
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Japan raced out of the blocks when an overthrown Irish line-out fell kindly for wing Main Taira, who raced clear for a solo try after just three minutes. Ireland responded almost immediately through Nick Timoney, who powered over from close range after sustained pressure.

The lead continued to change hands as Takuro Matsunaga and Tom O'Toole traded scores before the Japanese fly-half's second penalty edged his side back in front. Ireland had the final say of the half, with Robbie Henshaw bursting onto the ball to score and hand the visitors a narrow lead at the break.

Sean Jansen marked his Ireland debut with a try early in the second half, but Eddie Jones' replacements sparked a response as substitute hooker Era crossed before the hour. Harry Byrne's penalty restored Ireland's cushion before replacement hooker Tom Stewart crossed with the final play to seal the win after Japan faded with 14 men.

Scroll down for Ireland player ratings vs Japan.

Japan 20-29 Ireland

Half-time: Japan 13-19 Ireland
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium

Japan

Tries: Taira (3’), Era (58’)
Conversions: Matsunaga (4’, 59’)
Penalties: Matsunaga (17’, 27’)

Ireland

Tries: Timoney (8’), O’Toole (20’), Henshaw (34’), Jansen (50’)
Conversions: Frawley (9’, 35’, 50’)
Penalty: Byrne (70’)

Ireland player ratings vs Japan.

15 Jamie Osborne – 6

Plenty of expectation surrounded the versatile Jamie Osborne in the No.15 jersey after Hugo Keenan's barnstorming performance against Australia last week. He saved Ciaran Frawley from an early embarrassment by sweeping up a loose pass and provided good coverage in the backfield, with some thumping clearances into touch. However, it was a slow start from the Leinster man, whose fiery URC form did not transfer to Newcastle today.

14 Jimmy O'Brien – 5.5

It was a poor start for the Leinster wing, as Jimmy O'Brien was left wrong-footed in defence when Main Taira skipped beyond him for Japan's opening try. However, O'Brien was quick to rectify the mistake, bringing brief sparks down the right touchline despite Ireland's quieter attacking effort in the first half. He also delivered a thumping tackle seven minutes into the second half to force a knock-on.

13 Robbie Henshaw – 7.5

The once first-choice Ireland outside centre was rotated into the starting XV this week, with the depth in midfield handing him a rare chance to shine. Henshaw showcased his impressive speed over the gain line for his try just before half-time, finishing strongly for Ireland's third score of the afternoon.

He handed Andy Farrell a much-needed reminder of his talents a year out from the World Cup as he continues to return to his very best. Henshaw put in several solid hits throughout the second half and was the standout performer in the starting backline, producing a superb turnover at the breakdown in the 66th minute.

12 Stuart McCloskey – 5.5 (OFF 48')

After a solid performance against Australia, Stuart McCloskey looked to rediscover his Six Nations form as he retained his starting place. However, he endured a difficult first half against the Brave Blossoms, conceding a 16th-minute penalty for what looked a harsh challenge on the scrum-half at the back of a ruck.

He was then penalised for being offside in the 26th minute, gifting Japan back-to-back penalties. McCloskey still provided his usual power over the gain line to offset some of his defensive setbacks before making way early ahead of next week's clash with the All Blacks.

11 Jacob Stockdale – 5.5 (OFF 60')

The Ulster wing was one of several fringe players handed an opportunity to impress as Andy Farrell shuffled his side. He did well to win a penalty while chasing a kick after a Japan player obstructed his path.

It was a quieter first half than he would have hoped for given the opportunity, although he defended well as Japan peppered his wing with deep kicks.

10 Ciaran Frawley – 5.5

Handed his first Test start at fly-half after biding his time with the utmost patience, the former Leinster, now Connacht, playmaker had plenty to prove after 18 months in the international wilderness.

He looked capable and confident with ball in hand, but several early touch-finders failed to find their mark, while he also missed his opening two conversions. Frawley slipped in defence for Japan's opening try, compounding Ireland's nightmare start.

To his credit, he settled into the game as Ireland improved, growing in confidence as the match progressed. He later shifted to the wing when Harry Byrne came on at fly-half and looked comfortable enough out wide, but it was ultimately a mixed afternoon for the man in the spotlight.

9 Craig Casey – 5.5 (OFF 71')

Craig Casey stepped in at scrum-half with Jamison Gibson-Park rested and had plenty to prove with Nathan Doak pushing for opportunities. The new half-back pairing alongside Ciaran Frawley showed understandable teething problems during the opening exchanges.

Casey produced a couple of poor kicks to touch, including a 15th-minute effort that flew out on the full. He also squandered a promising attack late in the first half by sending a pass to the blindside despite Ireland having numbers on the open side, resulting in a turnover.

He made amends with a superb try-saving tackle on Greene in the 55th minute, celebrating with a cathartic roar. Like Frawley, Casey improved as Ireland grew into the contest, although the bizarre lineout move in the 68th minute simply handed possession back to Japan.

1 Tom O'Toole – 5.5 (OFF 55')

The versatile prop retained his place on the loosehead side of the scrum and was expected to provide experience alongside the debutants. He made a strong start, driving beyond Takeuchi to win a scrum penalty in the 12th minute.

However, the momentum quickly swung the other way as he was folded by the Japan tighthead at the very next scrum. O'Toole responded with Ireland's first try in the 20th minute after powering over from close range. Another scrum collapse early in the second half highlighted Japan's growing dominance, and he was withdrawn after Ireland conceded yet another scrum penalty on a difficult evening.

2 Ronan Kelleher – 4 (OFF 60')

A significant occasion for the Leinster hooker, who earned his 50th Test cap for Ireland. Unfortunately, it began in nightmare fashion as an overthrown lineout missed James Ryan completely and fell straight into Japanese hands for the opening try.

His frustrations continued when his 23rd-minute throw failed to go straight, summing up Ireland's struggles at the set-piece. Kelleher remained busy around the field with his carrying, but the lineout issues persisted throughout the second half in what proved an arduous afternoon.

3 Thomas Clarkson – 4.5 (OFF 47')

Last week's match-winner retained his place after scoring against Australia. Ireland's scrum struggled from the outset as Japan made it clear they would not be overpowered.

Clarkson worked hard around the field, producing several solid carries and a couple of neat tip-on passes, but he failed to establish any dominance at scrum time and became the first Irish forward replaced in the second half.

4 Tadhg Beirne (c) – 7

A milestone occasion for the Munster man, who was handed his first opportunity to captain Ireland with Caelan Doris injured and Dan Sheehan rested this week. He fought for every inch while wearing the armband and played a key role in the rolling maul that led to Robbie Henshaw's try.

Beirne was his usual menace at the breakdown, making Japan fight for every ruck as he looked to lift Ireland's flat performance with an impressive tackle count. He was over the ball again in the 46th minute, winning a crucial turnover close to Ireland's try-line.

5 James Ryan – 5.5

Ryan retained his place in the second row despite an underwhelming performance against Australia, with all eyes on Ireland's lineout after last week's struggles.

The set-piece endured another poor start as Ryan failed to gather the opening throw, allowing Japan to capitalise through Taira. The lineout problems continued throughout the match, although one infringement in the 13th minute appeared to go unnoticed by the officials.

It was an unusually flat performance from Ireland's front five, with Beirne the clear exception. Ryan improved around the field after the break, but the continued set-piece issues dragged his rating down. A knock-on with the try-line beckoning summed up a frustrating afternoon.

6 Jack Conan – 8 (OFF 60')

The Leinster bruiser again showcased his versatility by moving from No.8 to the blindside flank.

As the most experienced member of the back row, Conan barked instructions throughout and helped bring the best out of debutant Sean Jansen. He produced excellent work at the breakdown with turnovers in the 22nd and 30th minutes, highlighting his strengths over the ball.

Ireland's back row was arguably the brightest part of an otherwise flat performance, with Conan working tirelessly to inject some energy.

7 Nick Timoney – 7

The in-form Ulster flanker was promoted into the starting XV with Josh van der Flier rotated out.

He made an outstanding start, powering over for his seventh international try in the eighth minute to spark Ireland's response after their early setback. Timoney later ignited the afterburners with a brilliant break downfield before finding Sean Jansen in support.

Once again, he was one of Ireland's standout performers.

8 Sean Jansen – 8 (OFF 60')

The sole debutant in the starting XV, the New Zealand-born forward arrived with plenty of excitement surrounding the Connacht man. He announced himself with a thumping early tackle on Main Taira, showing no signs of debut nerves. Thunderous carries across the gain-line saw him make his mark on both sides of the ball.

He then showcased impressive pace to support Nick Timoney on a line break, only to be brought down just short. He continued to carry strongly after the break, before the dream debut became reality when the Connacht Player of the Year muscled over from close range for his first Ireland try. A thoroughly deserved Player of the Match display, finishing with 12 carries in an outstanding Test debut.

Replacements

16 Tom Stewart – 5.5 (ON 60')

On at the hour mark with then unenviable task of improving the Irish set-piece, following a series of struggles at the scrum and line-out. Question marks raised upon his 68th minute line-out error, with a throw not going 5 metres to Craig Casey hand a needless turnover back to Japan. The line-out quarms continued, with messy line-outs not getting much better with the replacement hooker. However, his late try was a much needed lift for Ireland as he found space well on a nice line.

17 Billy Bohan – 6 (ON 55')

One of three Ireland debutants named on the bench, alongside Connacht teammate Sam Illo. Entered with the task of tightening up the scrum on 55 minutes, although it was a difficult introduction against an increasingly fired-up Japanese pack.

18 Sam Illo – 6.5 (ON 47')

There was plenty of excitement surrounding the Connacht prop, who can cover both sides of the scrum and was handed his Ireland debut.

The replacements immediately lifted Ireland's tempo, with Illo among those providing fresh energy. However, he later came under pressure at scrum time as Tamefusa got the better of him in the 54th minute.

19 Cormac Izuchukwu – 5 (ON 60')

Came on for the impressive Jack Conan with plenty to prove. He struggled to make a major impact as Ireland's lineout issues continued throughout the second half, although the Ulster forward did produce a couple of strong carries.

He also won an important turnover on the ground in the 73rd minute.

20 Bryn Ward – 6 (ON 60')

A late call-up into the Ireland squad after not initially being named in the training camp, earning his chance following Caelan Doris' foot injury in the URC final.

He found himself isolated on his first carry from the back of a scrum and conceded a penalty for holding on, but settled into the game afterwards.

21 Nathan Doak – 5 (ON 71')

Handed the final nine minutes, with the Ulster scrum-half once again restricted to a brief cameo in the green jersey.

22 Harry Byrne – 6 (ON 60')

Introduced at fly-half as Andy Farrell reshuffled his backline, moving Ciaran Frawley out to the wing.

Byrne calmly slotted a penalty to extend Ireland's lead as Japan threatened to close the gap late on.

23 Bundee Aki – 7 (ON 47')

The experienced Connacht centre made an immediate impact, charging through the Japanese defence with a trademark thunderous carry.

Ireland looked noticeably sharper after his introduction, providing a much-needed spark to an otherwise flat backline, with Robbie Henshaw the only starter to consistently threaten beforehand.