Who are the FOUR debutants playing for Ireland against Japan on Saturday?

Farrell named his match day squad to take on Eddie Jones' side earlier this morning, with a thrilling clash lined-up for Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. Both Ireland and Japan are enjoying hot starts to the Nations Championship, with both the men from the Emerald Isle and the Brave Blossoms looking to build upon their respective first round victories over Australia and Italy.

Japan laid out a statement of intent upon their 27-10 dismantling of the Azzurri in Tokyo, before Ireland edged past the Wallabies in a dramatic 33-31 nail-biter in Sydney. A late try from replacement prop Thomas Clarkson leveled up the scores to 31-31 in the 77th minute, before Sam Prendergast slotted the decisive conversion, with the win only confirmed after a late missed penalty shot from Ben Donaldson of the Wallabies.

Farrell has certainly shuffled the deck for the incoming clash with Japan, with one eye cast onto the incoming challenge of facing the All Blacks at Eden Park to close out their Southern Series. So, with four uncapped talents poised and ready for their first taste of the international stage, lets take a closer look at the fresh faces Farrell is set to unleash against Eddie Jones side this Saturday.

We begin our quartet of debutants with the man selected for the starting XV, as Sean Jansen prepares to pack down the scrum against Japan this Saturday in the eight jersey. Jansen forms a new-look back-row from the side that took on Australia, with Jack Conan shifting across to the blindside flank, as Nick Timoney replaces Josh van der Flier in the seven jersey.

Sean Jansen’s inclusion is one of the tour’s most intriguing selections. The New Zealand-born back-rower has become a standout performer for Connacht, bringing relentless work-rate, abrasive carrying and breakdown intensity that perfectly suits Ireland’s forward blueprint.

Having already represented Ireland ‘A’, this call-up feels like the natural next step, particularly with injuries depleting Farrell’s back-row resources. Capable of covering both flanker and number eight, Jeansen provides valuable depth behind the established internationals. Jansen ended his provincial season as the 2025/26 Connacht Men's Player of the Year, and the in-form back row will be out to prove his might upon his Ireland call, before returning to Galway a fully-fledged Ireland international ahead of the new URC season.

Billy Bohan’s rise has been remarkably swift. The 20-year-old loosehead was parachuted into Ireland’s Six Nations squad earlier this year and has now retained Andy Farrell’s confidence for the inaugural Nations Championship following another impressive campaign with Connacht. Named on the bench behind Ulster's Tom O'Toole, Bohan is chomping at the bit for his Ireland debut, with an explosive off-the-bench involvement expected against Japan.

Grandson of former Ireland international Mick Doyle, Bohan has earned praise for his scrummaging maturity and calm temperament beyond his years. With experienced loose-head Andrew Porter sidelined through injury, and Jack Boyle also out of action for the Summer, Bohan provides cover behind Tom O'Toole. The young front row now steps up in the concussion-enforced injury absence of Jeremy Loughman, for this well-deserved debut in Newcastle.

Sam Illo has forced his way into Ireland contention through a series of powerful displays for Connacht, earning his maiden senior call-up for the Nations Championship after previously impressing for Emerging Ireland. Comfortable on either side of the scrum, Illo’s versatility is a valuable asset in a squad missing several experienced front-row options through injury.

Farrell has called upon Illo to provide cover at tight-head for the incoming match against Japan, with the 25-year-old holding down the number 18 jersey for his incoming debut for his country. Their is plenty of buzz around the West of Ireland, with Illo, along with Bohan and Jansen set to etch Connacht's mark upon the international stage as the province enjoys a hard-fought resurgence.

Farrell has consistently rewarded players capable of covering multiple positions, making Illo an ideal touring selection along with the equally versatile prop Tom O'Toole. With both O'Toole and Illo capable of holding down the loose and tight-head births, we could well see a varied front row away from the expected play-book should sudden injuries or suspensions impact the match.

Like his brother Zac, Bryn Ward joined the Ireland squad as late injury cover following Caelan Doris’ withdrawal, as Zac replaced the absent Tommy O'Brien. The 21-year-old back-rower has enjoyed a rapid ascent, progressing from Ireland Under-20s to Ireland ‘A’ before establishing himself with Ulster and winning the Young Player of the Year Award with the province.

Son of former Ireland international Andy Ward, he offers versatility across the back row and has already impressed within the national set-up during the Six Nations training camps. The younger sibling takes the bragging rights home to Ulster as the first of the brothers to earn their Ireland XV debuts, with former sevens star Zac not picked for the second round clash with Japan.

With Ireland managing several injured loose forwards, Ward’s physicality and mobility make him an excellent development option. Having set himself the goal of making five Ulster appearances for the 2025/26 URC season and continuing the grind with Ballynahinch in the AIL, Ward certainly surpassed his own expectations following a tremendous campaign with Richie Murphy's side that rightfully sees him poised for a test debut this Saturday.