Ireland face Japan in the second week of Nations Championship action, with both teams coming off opening weekend wins.
Andy Farrell's Ireland were fortuitous 33-31 winners against Australia, while the Brave Blossoms deservedly got the better of Italy 27-10.
Eddie Jones was banned from the coaches' box for that game in Tokyo but returns now as his side head to Newcastle, a couple of hours north of Sydney, to square up against old adversary Farrell.
Ireland have made sweeping changes to their starting XV, perhaps with one eye on facing New Zealand at Eden Park next weekend, while Japan once more have university student Ryunosuke Ito starting at fly-half for his second cap.
Japan v Ireland Tips Summary
Best Bet – Japan +20.5 points @ 4/5
Alternative Bet – Stuart McCloskey to score a try @ 6/4
Bet Builder – Jacob Stockdale to score a try & Warner Dearns to score a try @ 17/2
Japan v Ireland Prediction
Best Bet – Japan +20.5 points @ 4/5
Jones is already perturbed that Japan don't have home advantage for this contest. The experienced Australian has just served a ban but returns to the coaches' box in Newcastle, where this game is being played, as it was felt Ireland having to go from Australia to Tokyo and then back to New Zealand for next week was too much of a travel burden.
That didn't sit too well with Jones and the former England boss has suggested the likelihood of some debutants being introduced as replacements for Ireland will give his team something to aim at.
Jones suggested that "we expect to dominate the Irish scrum" in the second half as Connacht props Billy Bohan, 20, and Sam Illo, 25, are set for Test debuts and Tom Stewart is in line for his fifth cap at hooker.
"In the first and second half, especially, we expect to dominate in all areas of the game," was Farrell's response as he insisted: "I know what he's trying to do" when considering Jones' comments.
Japan's win over Italy suggests they will be competitive throughout against a much-changed Irish line-up.
The pair's November 2025 clash in Dublin ended 41-10, though Ireland scored 14 points in the final 10 minutes.
Japan can stick close enough to this Irish side to remain within 20 points.
Alternative Bet – Stuart McCloskey to score a try @ 6/4
Stuart McCloskey partners Robbie Henshaw in the centres for Ireland and the pair bring plenty of big-game experience.
McCloskey has signed a new IRFU deal that takes him into the other side of next year's World Cup and is buoyed by having secured that extension.
The Ulsterman has been one of Ireland's standout performers in 2026 and has good summer vibes, having scored July tries against Georgia and Portugal in this month last year.
Japan v Ireland Bet Builder Tip
Jacob Stockdale to score a try
Warner Dearns to score a try
Pays 17/2
Jacob Stockdale's Ireland career has not quite gone the way expected after his then-record seven tries in the Grand Slam-winning Six Nations of 2018, which earned the Ulster wing the Player of the Championship award.
Injuries and loss of form have contributed, as has the presence of James Lowe, Hugo Keenan and others in green jersey.
Stockdale, 30, is now back in the fold and starts on the left wing on Saturday.
There is more to his game now than just scoring tries from a kick-and-chase down the wing, and he provides a consistent line-breaking threat when coming in off the touchline.
He is Ireland's sixth-highest tryscorer of all time and can seize his chance here.
Japan skipper Warner Dearns touched down against Italy last week and the second row will be a threat again, particularly if Jones' assertion that his side can dominate when Ireland make changes rings true.
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Key Match Stats
Ireland have won seven of the eight Test match meetings with Japan, most recently 41-10 at the Aviva Stadium in November 2025
Japan's lone success was a 19-12 shock on home soil during the pool stage of the 2019 World Cup
Ireland came from 24-12 down to beat Australia 33-31 in Sydney last weekend
Japan beat Italy 27-10 in Tokyo, ending a five-game losing streak against Tier 1 opponents
Takuya Matsunaga scored 17 of Japan's 27 points against the Azzurri, including a first-half try
Of Ireland's five tryscorers from their win over Australia, only Tom Clarkson is in the matchday squad for Saturday
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
