Ireland vs Japan Prediction: Brave Blossom to hang in

The second weekend of November Internationals sees Ireland return to terra firma after eventually being blown over by the All Blacks in the Windy City last Saturday. Andy Farrell's side are back at the Aviva Stadium with Japan in Dublin (kick-off 12.40, live on TNT Sports 3) for the first of a three-game home stand for Ireland that will bring Australia and South Africa next.

The Springboks took Japan apart in London a week ago and Ireland will be expecting a handsome home success against the Brave Blossoms. Below are my Ireland vs Japan predictions as well as all the essential team news and match odds for the Quilter Nations Series clash.

Team News

Andy Farrell has made eight changes from the team that lost to New Zealand in Chicago. Captain Caelan Doris starts at No 8, while Munster's Tom Farrell will make his Test debut at the age of 32 in a midfield partnership alongside Robbie Henshaw.

Jack Crowley retains the out-half slot with Craig Casey alongside, while Jamie Osborne, Tommy O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale form the back three.

Ireland's front row is made up of Andrew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Thomas Clarkson, with James Ryan and Tadhg Beirne in the engine room, the latter free to play after last weekend's red card was rescinded. Ryan Baird and Nick Timoney join Doris in the back row.

Japan were dealt a harsh lesson in their 61-7 loss against the Springboks. Boss Eddie Jones has recalled Toulouse-based Naoto Saito at scrum-half where he partners Seungsin Lee at No 10.

The back row sees one change with Faulua Makisi coming in, while in the second row, Epineri Uluiviti comes in and starts alongside captain Warner Dearns.

Ireland vs Japan Odds

England are the 1/28 favourites, while Fiji are 10/1 underdogs to claim another scalp at Rugby HQ.

A draw at Allianz Stadium is currently available 28/1.

Japan +43 points @ 8/13

Creativity continues to be a problem for this Ireland side. There is little doubt it should function better faced with a drop in class against Japan, but expecting the hosts to demolish Jones' side in the same way the Springboks did could be folly.

South Africa ran in nine tries in London last weekend but this much-changed Irish line-up may not match that sort of tally.

O'Brien, Clarkson and Timoney can count just 15 Test caps between them, while Tom Farrell wins his first at the tender age of 32.

Skipper Doris starts for the first time in more than six months and Stockdale earns only his fifth cap since a 2021 meeting with Japan here.

Boss Farrell was fairly scathing in his assessment of the defeat to New Zealand, suggesting Ireland's reaction 'wasn't one of fight' in the second half before encouraging his side to 'get back on the horse' now.

Japan are under pressure of their own with ranking points needed ahead of next month's World Cup draw if they are to get inside the top 12 and they may end up making this more of a scrap than the odds imply.

Ireland have covered a 43-point handicap only once in seven previous meetings.

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