Ireland v Japan: Kick-off time, TV details and team news

Ireland and Japan will go head-to-head this Saturday with both sides hoping to bounce back after their defeats last weekend.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Ireland take on Japan in the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ireland return to Dublin for their second clash of the Autumn Nations Series when they welcome Japan to the Aviva Stadium. Ireland will be looking to get back on track after their defeat to New Zealand last Saturday in Chicago.

It was a tight clash between Ireland and the All Black until the last quarter when Scott Robertsons' side took the lead for the first time and ran out 13 point winners.

This is the first time Japan have been to Dublin since 2021. Ireland have played the Brave Blossoms 13 times claiming 12 wins and losing one. 

Japan arrived in Dublin in June 2021 after covid restrictions were eased with 3000 fans in the stadium. The lead in that game changed hands seven times in a clash with nine tries with Ireland winning 39-31.

The Brave Blossoms returned again that November as Johnny Sexton won his 100th cap and Ireland running out 60-5 winners. 

Japan come into this fixture off the back of a heavy defeat to South Africa 61-7 last Satruday at Wembley Stadium.

Ireland will be looking to get up and running with a win on home soil while Japan will be looking to upset the party for Andy Farrells' side.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the clash.

Where is the game being played?

This is the first of three games Ireland will play in the Aviva Stadium for the Autumn Nations Series. 

What time is kick-off?

The game kicks-off at 12.40pm on Saturday November 8.

Where to watch?

RTÉ 2 and TNT Sports 3 will be showing the game live while, as ever, The Irish Examiner will have a liveblog providing updates on the best of the action as it happens.

Who is the referee?

Gianluca Gnecchi will be the man in the middle for the clash with an all Italian team. Andrea Piardi and Federico Vedovelli will run the line with Matteo Liperini in the TMO hotseat.

Team news

Stuart McCloskey has emerged as Ireland’s only injury doubt ahead of this Saturday’s home Quilter Nations Series clash with Japan following the journey home from defeat in Chicago.

The centre had been forced off with a groin injury on 56 minutes at Soldier Field following an impressive outing against New Zealand last Saturday and following touchdown in Dublin on Monday morning was rated a doubt for this Saturday’s home November opener.

There was a positive update on Ireland captain Caelan Doris who successfully came through his first match since a serious shoulder injury sustained in May. Doris came off the bench in Chicago, initially to cover James Ryan’s temporary absence for a Head Injury Assessment on 33 minutes, and then to replace Jack Conan at No.8 after 51 minutes.

Head coach Andy Farrell is set to name his team to face Eddie Jones’s Japanese on Thursday afternoon with the IRFU announcing ticket sales of more than 49,600 for the 12:40pm kick-off at Aviva Stadium, as of Monday. Simon Lewis

What can I read about and listen to on IrishExaminer.com?

You can follow the lead up to the game from our reporters on IrishExaminer.com. Listen to Brendan O'Brien who was joined by Joe Callaghan from Soldier Field in the moments after the sides' hard-fought test.