Tom Farrell to make debut as Ireland team to face Japan named

Head coach Andy Farrell has made eight changes from the line-up which started last Saturday in the 26-13 defeat to New Zealand in Chicago.

Thu, 06 Nov, 2025 - 12:41

Simon Lewis

Caelan Doris will start his first Test match in eight months when he captains Ireland against Japan at Aviva Stadium this Saturday, leading a side featuring debutant centre Tom Farrell.

Head coach Andy Farrell described his namesake’s rise to Test rugby at the age of 32 as a “Roy of the Rovers story” after selecting Munster’s player of the Year for last season at outside centre alongside midfield partner Robbie Henshaw.

Initially omitted from the Ireland squad for November’s four Tests, Tom Farrell was called in as injury cover when Bundee Aki picked up a minor issue on Connacht duty.

Now he finds himself in a green jersey in front of a near sell-out Dublin crowd.

“Tom becomes our latest debutant and his is a real Roy of the Rovers story when you look at his journey in the game to this point,” Andy Farrell said on Thursday. “Tom has worked really hard to earn the right to represent his country and I know how proud he is to be involved this weekend after knocking on the selection door for the last few seasons.

“In congratulating him on his selection, I would like to wish Tom the best of luck.”

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

The head coach has made eight changes from the line-up which started last Saturday in the 26-13 defeat to New Zealand in Chicago.

Doris made a successful comeback from a more than five-month injury lay-off as a replacement in that game having undergone shoulder surgery following last May’s Champions Cup semi-final.

The Leinster skipper got through 37 minutes off the bench at Soldier Field and will now start as Ireland No.8 for the first time since last March’s Six Nations final round trip to Italy as Andy Farrell’s side bids to rebound from their All Blacks defeat in this opening Quilter Nations Series match.

Aside from Henshaw and Tom Farrell’s inclusion, Ireland have recalled Ulster’s Jacob Stockdale on the left wing for James Lowe while Craig Casey is promoted to start at scrum-half as Jamison Gibson-Park is rested with Ireland’s summer tour captain forming an all-Munster half-back partnership with retained fly-half Jack Crowley.

In the forward pack there is a change at tighthead prop with Thomas Clarkson in for Tadhg Furlong, while Doris replaces Jack Conan at No.8 and Nick Timoney is handed the openside flanker role as Josh van der Flier sits out.

Also getting opportunities from the bench are hooker Gus McCarthy, back-rower Cian Prendergast, scrum-half Caolin Blade while there is the chance of a home debut for loosehead prop Paddy McCarthy following his first cap against the All Blacks seven days earlier.

Farrell said: “I have been pleased with the application and diligence of the squad this week. Since returning from Chicago on Monday morning the squad have assessed the areas we need to collectively improve upon.

"It will be a battle against a Japan side who play the game in a positive manner and will look to ask questions of us. From our side we will look to be sharp and implement our game-plan and we’re preparing for a big test."