Tadhg Beirne red card appeal a 'distraction' admits Andy Farrell

The red card was rescinded by an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday night, much to Beirne and Andy Farrell’s relief but the head coach on Thursday revealed it had disrupted preparations for the weekend.

DISTRACTION: Tadhg Beirne training with Ireland after his red card was overturned. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

It was not the most eye-catching selection given the romance of Tom Farrell’s belated Ireland first cap and the return to the starting back row of captain Caelan Doris but Tadhg Beirne’s retention in the second row to face Japan in Dublin this Saturday capped a rollercoaster week for the Munster captain.

It is an Ireland side showing eight changes from last Saturday’s 26-13 defeat to New Zealand in Chicago, with Tom Farrell set to partner Robbie Henshaw in midfield at Aviva Stadium for a debut aged 32.