Ireland wary of Japan’s ‘player of the future’ Ryunosuke Ito

TALENT: Ryunosuke Ito was key to Japan’s win against Italy.

He might still be playing at university, but Ryunosuke Ito has already caught the eye of Ireland’s brains trust ahead of Saturday’s second match in the new Nations Championship. 

The 21-year-old playmaker enjoyed an incredible debut for Japan last weekend, guiding the Brave Blossoms to an outstanding 27-10 victory over Italy in just his second professional game.

Italian coach and former Argentina playmaker Gonzalo Quesada called Ito "a player of the future".

"Ito being so young, coming from university level and playing his first Test match, we thought it could be a bit tough for him," he said. "I think he showed a lot of character. We have been analysing him and I think he is a really interesting player."

Ireland utility back Jimmy O’Brien said Japan would once again pose them some challenges and identified the playmaker as someone they would have to watch on Saturday in Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney.

“Yeah, they're very good attack, good at moving the ball,” he said. “They've actually a lot of good kickers as well across the back line. They all like putting in little kicks, so it'll be a great test for our back-field and our defence I think.

“Especially that ‘10’ that played the last day, he looked very good, very sharp. So yeah, it'll be a big test.” 

O’Brien once again proved himself a valuable member of the Irish side last weekend as he slotted in on the wing following Robert Baloucoune's late withdrawal.

The flying winger was a late scratching because of a hamstring and remains in doubt for the clash against the world No.12 Brave Blossoms.

After a frustrating couple of years since the 2023 World Cup, O’Brien said he was thrilled to run out against the Wallabies.

“It was probably one of the bigger games I've played in the last couple of years,” he said.

“I probably did well in that World Cup game, but then injuries every year and being in and out of form. So I was delighted to play.” 

O’Brien added that it was particularly satisfying to contribute after being left out of the Champions Cup and URC final.

“I was bitterly disappointed to miss out in the Champions Cup and the URC final,” O’Brien said candidly.

After the opening weekend of the Nations Championship continued the frenetic and expansive finish to the domestic competitions around the world, O’Brien added that he expected the new-found desire to attack to continue, especially with sides increasingly kicking to regain possession rather than for territory.

“I don't know if there's less kicking, probably less long kicking,” he said. “I think it's all contestable now coming from the European Champions Cup and that game of the weekend, it's a lot of short kicking.” 

He added that he thought the way the game was being played at present promoted attack over defence.

"I think once you kick those short contestable [kicks], defensive teams are usually all over the place so you can win it back," he said. "It promotes attack and you can be on the front foot."