| Ireland (19) 39 |
| Tries: Farrell, McCloskey, Bealham, van der Flier, Stockdale Cons: Carbery 4 Pens: Carbery 2 |
| Japan (17) 31 |
| Tries: Leitch, Lafaele, Fifita, Saito Cons: Tamura 4 Pen: Tamura |
Ireland came out on top of a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest against a relentlessly creative Japan in Dublin.
The 3,000 fans returning to the Aviva Stadium for the first time since February 2020 were treated to nine tries in a game where attack beat defence at almost every turn.
While the scoreline reflected shortcomings in both teams, there was much to enjoy as Ireland’s more clinical display saw them deservedly take the win.
Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey and Finlay Bealham scored the hosts’ first half tries with Josh van der Flier and Jacob Stockdale extending their lead after the break.
Joey Carbery, on his first Ireland appearance since their World Cup quarter-final defeat, played the full 80 minutes and kicked 14 points on a pleasing return to the international fold with Munster team-mate Gavin Coombes coming off the bench to make his debut.
Japan, and their seemingly endless box of tricks, scored four tries but faded in the final quarter of the game, allowing Ireland to manage the conclusion of the contest.
Small margins favour scrappy Ireland
Despite going 20 months without a competitive fixture, Japan’s desire to play fast-paced, adventurous rugby has not waned since they won the hearts of their own nation and countless others around the globe at the 2019 World Cup.
The variety and intent brought back memories of that famous win over Ireland when the sides met in Shizuoka. However, in Dublin, their accuracy fell short at times, with Ireland also guilty of too many unforced errors and a high penalty count in a scrappy but entertaining contest.
Farrell crashed over from five metres for the opener before Ireland misread the Japanese restart, coughing up a penalty that resulted in Michael Leitch going over from a line-out maul.
Six minutes later a brilliant Japan move ended with Timothy Lafaele running under the posts from a beautiful line, only for the score to be chalked off due to Yu Tamura nudging the final pass forward.
Ireland, too, played some enjoyable rugby with their second try coming off a well-executed move that unleashed Hugo Keenan with Peter O’Mahony taking over to provide a one-handed offload for McCloskey to stay inbounds and touch down.
Another botched restart nearly saw Ireland again instantly surrender their lead but Tamura’s penalty came off the upright. That was before Japan turned on the flair once more, with Siosaia Fifita collecting Tamura’s dink across the field to feed Lafaele who stepped and scored.
The Irish were struggling to find a rhythm, with the line-out that was so dominant in the Six Nations malfunctioning. But they were rewarded for smart, direct play with the last act of the half as Bealham’s score put the hosts two points ahead at the break.
Japan tire in final quarter
To the delight of any neutral watching, the interval did not break up the flow of the contest with Japan striking in style four minutes after the restart, catching Ireland napping on the short side before a deft Tamura grubber kick bounced perfectly for Fifita to slide in.
Once again Ireland’s response was swift and direct, as they continued to carry up the middle with Jamison Gibson-Park sniping to within two metres of the line allowing Van der Flier to pick-and-go for the score.
When Stockdale went over in the corner three minutes later to finally give the hosts breathing space it looked as though Japan might have ran out of steam, only for the visitors to capitalise on a loose Carbery kick to flood the Irish blindside, sending Naoto Saito through and move within just two points.
However, after that score the visitors lost their edge, as Ireland dominated the final 20 minutes with two Carbery penalties taking them into a two-score lead and denying Japan the incentive to throw caution to the wind one last time.
Ireland will now turn their attentions to the USA next weekend, where numerous players are expected to make their international debut in front of 6,000 fans.
Ireland: Keenan; Stockdale, Farrell, McCloskey, Larmour; Carbery, Gibson-Park; Kilcoyne, Kelleher, Bealham, Ja Ryan (capt), Dillane, O’Mahony, Van der Flier, Doris.
Replacements: Herring, E Byrne, Jo Ryan, Baird, Coombes, Casey, Burns, Daly.
Japan: Matsushima; Masirewa, Lafaele, Nakamura, Fifita; Tamura, Saito; Inagaki, Sakate, Koo, Van der Walt, Moore, Leitch (capt), Labuschagne, Himeno.
Replacements: Horikoshi, Millar, Ai Valu, Cornelsen, Tatafu, Shigeno, Matsuda, Gates.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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