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Japan dreams of Shizuoka Shock to match Brighton Miracle
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7.44am BST
Ireland: Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Chris Farrell, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Carty, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, James Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander.
Replacements: Sean Cronin, David Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Tadh Beirne, Rhys Ruddock, Luke McGrath, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour.
12.11pm BST
This is where the test of Japan’s credentials really starts then. After dispatching Russia in empowering but ultimately expected fashion the second best team in the world are in town to ruin the dreams of the Brave Blossoms. Jamie Joseph’s men have enjoyed a seven-day turnaround never usually reserved for the second tier sides at a World Cup and will have needed every minute to prepare for Joe Schmidt’s side.
Perhaps a grain of hope can be found for Japan in that they are not facing an Ireland team able to draw on the talents of their world class fly-half, Johnny Sexton. Jack Carty will start at ten as Ireland make four changes to the side that brushed off Scotland. Although, that they could make such light work of of their Six Nations rivals without the need for Sexton to kick rom early in the first half is ominous. Continue reading...