Tadhg Beirne will captain Ireland for the first time as head coach Andy Farrell makes sweeping changes for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Japan at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia.
Farrell has handed debuts to four players — Sean Jansen, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo, and Bryn Ward — and made nine changes to the side that beat Australia 33-31 in Sydney on 4 July. Jansen, a 27-year-old back row who scored 12 tries for Connacht this season, starts at number 8. Ciaran Frawley makes his first Test start at out-half, while Rónan Kelleher earns his 50th cap.
Prop Jeremy Loughman has been ruled out with concussion. Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty acknowledged the squad has inaccuracies that need improvement following the narrow victory over the Wallabies. Japan enter the fixture after defeating Italy 27-10 in Tokyo.