Ireland Seek Redemption Against Japan at Aviva Stadium
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Ireland will aim to rebound from a narrow defeat to New Zealand when they host Japan at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, November 8th, as part of the Autumn Nations Series. The highly anticipated match offers a chance for Andy Farrell’s side to regain momentum after a hard-fought contest in Chicago.
Ireland suffered a 13-point loss to the All Blacks last Saturday, a game that remained tightly contested until the final quarter when Scott Robertson’s team seized control. Despite the setback, the Irish squad returns to familiar territory, seeking a positive result on home soil.
This marks Japan’s first visit to Dublin since 2021. Historically, the Ireland-Japan rivalry has been heavily favored towards the Irish, with 12 wins in 13 encounters. Their most recent meeting in Dublin, in November 2021, saw Ireland secure a dominant 60-5 victory, a match that also celebrated Johnny Sexton’s 100th cap.
Prior to that, in June 2021, Ireland edged out Japan 39-31 in a thrilling match played in front of 3,000 fans following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. That game featured a remarkable seven lead changes and a combined nine tries, showcasing Japan’s attacking prowess. However, the Brave Blossoms enter this fixture following a significant 61-7 defeat to South Africa at Wembley Stadium last Saturday.
The Irish will be looking to secure their first win of the Autumn Nations Series, while Japan will be determined to cause an upset against Farrell’s team. Over 49,600 tickets have already been sold for the 12:40 PM kick-off at the Aviva Stadium, signaling strong fan support.
Match Details & Viewing Information
The game will be the first of three scheduled for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium during the Autumn Nations Series. Fans can watch the match live on RTÉ 2 and TNT Sports 3. For those following online, The Irish Examiner will provide a comprehensive liveblog with real-time updates throughout the game.
Officials Announced
Gianluca Gnecchi will take charge of the match as the lead referee, supported by an all-Italian officiating team. Andrea Piardi and Federico Vedovelli will serve as assistant referees, with Matteo Liperini appointed as the Television Match Official (TMO).
Team News & Injury Updates
Currently, Stuart McCloskey is the only confirmed injury concern for Ireland ahead of Saturday’s match. The center sustained a groin injury during the 56th minute of the game against New Zealand and is considered doubtful following assessment upon the team’s return to Dublin on Monday.
There was encouraging news regarding Ireland captain Caelan Doris, who successfully participated in his first match since recovering from a serious shoulder injury sustained in May. Doris made an appearance off the bench in Chicago, initially covering for James Ryan during a Head Injury Assessment and later replacing Jack Conan at No.8.
Head coach Andy Farrell is expected to announce the full team lineup to face Eddie Jones’s Japan on Thursday afternoon.
Further Coverage on IrishExaminer.com
Fans can stay up-to-date with the latest news and analysis leading up to the game on IrishExaminer.com. Listen to insights from Brendan O’Brien, who was joined by Joe Callaghan from Soldier Field immediately after the Ireland-New Zealand test.
