Irish Rugby

Image source, Getty Images

Nick Timoney says "a more measured approach" has improved his performances for Ulster and Ireland.

Timoney scored Ireland's second try in the 41-10 win over Japan in Dublin on Saturday.

Despite a number of standout performances for Ulster, Timoney has only won five caps since making his debut in 2021 with Ireland's depth in the back row.

"I'm a bit more settled and a bit more mature," said Timoney when asked how he has changed since his first call-up into an Ireland squad.

"If you asked Andy [Farrell, Ireland's head coach] and he answered honestly, he would probably say I was a bit desperate for it all when I first came in.

"Not that I'm not as enthusiastic as ever but I have a more measured approach to it now.

"I hope I am a better and most consistent player because of that."

Ireland held a 17-10 lead against Japan at half-time, but Eddie Jones' side were the more impressive team in the opening 40 minutes.

However, Ireland rallied and raced clear in the closing stages of the game as Japan started to tire.

"There were elements of the first half that didn't go entirely to plan," Timoney added.

"But our ability to maintain composure and finish the game quite strongly was quite pleasing.

"I enjoyed myself. I felt lucky to be back in a green jersey and I was determined to enjoy it as best I could."

With further Tests against Australia and South Africa to come, the 30-year-old said it would be "amazing" if he could add further caps in November.

"I would love it so much but who knows?" he said.

"I've made a commitment not to be too hung up on selections and stuff, but I'm sure if I'm hopefully here next Saturday I would be incredibly excited and honoured to be involved.

"But we'll have to see how that goes."

Image source, Getty Images

After a loss against New Zealand in Chicago last weekend, Ireland are back on home turf to take on Japan in Dublin.

Andy Farrell's side will expect to get back on track against the Brave Blossoms, although they have had trouble with this particular opponent before.

What was then Joe Schmidt's team were beaten 19-12 in one of the great World Cup upsets six years ago. That, however, is Japan's only win in the fixture.

How will things play out this time around?

You can follow live audio coverage of the game on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds.

Presenter Orla Bannon will be joined in the studio by former Ireland internationals Robbie Diack and Claire Small with Jim Neilly and Ian Humphreys in the commentary booth.

The BBC Sport website and app will have live text commentary, as well as all the reaction after the final whistle.

Line-ups and officials

Ireland: J Osborne; T O'Brien, T Farrell , R Henshaw, J Stockdale; J Crowley, C Casey; A Porter, R Kelleher, T Clarkson; J Ryan, T Beirne; R Baird , N Timoney, C Doris (capt)

Replacements: G McCarthy, P McCarthy, F Bealham, C Prendergast, J Conan, C Blade, S Prendergast, J O'Brien.

Japan: Y Yoshitaka Yazaki; K Ishida, D Riley, C Lawrence, T Osada; S Lee, N Saito; K Kobayashi, K Sato, S Takeuchi; E Uluiviti, W Dearns; B Gunter, K Shimokawa, F Makisi.

Replacements: S Hirao, R Iwaihara, K Tamefusa, J Cornelsen, M Leitch, S Fujiwara, S Komura, Y Hirose.

Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (ITA)

Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (ITA), Federico Vedovelli (ITA)

Television Match Official: Matteo Liperini (ITA)

Foul Play Review Officer: Eric Gauzins (ITA)

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland prop Andrew Porter says his side are taking inspiration from their 60-5 win against Japan in 2021 as they look to kick-start their autumn campaign against the same opposition on Saturday.

Andy Farrell's side are looking for a reaction at the Aviva Stadium after their disappointing 26-13 defeat against New Zealand in Chicago last weekend.

Porter explained that Ireland were looking back at that big win over Japan four years ago that set them up for the success that has since followed under Farrell.

"It was a bit of springboard and was a step in the right direction," Porter said of the win in which Johnny Sexton contributed 16 points on his 100th Ireland cap.

"We were looking back to it and how good that cohesion was. It felt like everything clicked that day and, in that series, and that's what we're trying to do now after game one, we want to get that feeling back."

Porter said that having reviewed the game against the All Blacks there were "snippets" of what Ireland can do but it ultimately "wasn't the account we wanted to give of ourselves".

He hopes Ireland can respond against a Japan side that were thrashed 61-7 by South Africa last weekend.

"They're a really well organised unit. Against South Africa, it didn't go the way they wanted but they're still a great attacking threat and have a good set piece, so we won't be taking them lightly or will be complacent about it at all," he added.

"The worst thing you can do is underestimate them and we won't be doing that. "

Image source, Getty Images

Shayne Bolton says he has "no regrets" about leaving South Africa for Connacht as he prepares to take on Spain in Leganes as part of an Ireland XV on Saturday (16:00 GMT).

The 25-year-old winger was born in South Africa, but qualifies for Ireland though this grandmother.

Professional rugby had always been a big ambition, but with opportunities at home thin on the ground, he opted to take the plunge in Ireland which he says "worked out how I hoped and more".

Bolton made his test debut in the summer win against Portugal when scoring two tries and is delighted to have another opportunity to impress this week.

"I only had a two-year contact out of school with the Cheetahs and they didn't offer me a contract extension, so for my third year I was just playing college rugby and wasn't getting many opportunities there. I just decided to take a chance in coming to Ireland and it's paid off," he explained.

"In school and after school, I just wanted to give my best in rugby and see where it takes me. I wasn't really thinking about the future, but trying to stay in the present. It's worked out how I hoped and more as I never thought I'd be in this environment, so I'm very thankful."

Bolton admitted he was "very nervous" when first called into the Ireland set-up, but feels he has settled.

He was part of the travelling squad for last weekend's 26-13 defeat to New Zealand in Chicago and although not involved in the match-day 23, has taken a lot from being around the senior team.

"The last two weeks were really big for me, just being in the camp with them and seeing how the preparations go on a big test week, just getting that feeling and the buzz around the place. I took loads of learnings from that," he continued.

"I got loads of information there, just seeing how the boys look at the game, how thew back threes look at the game and how we can take opportunities to attack in a game."

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland full-back Jamie Osborne said that his side have to "be better defensively" against Japan than they were against New Zealand.

Osborne started in Ireland's disappointing 26-13 loss against the All Blacks at Soldier Field last weekend.

Andy Farrell's side now face Japan at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday (12:40 GMT) in the first of three home games this month and Osborne believes Eddie Jones' side will be a "challenge" despite their 61-7 loss against South Africa last time out.

"They're very dangerous, they have great feet especially in the wide channels and they like to move the ball to width, they play a bit deeper than we would," Osborne explained.

"They will get the ball into the 15 and attack from there, so we have to be better defensively getting after them."

The versatile 23-year-old said he has been "enjoying" playing regularly at full-back for Leinster and Ireland in the absence of the injured Hugo Keenan.

He added that the squad are relishing a return to Dublin for a first home game since losing to France in the Six Nations in March.

"Anytime you lose a game you just want to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and try and right a few wrongs," he continued.

"Everyone is looking forward to getting back out in front of a home crowd for the first time in a while."

Image source, Inpho

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell said Tadhg Beirne's disciplinary hearing was a "distraction" for the player this week.

Beirne was sent off in the third minute of his side's 26-13 defeat by New Zealand last weekend but is available to start against Japan in Dublin on Saturday (12:40 GMT) after the card was rescinded.

The Munster forward was initially shown a yellow card for a challenge on All Black fly-half Beauden Barrett in Chicago but the decision was upgraded to a 20-minute red card during the game after a bunker review.

On Tuesday an independent disciplinary committee found that "whilst an act of foul play had occurred, it did not meet the red card threshold" leaving Beirne free to take his place alongside James Ryan in Ireland's second row against the Brave Blossoms in the second of four Tests this month.

"It's a distraction for Tadhg," said Farrell.

"You can't obviously select a side or know for definite what's going to happen, even if you're putting your mortgage on trying to presume [the decision would be overturned].

"There's a distraction in going through the process, the amount of emails flying around and then the hearing itself. I sat through it with Tadhg, it's not nice."

Farrell added that Beirne, who was player of the series in the British and Irish Lions' series victory over Australia during the summer, was delighted to still be in line to win his 63rd Ireland cap on Saturday, even after an incident in training left him needing stitches.

"He was over the moon to be available, not that you'd be able to see it from Tadhg's mannerisms," he said.

"He trained [on Wednesday] and Jack Conan came down on his head with an elbow and he got split.

"He's had six stitches, so not a great start to the week for him, but hopefully it gets better."

Image source, Inpho

Former Ireland and Munster back Andrew Conway had "hard conversations" with Joe Schmidt when making the switch from Leinster to Munster.

The 34-year-old, whose career ended in 2023 because of a knee injury, had made 42 appearances for his home province at the time when offered a contract with fierce rivals Munster.

Although he had been invited to the Munster Academy as a teenager when leaving Dublin's Blackrock College, Conway at that stage opted to stay at home.

However, speaking to The Ireland Rugby Social podcast, he felt eventually making the switch to Thomond Park in 2013 was the "best decision" he made in his career despite how his then provincial coach Schmidt heard the news.

"I trust my intuition and just felt it was the right thing to do, even though it was the hard thing to do," he said.

"I signed the contract on the Thursday and Joe had rang me an hour after I had signed it, saying 'don't sign anything but come in and talk to me on Saturday'. I didn't have the forethought to say I'd signed so just said 'yeah, grand'.

"On Friday, I went over to London to a football match with a couple of mates and came back the worse for wear on the Saturday. My agent had rang and said Gerry Thornley (of The Irish Times) knew about me signing and it was going into the paper, so Joe would have known.

"I went in and got the head eaten off me, but a few hours later I find out why he was so annoyed - Johnny Sexton had signed for Racing and it was coming out, so my thing was small fish."

In the podcast, Conway talks about his 10 years at Munster where he made 150 appearances for his adopted province.

Knee injuries would hamper his Ireland career as he missed out on two Grand Slams, a winning tour to New Zealand and the 2023 World Cup, something he described as "horrific", but Conway takes a philosophical view of his career.

"I'd love a few more medals and caps, but have a mentality where I don't think about what I didn't achieve or don't have.

"I'm more focused on the positives. Maybe it's a bit idealistic, but it's the truth."

Image source, BBC Sport

This week's guest on the Ireland Rugby Social is former Ireland wing Andrew Conway.

The 34-year-old won 30 caps for his country and was part of Joe Schmidt's World Cup squad in 2019.

Conway sits down with former team-mate Conor Murray and BBC Sport NI presenter Gavin Andrews to discuss his career in green as well as his move from Leinster to Munster.

Listen and subscribe to the Ireland Rugby Social now on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Centre Stuart McCloskey is an injury doubt for Ireland's autumn Test with Japan in Dublin on Saturday.

Ulster's McCloskey was forced off in the second half of Ireland's 26-13 defeat by New Zealand in Chicago with a groin injury.

The Irish Rugby Football Union said the 33-year-old would be monitored and a decision on his availability would be made throughout the week.

Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose and Robbie Henshaw are centre options for Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, while Ciaran Frawley, Jamie Osborne and the uncapped Tom Farrell can also play in midfield.

The IRFU also confirmed that Caelan Doris "successfully" came through his first game since May after a shoulder injury ruled him out of the British and Irish Lions' tour of Australia.

The Irish captain made his return to action as a first-half replacement in Chicago.

Farrell will name his team to face Japan, who were hammered 61-7 by South Africa at the weekend, on Thursday.

The Irish head coach is also awaiting news about any possible sanction for second row Tadhg Beirne after his controversial red card in the defeat by the All Blacks.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland centre Stuart McCloskey says his first game against the All Blacks was "right up there" in terms of experiences in his career despite defeat.

The 33-year-old Ulster player impressed in his 55 minutes on the pitch in Chicago before he was forced off with a groin problem.

Andy Farrell's side went on to lose 26-13 and while disappointed that New Zealand inflicted a third successive defeat on Ireland, McCloskey was content with his individual display.

"I've played some big games over the years but that's right up there, probably up there with the one against France in the Six Nations a couple of years ago," he said.

"I thought it went alright, I had some good impacts on the game, I wish a couple of the offloads had stuck and the lads had run them in but overall, I was very happy with how the 55 minutes went."

McCloskey was a surprise inclusion in midfield ahead of Bundee Aki, but was rewarded for a good start to the campaign with Ulster with his third successive start for Ireland.

While he said it was "hard to know" how severe the groin injury is, McCloskey is hoping to be involved in home Tests against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

The centre wants to add to his 22 caps for Ireland after being forced to bide his time for opportunities in recent years.

"I'd love to get back out there, if not next week, then the week after and put another foot down," he added.

"There's another two guys in there, two Lions, waiting to go as well, it's very competitive, you don't want to give up the spot without a bit of a fight.

"I had to say to myself maybe six or seven years ago to be patient and stick at it. I've just tried to stay in there and play good rugby for Ulster and try to put the pressure on the lads ahead of me to be the best they could be.

"Hopefully this injury isn't too bad and I get a few more games."

Image source, BBC Sport

Conor and Gavin reflect on Ireland's defeat to New Zealand in Chicago on the latest Ireland Rugby Social.

Former international scrum-half Murray breaks down the key moments from the match, including the controversial red card shown to Tadhg Beirne and its impact on the game.

He also tackles listener questions in the 'Get Involved' segment, responding to fan opinions and offering his take on what's next for Andy Farrell's side.

Expert analysis, honest reflection, and a look ahead to what promises to be a pivotal few weeks for Irish rugby.

Listen, download and subscribe now on BBC Sounds.