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Live blog on RTÉ Sport Online and the RTÉ News app from 12.30pm
TV
Live coverage on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player commencing at 12.30pm
RADIO
Live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra from 12:55pm and RTÉ Radio 1 from 2pm with Michael Corcoran and analysis from Shane Byrne
WEATHER
A cloudy start tomorrow with scattered outbreaks of rain. Brightening up during the afternoon with sunshine and showers, some of the showers likely to be heavy and thundery. Highest temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees.
Carbery return generating most excitement
With the Lions contingent already down in South Africa and kicking off their grueling schedule of games, those left behind attend to business at home against Japan.
The Irish representation on the 2021 Lions is slightly down on previous touring parties, partly a consequence of Scotland sending a decent haul for the first time in aeons.
James Ryan, as most are aware, is stuck up here in the northern hemisphere, much to the initial chagrin of Irish rugby fans when it was announced that Adam Beard was the player chosen to replace the injured Alun Wyn Jones. Reports subsequently emerged that injury had caused Ryan to be overlooked although his selection this weekend has cast some doubt on whether this was the true reason for his omission. For what it's worth, some have tentatively advanced the opinion that Ryan's 2021 form did not merit selection.
The Leinster lock will have a chance to return to his stellar 2017-18 form in less pressured surroundings this Saturday.
Ireland start with a centre-pairing of Chris Farrell and Stuart McCloskey - both Ulster-born even if the former plays his provincial rugby down south. It's McCloskey's first appearance in an Irish jersey since the rather underwhelming victory over Georgia last November.
Unquestionably, the selection which will most excite supporters is Joey Carbery at out-half, back after dreadful injury problems over the course of 2020 and early 2021.
It is the first time that Carbery, long regarded as the heir to Johnny Sexton in the number 10 jersey, will feature for Ireland in the Andy Farrell era.
The Cork-born number eight Gavin Coombes will surely make his first international appearance from the bench at some point.
Fans are back - well, some are
The last time spectators were present to witness an Irish international match in dear old Lansdowne Road was on 8 February 2020 - polling day in last year's general election, as it happens - when Ireland gave Wayne Pivac's Wales a good old tonking in the Six Nations, teeing up a tilt at a Triple Crown in Twickenham two weeks later.
These dreams fell by the wayside in London and soon after the darkness of lockdown descended. All 11 of Ireland's test matches in the intervening period have been played in empty stadiums.
Saturday sees the return of fans, albeit in a limited fashion. 3,000 spectators will be allowed into the Aviva Stadium as part of one of the government's 'test events'.
This number will double for next weekend's test match against USA.
Japan still upwardly mobile
It's only Ireland's third ever home game against Japan. The first was back in 1991 during the pool phase of that famous World Cup, the names of some of the try-scorers (Mannion, Staples) instantly redolent of that era in Irish rugby.
The second was a 78-9 demolition job in November 2000, in which Denis Hickie rustled up a hat-trick, with Brian O'Driscoll and Tyrone Howe scoring a brace apiece.
As we know, Japan's standing in world rugby has altered considerably in the last couple of years. Their stunning win over South Africa in the 2015 World Cup propelled Eddie Jones to where he is today but was regarded as a slightly freakish event.
Their series of electrifying performances in the 2019 World Cup, commencing with their shock win over Ireland in Shizuoka, was less so. After the encouragingly emphatic victory over Scotland, Irish rugby was hit with a seismic jolt on the humid afternoon and their World Cup campaign, Joe Schmidt's final salvo as boss, never recovered.
Japan were in Edinburgh last weekend for the Lions farewell game, acquitting themselves reasonably well in a match which was most notable for its injury toll.
They limited their star-studded opposition to four tries, scoring themselves just before the hour courtesy of number eight Kazuki Himeno. 28-10 was no disgrace at all.
Speaking to the media during the week, Hugo Keenan - who incidentally, plays in front of fans for the first time for Ireland in what is his 12th cap - extolled the feted Japanese back-three, especially the irrepressible Kotaro Matsushima.
"They've got a mix of everything. Obviously, Matsushima is rapid, we all know him from Clermont and the World Cup, they've Fifita who's a bit more of a ball carrier and a big presence. And Yamanaka as well who's a ball player. They've got a good mix, they've got a wide variety of threats and challenges. They like to play that wide to wide game.
"How can you not appreciate Matsushima? He's got that X-factor. You always look at these players when you're scouting them, even taking bits of their game to add to yours. We'll have our hands full."
The last time these sides met, Japan came out on top against @IrishRugby in the 2019 World Rugby Cup. Andy Farrell's team welcome the Brave Blossoms to the Aviva tomorrow afternoon. Join @jacquihurley, @jamieheaslip and @jerryflannery on @rte2 from 12.30pm pic.twitter.com/LFK66oBT0v
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) July 2, 2021
Have the players sat down and watch the 2019 game again?
"No, we haven't watched it. Do you think we sat down and watched the full 80 minutes again, like? With thirteen uncapped players!" - Peter O'Mahony.
Eh, that'll be a no then.
TEAM NEWS
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Joey Carbery, Jamison Gibson Park; Dave Kilcoyne, Ronan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Ultan Dillane, James Ryan (capt); Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris
Replacements: Rob Herring, Ed Byrne, John Ryan, Ryan Baird, Gavin Coombes, Craig Casey, Billy Burns, Shane Daly
Japan: Kotaro Matsushima; Semisi Masirewa, Timothy Lafaele, Ryoto Nakamura, Siosaia Fifita; Yu Tamura, Naoto Saito; Keita Inagaki, Atsushi Sakate, Jiwon Koo; Wimpie van der Walt, James Moore; Michael Leitch (capt), Lappies Labuschagné, Kazuki Himeno
Replacements: Kosuke Horikoshi, Craig Millar, Asaeli Ai Valu, Jack Cornelson, Tevita Tatafu, Kaito Shigeno, Rikiya Matsuda, Shane Gates.
Last five meetings
2019: Japan 19-12 Ireland, RWC, Shizuoka
2017: Japan 13-35 Ireland, ST, Tokyo
2017: Japan 22-50 Ireland, ST, Shizuoka
2005: Japan 18-47 Ireland, ST, Tokyo
2005: Japan 12-44 Ireland, ST, Osaka
Follow Ireland vs Japan (1pm, Saturday) via our live blog on RTE.ie and the RTÉ News app or watch live on RTÉ1 or RTÉ Player, listen live on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra and RTÉ Radio 1.
