SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 7 hrs 49 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

James Ryan cleared to lead Ireland against Japan

:Headline: James Ryan cleared to lead Ireland against Japan:
The second row was tipped to replace the injured Alun Wyn Jones with the Lions.
Sports Mole

Andy Farrell admitted Warren Gatland enquired about the possibility of James Ryan replacing Alun Wyn Jones for the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa but an injury to the Leinster lock scuppered his chances.

Ryan was heavily tipped to take the place of injured Wales captain Jones in the Lions squad earlier this week but it was revealed the 24-year-old was suffering with an adductor complaint after Adam Beard got the nod instead.

The issue placed Ryan's availability for Ireland's opening summer Test against Japan on Saturday at the Aviva Stadium in doubt but Farrell has marvelled at his stand-in captain's progress in his recovery.

He will therefore lead the side out and take his place in the second row alongside Ultan Dillane against Japan, but there remained speculation about whether Gatland had asked Farrell about drafting Ryan into the Lions mix.

"Myself and Warren have communicated quite a lot, I know that Warren really rates James but the injury was a little bit of a setback, we didn't quite know where we were up to with that," Ireland head coach Farrell said.

"I informed (Gatland) that there was something going on and the medics took over from there. James, over the last day or so, in particular, has surprised everyone with the speed of his recovery.

"I'm delighted for James that he's able to captain the side. It's something that he's unbelievably passionate about. Hopefully that stands us down the years as well as far as the captaincy and the leadership is concerned."

Asked if Ryan would have been available for the Lions if he was fully fit, Farrell said: "I don't know whether that would have been the case but there's always conversations that have to happen before decisions like that are made."

James Ryan, left, will captain Ireland this weekend (Donall Farmer/PA)

Seven Ireland players are on Lions duty while regular captain Johnny Sexton, along with Cian Healy and Keith Earls, is sitting out the Japan fixture as well as next weekend's clash against the United States.

Stuart McCloskey will earn his fifth cap as he joins Chris Farrell in the centres for a game where around 3,000 spectators are expected in Dublin, the first time fans have been allowed into the stadium since February last year.

Hugo Keenan starts at full-back with Leinster team-mate Jordan Larmour and Ulster's Jacob Stockdale on the wings, while Jamison Gibson Park and Joey Carbery are at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.

Peter O'Mahony will be at blindside flanker, joined in the back row by Josh Van Der Flier and Caelan Doris, while Ronan Kelleher and Finlay Bealham will sit alongside Dave Kilcoyne in the front row.

Gavin Coombes is among the replacements – joining Rob Herring, Ed Byrne, John Ryan, Ryan Baird, Craig Casey, Billy Burns and Shane Daly – and the Munster back rower is the only uncapped member of the 23-strong squad.

Gavin Coombes, right, is in line for his Ireland debut this Saturday (Donall Farmer/PA)

"I'm excited across the board to see how the team performs because there's so many different ramifications that are happening throughout the side," Farrell said.

Only Keenan, Stockdale, Kilcoyne and Van Der Flier have been retained from the Ireland side that last took the field in a 32-18 win over England in the Six Nations in March.

Ireland were memorably defeated by Japan in their most recent encounter at the 2019 World Cup pool stage, and Farrell is once again wary of a Brave Blossoms side that has had plenty of time together ahead of this game.

"By all reports they've been together for six weeks, it's a big block," Farrell said. "We've been together for 12 days come matchday. That's not us complaining because that's the world we're living in in the northern hemisphere.

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph is expecting a stiff test against Ireland (Ashley Western/PA)

"If you look at the Japanese side, I though it was the best prepared team at the World Cup bar none and their performances showed that.

"I believe they had an unbelievably long stint together before that and the players they've picked to come over on this tour, a lot of them were in that squad."

Japan have made three changes to the side that were beaten 28-10 by the Lions at Murrayfield last weekend, with the uncapped Semisi Masirewa starting on the wing, allowing Kotaro Matsushima to replace Ryohei Yamanaka at full-back.

Naoto Saito is set to feature at scrum-half while Kazuki Himeno will be Japan's number eight.

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph said: "We know at home (Ireland are) very strong, a lot stronger than when they're away, so it's a different kettle of fish and that's something that we've been consistently talking about all week."

body check tags ::

amp_article__453588 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-07-01 18:28:18:
html db last update - 2021-07-01 18:16:24 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about James Ryan

Click here for more stories about Japan

Share this article now:
IJ
Read Next:
James Ryan available to lead Ireland against Japan
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about James Ryan Andy Farrell Jamie Joseph Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
James Ryan available to lead Ireland against Japan
Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Man City quoted £86m for "exceptional" Newcastle man?

1

MC

Arsenal 'suffer blow in pursuit of PSG attacker'

2

A'

Preview: Alaves vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

NEW

3

PA

Liverpool 'resigned to missing out on top managerial candidate'

4

L'

Arsenal 'optimistic over triple injury boost for Man City clash'

5

A'

Preview: Barcelona vs. Las Palmas - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PB

Man City injury, suspension list vs. Arsenal - De Bruyne, Stones and more

7

MC

Preview: Chelsea vs. Burnley - prediction, team news, lineups

8

PC

How Chelsea could line up against Burnley

9

HC

Key Man City duo miss training ahead of Arsenal title clash

10

KM


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .