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Japan vs Ireland: Sean Jansen to make international debut as Andy Farrell makes nine changes for Newcastle contest

Sean Jansen will win his first cap in a much-changed Ireland side for Saturday's Nations Championship clash with Japan in Australia.

The Connacht number eight will make his debut in Newcastle as part of a pack showing just three survivors - prop Tom O'Toole, second row James Ryan and Jack Conan, who switches from No 8 to the blindside - from the 33-31 victory over Australia.

Rookie Connacht props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, as well as Ulster back row Bryn Ward are also in line to make their debuts after being named on the bench.

Tadhg Beirne, who came off the bench against Australia, captains the side for the first time from the start while hooker Ronan Kelleher will win his 50th cap.

There are nine changes in total to the starting XV that faced Australia. Behind the pack, Jamie Osborne moves from wing to full-back with wing Jimmy O'Brien and Stuart McCloskey the only other survivors from the starting line-up in Sydney.

Andy Farrell

Image: Andy Farrell has made nine changes to his starting XV

Robbie Henshaw comes in to partner McCloskey in the centres with Jacob Stockdale filling Osborne's role on the wing.

Ciaran Frawley and Craig Casey form a new-look half-back partnership.

Winger Robert Baloucoune remains unavailable having been prevented from playing against Australia by a tight hamstring after initially being named in the starting XV, while front row Jeremy Loughman is also out after suffering a concussion against the Wallabies.

The likes of tour captain Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose and Hugo Keenan are rested ahead of next weekend's clash with New Zealand in Auckland.

Ireland team to face Japan:

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Starting XV: 15 Jamie Osborne, 14 Jimmy O'Brien, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Ciaran Frawley, 9 Craig Casey; 1 Tom O'Toole, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Thomas Clarkson, 4 Tadhg Beirne (c), 5 James Ryan, 6 Jack Conan, 7 Nick Timoney, 8 Sean Jansen.

Replacements: 16 Tom Stewart, 17 Billy Bohan, 18 Sam Illo, 19 Cormac Izuchukwu, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Nathan Doak, 22 Harry Byrne, 23 Bundee Aki.

Russell returns for Scotland against South Africa

Finn Russell returns to the Scotland side as one of three changes to the starting XV for Saturday's Nations Championship clash with South Africa in Pretoria.

The talismanic stand-off sat out last weekend's campaign-opening victory in Argentina as he completed his recovery from a calf injury that caused him to miss the last three games of Bath's season.

Russell takes the place of Tom Jordan, who drops to the bench in the only change to the backline as Scotland eye their first-ever win in South Africa.

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell

Image: Finn Russell returns at fly-half for Scotland

There are two alterations to the pack. Zander Fagerson replaces tighthead Elliot Millar Mills, who suffered a campaign-ending injury against Argentina.

Gregor Brown, who came off the bench to score in Cordoba, starts in the second row in place of Jonny Gray, who drops out altogether.

Will Hurd, Josh Bayliss, Magnus Bradbury and Stafford McDowall are all added to the bench in a 6-2 split, with last weekend's replacements George Horne, Fergus Burke and Darcy Graham out of the 23.

Scotland team to face South Africa:

Starting XV: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Jamie Dobie, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Ewan Ashman, 3 Zander Fagerson, 4 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: 16 Gregor Hiddleston, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Alex Samuel, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Magnus Bradbury, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowall.

Wales make three changes to face Argentina with Rees-Zammit on bench

Louis Rees Zammit will be hoping to help Wales to a first Six Nations win in three years

Image: Louis Rees Zammit will not start for Wales against Argentina

Sam Costelow, Ellis Mee and James Botham have been included in Wales' starting line-up for Saturday's Nations Championship match against Argentina in San Juan.

Head coach Steve Tandy has made three changes following his side's 39-24 win against Fiji last weekend in the inaugural tournament's opening round of fixtures.

Costelow will start in place of Ospreys' Dan Edwards at fly-half and his Scarlets team-mate Mee has been chosen ahead of Bristol's Louis Rees-Zammit on the right wing.

Cardiff flanker Botham has been given the nod over Alex Mann at blindside, with Jac Morgan at openside and Aaron Wainwright completing the back row.

Scarlets' front row Ryan Elias is poised to win his 50th cap for Wales off the bench - captain Dewi Lake resumes at hooker - and Exeter back-rower Kane James is hoping to make his senior debut after being included among the replacements.

Wales team to face Argentina:

Starting XV: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Rhys Carre, 7 Dewi Lake (c), 6 Dillon Lewis, 5 Ben Carter, 4 Adam Beard, 3 James Botham, 2 Jac Morgan, 1 Aaron Wainwright

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Kane James, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Max Llewellyn, 23 Louis Rees-Zammit.

2026 Nations Championship summer fixtures - all kick-off times BST

July 4

July 11

July 18