Ireland make it two from two with a hard-earned win in Newcastle
Ireland came from behind to beat Japan 36-20 in Round 2 of the Nations Championship at Newcastle Stadium, a result that leaves them top of the North pool with two wins from two. It was not always polished, but their carrying power and a late burst of scores eventually saw them home.
The scoreboard does not tell the whole story. Japan, backed by a strong scrum and a huge tackle count, made life awkward for long stretches. But when the game opened up in the second half, Ireland had the ball-carriers and the bench to pull clear.
A fast start from Japan
Japan could hardly have asked for a better opening. Inside three minutes Taira Main was over on the left, Takuro Matsunaga converted, and the hosts led 7-0. Main was a threat throughout, finishing with 64 metres from six carries and Japan's only clean break.
Ireland responded quickly. Nick Timoney crossed on eight minutes and Ciaran Frawley levelled it at 7-7. From there the first half became a scrap. Matsunaga knocked over two penalties to keep Japan in front at 13-12 after Tom O'Toole had barged over on 20 minutes, but Robbie Henshaw's try on 34 minutes, converted by Frawley, sent the visitors into the break 19-13 ahead.
The second half swings Ireland's way
The match tilted early after the restart. Sean Jansen powered over on 50 minutes and Frawley's third conversion made it 26-13. Jansen was Ireland's standout carrier, beating five defenders and making 53 metres from 12 carries, the sort of gainline work that kept Ireland moving when the game was still in the balance.
Japan refused to fold. Hayate Era crossed on 58 minutes and Matsunaga's conversion brought it back to 26-20, and for a spell the hosts were right back in it. But they could not build on it. Harry Byrne's penalty on 70 minutes pushed the lead back out, and Era's yellow card on 77 minutes left Japan short at the death. Tom Stewart then crossed in the 82nd minute for the try that settled it, with Byrne converting a minute later for the 36-20 final margin.
Where the game was decided
The numbers point to a clear pattern. Ireland made seven clean breaks to Japan's one and beat 25 defenders to nine. Japan, by contrast, put in 173 tackles to Ireland's 137, a figure that underlines how much defending they had to do.
- Sean Jansen – 12 carries, 53 metres, five defenders beaten and a try
- Nick Timoney – a try, 44 metres and 15 tackles
- Jimmy O'Brien – two clean breaks and three defenders beaten from the wing
- Jack Conan – 12 carries before being replaced
Ireland's set-piece was reliable rather than dominant, their lineout returning 14 from 18. That is an area they will want tidied up against sterner opposition, but it held up well enough here.
Plenty for Japan to build on
Eddie Jones's side will not be too downhearted. Their scrum was excellent, winning all five of their own feeds, while Jack Cornelsen was tireless with 20 tackles. Warner Dearns and Harry Hockings both put in a shift in the engine room, and Matsunaga contributed 10 points and 41 metres from full-back.
The concern is control. Japan conceded 18 turnovers to Ireland's nine and missed 24 tackles, and once the game loosened up they simply did not have enough of the ball to stay in the fight. The early try gave them a platform, but they could not sustain the pressure through the middle third, and Ireland's carriers made them pay after the break.
What it means
Ireland sit top of the North pool on 10 points with two wins from two. Japan slip to fourth in the South pool after a mixed opening pair of results, having beaten Italy in Round 1 before this defeat. On this evidence, Ireland's forward power and bench impact remain dependable strengths.
A solid afternoon's work for Ireland, even if it took them a while to find their rhythm.