🗓️ Date: Saturday 8 November 2025
🕧 Kick-off: 12:40 GMT
🏟️ Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
📺 Where to Watch: TNT Sports in UK and IRE (more broadcast info here)
🎟️ Tickets: Via Ticketmaster
Ireland are in Dublin for their first fixture in the 2025 Quilter Nations Series - fresh from a game of two halves against New Zealand in Chicago - welcoming Japan to the Aviva Stadium in what promises to be a high-tempo, crowd-pleasing encounter. The Brave Blossoms last visited the Irish capital in 2021, a match remembered not only for Ireland’s dominant 60–5 win, but also for a moment of pure class: Johnny Sexton, celebrating his 100th cap, was presented with a ceremonial samurai sword by Japan captain Pieter Labuschagne—a gesture that captured the spirit of mutual respect between the two rugby cultures.
Andy Farrell’s side formed the core of the 2025 British & Irish Lions series-winning team in Australia. and those not on tour swept aside Portugal and Georgia in summer Tests. Their attacking game has been firing, with a blend of power and precision, but their fans will hope to see more composure in the final stages after the late loss in Chicago.
Japan have had a mixed run, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling against Tier 1 opposition. Their summer series against Wales was competitive - including a win against the men in red - and they will be in Europe to show they have shrugged off the heavy defeats of 2024, when they lost convincingly to France and England. Their cause has not been helped by two defeats on consecutive weekends: first a narrow loss against a much-changed Wallabies team, and then last weekend came a drubbing versus the Springboks at Wembley.
Players to Watch
☘️ Ireland
Sam Prendergast – The Leinster fly-half is out to not only step into Sexton’s boots, but to own them for the foreseeable.
Tommy O'Brien – Winger scored two tries on debut against Georgia in the summer, and showed up well against the All Blacks.
Cormac Izuchukwu – Moves very fast for a big man. The Ulster lock is aiming to nail down a spot in a hugely competitive second row.
🌸 Japan
Shuhei Takeuchi – Cornerstone of the Japan scrum, Takeuchi helped his team beat Wales during the summer.
Amato Fakatava – A powerful number eight, Fakatava adds physicality and a nose for the try-line.
Kippei Ishida – New to the Test rugby scene after a sevens career, winger Ishida is already having an impact.
🤔 Did you know?
Dan Sheehan, now the highest-scoring forward in Guinness Men's Six Nations history, made his Test debut in Dublin against Japan back in 2021. He now ranks among the best hookers in world rugby.
🧣 Matchday Experience
The Aviva Stadium, with a capacity of 51,700, will be buzzing for this midday kick-off. Fans can expect a stirring rendition of the national anthems and a vibrant atmosphere as Ireland look to build momentum ahead of tougher tests against Australia and South Africa