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Japan v Ireland

Date: Saturday 11th July 2026

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Kick-off: 11:10am (8:10pm local)

Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

TV Coverage: Live on ITV (UK) and VMTV (ROI)

Ireland will tackle Japan at the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday 11th July, during the second round of the 2026 Nations Championship.

In their most recent encounter, Ireland scored six tries in a 41-10 victory over the Brave Blossoms during the 2025 Autumn Internationals.

Overall, Ireland and Japan have played each other on 11 occasions, with Ireland winning 10 matches and Japan winning just one match.

Japan v Ireland - Nations Championship Tickets

Tickets for the Japan v Ireland match in the Nations Championship went on general sale on Thursday 23rd April. Check the Ticketmaster.com.au website for further information.

Ticketmaster Official Ticket Agency Buy Tickets

Japan v Ireland - Recent History

Jack Crowley scores a try for Ireland v Japan during 2025 Autumn Internationals

Ireland overcome sluggish start to beat Japan

8th November 2025

Ireland bounced back from defeat to New Zealand by beginning their home autumn internationals with a 41-10 win over Japan in Dublin.

Johnny Sexton in action for Ireland v Japan in 2021 autumn internationals

Johnny Sexton celebrates 100th Ireland cap with try in victory over Japan

6th November 2021

Johnny Sexton stylishly celebrated his 100th cap with a second-half try as Ireland launched their autumn campaign with a crushing 60-5 win over Japan.

Josh van der Flier is tackled during the Ireland v Japan summer Test match

Depleted Ireland edge past Japan as fans return to Aviva Stadium

3rd July 2021

Ireland shrugged off the absence of several senior personnel to edge out Japan 39-31 in a fluctuating summer Test as supporters returned to the Aviva Stadium for the first time in 17 months.

Japan players celebrate a famous victory over Ireland at World Cup

Hosts Japan shock woeful Ireland as the World Cup comes alive

28th September 2019

Japan shocked the globe for the second time in four years by stunning Ireland 19-12 to light a bomb under Pool A and a fire under their home World Cup.

Venue Information - McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

McDonald Jones Stadium, 294 Turton Rd, Broadmeadow NSW 2292, Australia

Stadium Capacity: 33,000

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