Four players are in line to make their Ireland debuts as Andy Farrell has made nine changes for Ireland’s Nations Championship test against Japan.

Connacht No 8 Sean Jansen 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 number eight to the blindside, from the 33-31 victory over Australia.

Jansen, who’s born in New Zealand, qualifies for Ireland through his grandparents, who hail from Belfast and Monasterevin. He’s been immensely impressive over the second half of the URC season as Stuart Lancaster’s side managed a huge turnaround to make the playoffs.

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Sean Jansen during an Ireland rugby squad training session at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney, Australia. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

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, after all having breakout seasons in the URC.

Tadhg Beirne, who came off the bench against Australia, captains the side for the first time from the start, having only taken over on-field captaincy previously, while hooker Ronan Kelleher will win his 50th cap.

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.

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Tadhg Beirne. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

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 as Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park are rested.

Alongside the three debutants on the bench, Ulster trio Tom Stewart, Cormac Izuchukwu and Nathan Doak all get the nod. Meanwhile, Harry Byrne and Bundee Aki, once again, will also likely make appearances off the bench.

It all gets underway this Saturday from McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia. The game will be live on Virgin Media, and kick-off is at 11:10 am Irish time.