Brian O'Driscoll
Former Ireland captain on TNT Sports

Japan will want to move the ball quickly and Ireland will have to stop them from doing that. It will be tough as it is a perfect afternoon for rugby.

BBC Sounds

You can follow live audio coverage of the game on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Sound from 12:30 GMT.

Presenter Orla Bannon will be joined in the studio by former Ireland internationals Robbie Diack and Claire Small, with Jim Neilly and Ian Humphreys in the commentary booth.

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How do you do, fellow kids?

Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell speaking to TNT Sports:

"We didn't lick our wounds long after last week. We went straight into preparing for today and we know we need more intention from the start.

There is an opportunity today for the boys on the pitch to put pressure on those watching in the stand."

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When you see there is a new episode of the Ireland Rugby Social.

Brian O'Driscoll
Former Ireland captain on TNT Sports

Tom is so old that even I have played with him! In all seriousness, it is a wonderful story and a wonderful day for him.

He has taken the long route to become an international but, after originally having a temporary contract at Munster, he has played his way into a crucial role there and deserves this today.

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An Ireland debut at the age of 32.

It's a big day for Tom Farrell, who will start at centre.

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I am speed.

Japan opened their autumn last week against world champions South Africa, and it's fair to say things didn't really go to plan.

South Africa ran out 61-7 winners at Wembley as the Springboks turned on the style.

Kurt-Lee Arendse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu both scored two tries,

Youngster Yoshitaka Yazaki scored Japan's sole try in London in what was a high-scoring but ultimately one-sided contest.

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Ireland prop Andrew Porter says his side are taking inspiration from their 60-5 win against Japan in 2021 as they look to kick-start their autumn campaign.

Porter explained that Ireland were looking back at that big win over Japan four years ago that set them up for the success that has since followed under Andy Farrell.

"It was a bit of springboard and was a step in the right direction," Porter said of the win in which Johnny Sexton contributed 16 points on his 100th Ireland cap.

"We were looking back to it and how good that cohesion was. It felt like everything clicked that day and, in that series, and that's what we're trying to do now after game one, we want to get that feeling back."

Porter said that having reviewed last week's defeat by the All Blacks there were "snippets" of what Ireland can do but it ultimately "wasn't the account we wanted to give of ourselves".

He hopes Ireland can respond against a Japan side that were thrashed 61-7 by South Africa last weekend.

"They're a really well organised unit. Against South Africa, it didn't go the way they wanted but they're still a great attacking threat and have a good set piece, so we won't be taking them lightly or will be complacent about it at all," he added.

"The worst thing you can do is underestimate them and we won't be doing that. "

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Aviva Stadium

Ireland's last home game before today was the miserable Six Nations defeat by France. Les Bleus scored 34 unanswered points that day to take control of the title race and effectively kill off Irish hopes of a third straight championship.

With the greatest respect, the chances of Japan running riot this afternoon in the same manner are slim at best.

There was a crackling atmosphere in here before the France game. It's much more low-key today, what with the lunchtime kick-off etc, but make no mistake: this is an important day for Andy Farrell's side.

Anything less than a convincing win and the question marks that have surrounded this squad in recent weeks will remain.

What do you make of Eddie Jones' comments on the state of rugby?

Does the TMO need fixing? Would a hybrid game work?

Let us know using 'Get Involved'.

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Whether you love him or not, when Eddie Jones speaks, you tend to listen.

From his underdog heroics with Japan in 2015, the blunt end to his trophy-laden spell as England boss or two contrasting spells with Australia - he has seen it all in 30 years of coaching.

Often outspoken, he can be viewed as a polarising figure but no one can accuse him of not caring about rugby.

And he has a plan to fix the sport he loves.

Speaking on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast before Japan's game in Dublin on Saturday, he laid out the big changes he would make.

"In terms of professionalism, there's no doubt we are at a financial point where something is going to have to give," Jones said in Dublin.

"International teams are playing closer to 15 Tests because everyone needs more money. Say that takes up to 22 weeks, which leaves 30 weeks left of the year. How can you have a strong domestic season?

"The obvious answer is everyone has 10-team comps and they all play at the same time, and then you have a window for a Club World Cup competition that is the icing on the cake.

"But that's going to take a huge realignment of World Rugby and I think we need to get to that."

You can read more on Jones' thoughts on the game here, including some strong thoughts on the TMO and the state of club rugby.

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Eddie Jones is no stranger to Dublin and he's a special guest in a bonus episode of the Ireland Rugby Social podcast.

Jones sits down with Gavin Andrews to talk through his experiences in Ireland, Johnny Sexton as a coach, Ireland's transition under Andy Farrell and the state of rugby - which he had plenty of views on.

You can listen to the Ireland Rugby Social on BBC Sounds.

Both sets of supporters are bringing the colour to Dublin today.

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Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Ireland's most recent meeting with Japan provided a milestone occasion for two players at the opposite end of their international careers.

Captain Johnny Sexton won his 100th Irish cap against the Brave Blossoms in November 2021, marking the day with a try in the 55-point win.

"It was a very special moment and the crowd at that moment will live with me forever," said Sexton afterwards.

"You couldn't not notice it - it was an incredible ovation."

In a game where Munster wing Andrew Conway scored a hat-trick, hooker Dan Sheehan made his debut off the bench.

The 27-year-old now has 33 caps for Ireland, and a further three for the British and Irish Lions, and was captain in the defeat by the All Blacks on Saturday.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland's next meeting with Japan after the World Cup shock of 2019 was another thrilling encounter that featured their slimmest winning margin in the fixture.

The sides shared nine tries with Andy Farrell's side crossing five times to Japan's four in a rare summer Test at the Aviva Stadium.

The hosts in Dublin were playing their first home game in front of fans since February 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic, although the crowd was limited to just 3,000 spectators.

While not at the numbers seen for this summer's tour of Australia, Ireland were missing a host of regulars who were on British and Irish Lions' duty in South Africa and were captained by lock James Ryan.

The much-changed side were given a real test by Japan before ultimately moving into a two-score lead with only 11 minutes to go through Joey Carbery's penalty.

Tommy Bowe
Former Ireland winger on TNT Sports

I'm sure everyone is delighted to see Caelan Doris back in the team today. He is so talismanic and it is no surprise to see him straight in as captain.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Japan's sole win in this fixture serves as one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup.

The side, who under Eddie Jones four years prior had beaten the Springboks in a pool-stage fixture in Brighton, were on home soil in Shizuoka this time around.

Roared on by a partisan crowd, Jamie Joseph's side were full value for their comeback win that again sent shockwaves through the tournament.

Ireland, who were without fly-half Johnny Sexton for the game, had led 12-9 at half-time but could not muster a single point after the turn and were beaten by a non-tier one nation at the World Cup for the first time.

Despite subsequent wins over Russia and Samoa, Joe Schmidt's side never truly recovered and were thumped by the All Blacks in the quarter-finals, while Japan were beaten by eventual winners South Africa at the same stage.

Tommy Bowe
Former Ireland winger on TNT Sports

The game in Chicago last week was disappointing as a spectacle. The early red card killed it off slightly but it is great to be back in Dublin today.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Japan's seismic win in 2019 was not the only meeting between the pair at the global showpiece.

Pool stage meetings also occurred in 1991 and 1995 and there were times during the latter when Japan appeared primed to pull off an upset.

As they looked to bounce back from a trouncing at the hands of a Jonah Lomu inspired New Zealand in their opener, Ireland had led 19-0 midway through the first half in Bloemfontein after scores from David Corkery, Neil Francis and Simon Geoghegan.

They were, however, pegged back to 19-14 at half-time and 26-21 shortly after the restart.

Scores from Eddie Halvey and Niall Hogan, and the second of two penalty tries, eventually made the game safe, but Ireland were still left counting the cost afterwards with the shoulder injury suffered by hooker Keith Wood ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament.

After edging past Wales 24-23 to make the last eight, Ireland were beaten in the quarter-finals by France.