A much-changed Ireland side dug deep to defeat a spirited Japan 36-20 in New South Wales, earning their second consecutive bonus-point victory in the Nations Championship. Debutant number eight Sean Jansen scored a try as Ireland built a lead that Japan repeatedly threatened to overturn.
Japan struck first through winger Taira Main, who exploited a poor Irish line-out to race through. Nick Timoney responded quickly for Ireland, but Takuro Matsunaga's penalty edged Japan back ahead. Tom O'Toole then crossed for his first Test try, though the conversion was missed, leaving Japan 13-12 ahead after another Matsunaga penalty.
Robbie Henshaw marked his return from injury with Ireland's third try, but Japan remained within striking distance at halftime. Jansen crashed over early in the second half for his debut score, but replacement prop Hayate Era answered back for Japan with 20 minutes remaining, keeping the Brave Blossoms' hopes alive.
Ireland extended their lead through a Harry Byrne penalty before Tom Stewart powered over in the final minute, after Era was sin-binned, to seal the bonus point. Captain Tadhg Beirne acknowledged the tough contest: "That was a hard-fought win, we had to stick in it. Japan kept coming at us but we stuck in and got the nice try at the end."
Ireland now travel to Auckland to face New Zealand at Eden Park next week, while Japan host France in Tokyo.