Ireland hold off spirited Japan for bonus-point win

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video can not be played Figure caption, Highlights: Ireland secure bonus point win over Japan By Matt Gault BBC Sport NI senior journalist Published 1 hour ago Nations Championship round two Japan (13) 20 Tries: Taira, Era Cons: Matsunaga 2 Pens: Matsunaga 2 Ireland (19) 36 Tries: Timoney, O'Toole, Henshaw, Jansen, Stewart Cons: Frawley 3, Byrne Pen: Byrne Sean Jansen marked his international debut with a try as a much-changed Ireland wore Japan down in New South Wales to make it two bonus-point wins from two in the Nations Championship. New Zealand-born number eight Jansen, elevated to the Test team on the back of a superb season with Connacht, crashed down 10 minutes into the second half after earlier Irish tries by Nick Timoney, Tom O'Toole and Robbie Henshaw. Winger Taira Main's early score and eight points from the boot of full-back Takuro Matsunaga kept Japan within a converted try at half-time. The Brave Blossoms reignited hopes of a shock win when replacement prop Hayate Era crossed after Jansen's score with 20 minutes left. That score reignited Japan's hopes of marking head coach Eddie Jones' return from suspension with just a second win over Ireland in 12 meetings. But after replacement fly-half Harry Byrne stretched Ireland's lead to nine with a penalty, Tom Stewart struck in the final minute to seal a sixth successive win for Andy Farrell's side. Ireland travel to Auckland for a mouth-watering encounter with rivals New Zealand at Eden Park next week, while Japan host France in Tokyo. "I would say relief more than pleased," admitted Farrell. "Delighted to get the win for all sorts of reasons, the four debutants, all the changes and because Japan are a good side that put us under pressure. The scoreline flattered us but delighted for the whole group." Nations Championship: Much-changed Ireland beat Japan for second win Six-try France fight back to beat Wallabies Published 3 hours ago Japan give Ireland wake-up call Following the energy and effort required to fend off the Wallabies last week, Farrell opted to test the depth of his squad with nine changes to his starting line-up. They included handing Ciaran Frawley a first Test start at fly-half, giving try-hungry Connacht back row Jansen his debut from the start and reinstalling Jacob Stockdale at left wing after Jamie Osborne's surprise appearance in the 11 shirt last week. But it was Japan's left wing Taira - who replaced Kippei Ishida in their only change from last week - who celebrated an early try, breezing through the Irish defence after Ronan Kelleher missed James Ryan with his line-out throw. It was another poor set-piece from Ireland, whose line-out also faltered at times against Australia, but the response from those in green was commendable, with Timoney diving over for his seventh try in 13 international appearances after quick Irish hands sent Stockdale scampering into the Japanese 22. Matsunaga, who sco