Dunedin-raised Sean Jansen, pictured in action for Connacht, has been named to make his debut for Ireland against Japan tonight. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Sean Jansen will don a different shade of green tonight. The former Green Island ‘‘grizzlie’’ has been handed the No 8 jersey to make his Ireland debut against Japan in Newcastle, Australia, tonight. Jansen is one of nine changes Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has made from the team that edged the Wallabies 33-31 last weekend. The block-busting back rower gets the nod after a standout season for Connacht, scoring 10 tries in the United Rugby Championship and ranking third in tackles made as his team qualified for the Champions Cup. It represents a rapid rise for the Dunedin-raised loose forward. The 27-year-old went to Otago Boys’ High School, impressed with Green Island and spent a season as a loan player with North Otago in the Heartland Championship. Jansen then headed overseas where he played 15 games and scored five tries for English powerhouse Leicester before joining Irish club Connacht. Jansen qualifies for the Emerald Isle through his grandparents, who hailed from Antrim and Kildare. He had been on the radar in recent years after being picked for the Emerging Ireland team in 2024. Japan beat Italy 27-10 last week. Ireland head to New Zealand next week where they play the All Blacks at Eden Park.
