Tadhg Beirne ‘over the moon’ to face Japan after anxious wait for Ireland star

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says Tadhg Beirne is “over the moon” to be facing Japan after enduring the uncertainty of a disciplinary process and requiring stitches in a head wound.

Munster captain Beirne was in danger of sitting out the remainder of his country’s autumn fixtures through suspension following his early dismissal in last weekend’s 26-13 loss to New Zealand in Chicago.

The 33-year-old lock initially received a yellow card for his third-minute challenge on All Blacks fly-half Beauden Barrett but the punishment was upgraded to red on review.

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