Three changes for Ireland as Brown makes debut in second Japan Test

Former England international Jo Brown is set to make her Ireland debut in Saturday's second Test against Japan in Tokyo.

The flanker previously won seven caps for England, the most recent of which came in 2019, and has been able to switch international allegiance to Ireland due World Rugby's new eligibility rules.

The Worcester back row starts at blindside flanker in one of three changes for Saturday's second Test with Japan, following Ireland's impressive 57-22 win in the opening game in Shizuoka.

Brown replaces Dorothy Wall, who drops out due to injury, while influential second row Sam Monaghan is also unavailable.

In Monaghan's absence, Hannah O'Connor will move from number 8 into the second row, while Grace Moore will pack down at the base of the scrum.

The final change sees Laura Feely given a start at loosehead prop, where she will partner Neve Jones and Linda Djougang in the front row, the latter swapping across to tighthead.

The backline is unchanged, with Dannah O'Brien, Natasja Behan, Aoife Dalton and Méabh Deely continuing after their impressive debuts last week.

Two more first caps are likely to be handed out, with US-based Jess Keating, and Barnhall utility back Emma Tilly named on the bench.

Ireland: Méabh Deely; Natasja Behan, Aoife Dalton, Enya Breen, Aoife Doyle; Dannah O'Brien, Ailsa Hughes; Laura Feely, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Nichola Fryday (capt), Hannah O'Connor; Jo Brown, Edel McMahon, Grace Moore

Replacements: Emma Hooban, Chloe Pearse, Katie O'Dwyer, Taryn Schultzer, Jess Keating, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, Leah Tarpey, Emma Tilly

Follow Japan v Ireland (Saturday, 11am) via our live blog on rte.ie/sport and on the RTÉ News App.