Nobody really expected Ireland to beat the All Blacks in their first fixture of note since mid-March, did they? The utter dejection in the Irish camp suggests otherwise, and Andy Farrell has responded by making wholesale changes to the team for this Saturday's clash with the Brave Blossoms in Dublin. He isn't just demanding a win — his men are playing for their shirts.
You can watch Ireland vs Japan live streams from anywhere with a VPN and potentially for FREE.
The Ireland vs Japan game takes place on Saturday, November 8.
► Kick-off: 7:40 a.m. ET / 4:40 a.m. PT / 12:40 p.m. GMT / 11:40 p.m. AEDT
• FREE STREAM — RTÉ Player (Ireland)
• U.S. — Peacock
• Watch anywhere — Try NordVPN 100% risk free
Tadhg Beirne's early dismissal (which has since been rescinded) left Ireland a man down from the third minute, yet they still led 13-7 with 20 minutes to play. Three unanswered tries in the final quarter, however, flipped the script and have turned the spotlight towards the missed tackles, sloppy lineouts and late collapse.
Munster star Tom Farrell makes his debut and captain Caelan Doris starts for the first time since injuring his shoulder last May. Jack Crowley, who scored eight points and crackled with creativity, but also conceded the penalty that turned the tide, retains his place at fly-half.
This fixture inevitably conjures up memories of Japan's sensational upset at the 2019 World Cup, but the chances of a repeat seem slim. Eddie Jones' men suffered a nine-try, 7-61 humiliation at the hands of South Africa last weekend, the sole positive being Waseda University student Yoshitaka Yazaki's try. Jones has made a switch at scrum-half, bringing in Naoto Saito for Shinobu Fujiwara, and dropped captain Michael Leitch to the bench.
Here's how to watch Ireland vs Japan in Autumn Nations Series 2025 from anywhere in the world, and potentially for free.
How to watch Ireland vs Japan for FREE
You can watch Ireland vs Japan free-of-charge on RTÉ Player in Ireland.
You don't even need an account — just head to RTE2, click the free stream and you'll be good to go.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch the action as if you were right at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options and we'll show you how to access it below.
Watch Ireland vs Japan from anywhere
Away from home and blocked from watching Ireland vs Japan?
You can still watch your usual rugby live streams thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software makes your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Ideal for football fans away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
It's really easy to use a VPN to watch Ireland vs Japan.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you want to watch your RTÉ Player stream of Ireland vs Japan, choose 'Ireland' from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to RTÉ Player, sign in, and watch the Ireland vs Japan game live.
How to watch Ireland vs Japan live streams in the U.S.
Rugby fans in the U.S. can watch Ireland vs Japan, along with every 2025 end-of-year rugby union international, Peacock.
You'll need a Premium subscription, starting from $10.99/month. Or you can add access to Apple TV, from $14.99/month.
If you already use the service but aren't in the U.S. right now, you can live stream Ireland vs Japan by using a good VPN.
How to watch Ireland vs Japan live streams in Canada
In Canada, DAZN is streaming Ireland vs Japan, along with every remaining every other 2025 end-of-year rugby union international.
DAZN starts at CA$24.99/month if you commit to a year. Pay for a year up-front and it'll cost CA$250. DAZN has apps on pretty much every streaming platform around. It also holds the NFL, Europa League and Champions League rights.
If you're on holiday outside Canada, you can still tap into coverage by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
How to watch Ireland vs Japan live streams in the U.K.
In the U.K., Ireland vs Japan coverage is being provided by TNT Sports 3.
You can stream TNT Sports live online by subscribing to the Discovery Plus Premium plan for £30.99/month, or you can add TNT Sports through Sky, BT, EE or Virgin Media to watch via your television provider.
If you're abroad right now you can still follow your usual Ireland vs Japan live stream by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
How to watch Ireland vs Japan live streams in Australia
Stan Sport is showing Ireland vs Japan in Australia, along with every other 2025 Autumn international.
A subscription costs AU$32 for the Basic Plan with the Stan Sport add-on. That will also get you access to a host of other sport, including the Premier League and Champions League.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on Stan Sport as if you were back home.
How to watch Ireland vs Japan live streams in New Zealand
Kiwis can catch the Ireland vs Japan game on Sky Sport Now. This costs $29.99/day, $54.99/month or $549.99/year.
Sky Sport in New Zealand is also the home of Formula 1, Premier League soccer, and countless other sports from around the world.
If you're on holiday from the Emeral Isle, you can still tap into your free Ireland vs Japan stream by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch Ireland vs Japan in 4K UHD?
To watch the 2025 end-of-year rugby international in 4K, you'll need the Australia-based Stan Sport. It offers ad-free coverage of every game, with the Stan Sport add-on costing $20. You'll also need the Stan Premium base plan, which is $22 per month.
Ireland vs Japan Team News
Ireland XV: 15 Osborne, 14 O'Brien, 13 T Farrell, 12 Henshaw, 11 Stockdale, 10 Crowley, 9 Casey ; 1 Porter, 2 Kelleher, 3 Clarkson, 4 Ryan, 5 Beirne, 6 Baird, 7 Timoney, 8 Doris
Japan XV: 15 Yazaki, 14 Ishida, 13 Riley, 12 Lawrence, 11 Osada, 10 Lee, 9 Sait ; 1 Kobayashi, 2 Sato, 3 Takeuchi, 4 Uluiviti, 5 Dearns, 6 Gunter, 7 Shimokawa, 8 Makisi
More from Tom's Guide
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
