Nations Championship 2026: Ireland back uncapped props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo before Japan game

Scrum coach John Fogarty says the Ireland backroom team have been impressed with uncapped props Billy Bohan and Sam Illo, who are hoping to make their Test debuts against Japan this week.

Bohan, 20, is pushing for a first outing at loose-head with Jeremy Loughman ruled out after sustaining a concussion in Saturday’s win over Australia.

Illo – Bohan’s Connacht team-mate – could feature at tight-head if Tadhg Furlong is rested before the All Blacks game on 18 July.

“There’s a reason they’re here,” said Fogarty.

“Both Billy and Sam have performed well throughout the season. They’ve put their hands up and we’re seeing that form in training.

“It’s been brilliant. It’s been exactly what we’d wanted for them. The learnings are huge and to be around the other more experienced props and be around Andy [Farrell], Paul [O’Connell], Goody [Andrew Goodman], Johnny [Sexton], Simon [Easterby], and get reviewed and understand what it’s going to take to become an international player, we’re seeing that and I’m sure they’re feeling that throughout the week.

“It’s been brilliant. It’s exciting, isn’t it?”

After a dramatic victory over the Wallabies in Sydney, Ireland face Eddie Jones’ Japan, who opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 27-10 win over Italy in Tokyo.

The Brave Blossoms started that game with uncapped university student Ryunosuke Ito at fly-half, while full-back Takuro Matsunaga contributed 17 points.

Ireland comfortably beat Japan 41-10 in Dublin in November, but Fogarty is expecting a stiff challenge in Newcastle on Saturday (11:10 BST).

“It’s not easy to knock over Italy. 27-10 was a good score. At scrum time, they’re always unbelievably organised,” he said.

“They’re really well coached. Japan are always very compact, very organised, quick to hit and always get to a really good height.

“If there’s little inaccuracies with your timing, you’ll get exposed, so we’re making sure we’re preparing properly for what’s going to be a tough game.”