"It was a shock" - Ireland's Andrew Porter and Jamie Osborne recall 2019 RWC defeat to Japan ahead of Autumn clash

Ireland are eyeing up a solid bounce back to winning form this weekend, with an early afternoon clash against Japan on Saturday. The Aviva is expecting a packed house for the 12:45pm KO, yet the match is by no means a foregone conclusion in favour of the men in green. Six years ago, Japan stunned Ireland with a triumph in the pool stages of their home hosted 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Leinster and Ireland star Jamie Osborne was just 17-years-old when he watched Ireland's now famous defeat in Shizuoka on the TV. Osborne recalled how he had to emotionally move on from the upset defeat, as he had a club match of his own to get stuck into back in Ireland. Speaking in a press conference earlier this week, Osborne said;

"I remember being very disappointed after it, but I was watching at home. I think I had a match on after that day of myself, so couldn't dwell on it too long. But, yeah, it was a disappointing day. But Andrew [Porter] also talked about the last time we played Japan and how good that was. So definitely looking to bring elements of that game in 2021 into this [week]."

Osborne echoed the statements of his Ireland and Leinster teammate Andrew Porter, as the prop had also looked back upon the trials and tribulations of yester-year in the build up to the weekend. Farrell's side licked their wounds following the opening Autumn Series defeat against the All Blacks, and are out to make amends this Saturday to put right their November campaign.

Porter was apart of the Ireland squad for both the 2019 Rugby World Cup defeat to Japan, and also in the 2021 Autumn Series victory shortly after the Covid pandemic. The prop was tasked to recall a trip down memory lane, and explain how the side recovered from the 19-12 shock in Shizuoka, to hand Japan a 60-5 hammering two years later, as Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Furlong collected milestone Test caps.

"I'm trying to remember back that many years ago [to 2019], but especially Japan, when they were playing at home, you can see what they want to do, they're good at throwing the ball around. They're good at exposing and capitalising on your mistakes as well. So, we're not going to do what we did on the weekend [against New Zealand] and that's compound errors. They'll take advantage of that.

"You can't underestimate any team at this level. I can't speak for the team, but maybe that's what happened in 2019. I was playing that day, came off the bench, so, and it was a shock. It was everything to play for, their home Rugby World Cup in 2019, and I'd say they'll probably be looking to take a few leaves out of their own book [this weekend]."

Ireland returned fire against Japan upon their next meeting, when the Brave Blossoms arrived in Dublin for the 2021 Autumn Internationals. Much like the current series, Ireland were booked in for an opening contest in the United States, however, the complications of the Covid pandemic cancelled their first round clash against the USA Eagles, that was scheduled to be hosted in Los Angeles. Ireland built back up their momentum to wipe the floor with Japan, before beating the All Blacks and Argentina for a solid run.

"And then, it was Johnny's [Sexton] 100th and Tadhg's [Furlong] 50th [against Japan, 2021]. When Johnny scored in the corner, then you remember the crowd, you remember the feeling of the Aviva erupting then. It was obviously incredibly special being back to crowds back then, after and such a crazy time with Covid and stuff. But, like we were chatting about, I suppose our performance then, we had New Zealand and Argentina in that same [Autumn] series. They were probably right that it [win over Japan] was a springboard, and a step in the right direction.

"We were looking back on that this morning. How can we get back to the way that feeling was. That cohesion was there as well, we had another Autumn Nations as well. So, it's crazy looking back. It's what, four years ago now, it was obviously an incredible day for Johnny [Sexton] and obviously Tadhg [Furlong].

"That was a great nation series to be part of. And, yeah, my memories trying to remember, trying to bring it all back now, but, and yeah, like, I remember, it felt like everything kind of clicked that day and and in that kind of in that series as well. So that's what we're looking to do now, after after game one is done and dusted. So now what we can do is focus on the last three games and and, and get that feeling back.

This week's preparations seem to have been as mentally enduring away from the grass, as they would have been physical upon the training pitch. Ireland have had to overcome a tough seven-day turn-around following a flight across the Atlantic, to return back to fighting shape for this second clash in a relentless Autumn Series. For Osborne however, there is no better way to get the side back in a positive mind-set than getting back across the whitewash.

"Anytime you lose a game, I think the next game is you just want to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and try and ride a few wrongs." Osborne said. "But, yeah, I think everyone's looking forward to getting back out in front of a home crowd for the first time in a while as well."

When looking at the incoming attacking arsenal that Japan have to wield, Osborne made no mistake about the dangerous pace that the Brave Blossoms possess in their back-line. Eddie Jones will be vying for a win, after his side lost the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup Final to Fiji and were then rolled over by the Springboks just last week, with national pride out to be restored by an ever-improving Japanese outfit.

"They're very dangerous." Osborne added. "They've got great feet, especially in the wide channels, and they like to move the ball to width. They play a bit deeper than we would, and a bit wider. So they'll throw it wide. They'll get the ball into the fifteens and attack square from there. So, you know, we have to be better defensively than we were on the weekend [against New Zealand] in terms of getting after them. It'll be definitely a challenge."

Porter reiterated the sentiment upon how the loose-head is under no false illusions, about how Japan are going to pose a tough threat to Ireland in what is a must win match for both sides. "There still a dangerous team. they've got an incredible attack. Eddie Jones will be kind of geeing them up for and they're a really well organised unit.

"Against South Africa on the weekend didn't go there the way they wanted it. But, they're still a great attacking threat, good set piece and a well organised unit. So we won't be taking them lightly and definitely won't be complacent about it at all. We feel that's the worst thing you can do is underestimate a team. We definitely won't be doing that."