Ireland got a second successive win in the Nations Championship under their belt at the weekend, overcoming a dogged Japan team on a 36-20 scoreline.
It was a performance that left quite a bit to be desired from Andy Farrell’s side, although they were certainly deserving of the victory. Japan performed quite well in the game, especially in the scrum.
Eddie Jones’ men were also at a disadvantage in that their officially designated home game was played at a neutral venue. Instead of the fixture taking place in Tokyo, it was held in Newcastle two hours outside of Sydney.
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World Rugby opted to play this game at neutral venue in order to cut down on the travel time being asked of Ireland, with this fixture sandwiched between away matches against Australia and New Zealand.
It is a move that some are far from impressed with.
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Speaking on For The Love Of Rugby, former England scrumhalf Ben Youngs labelled the move as ‘b******s’.
It is utter nonsense. It’s b******s.
Why have they played in Australia? It’s because Ireland play New Zealand next week. If anything, they’ve just done it to benefit Ireland.
Japan have had to travel, Japan should be playing at home. I don’t get it…
Every other nation has got to travel. Everyone else is doing it. That’s the bit I don’t understand.
You talk about trying to grow the game and do all that. There is a big Japanese market.
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Of course, the irony of this being said on the same weekend that England played an ‘away’ fixture against Fiji in Liverpool will not be lost on Ireland supporters.
A number of fixtures in this summer’s Nations Championship have taken place outside of the designated home nation, with Wales and Scotland also hosting Fiji despite those being viewed as away fixtures for the Six Nations sides.
While Japan have every right to feel aggrieved over the decision, former England players are hardly in a position to complain considering their own team’s schedule.
Ireland will take on New Zealand in Auckland this weekend to cap off their summer schedule. The Nations Championship will then continue in the autumn, with Andy Farrell’s side side hosting Argentina, Fiji, and South Africa at the Aviva Stadium.