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James Tracy, Kieran Treadwell set for first Ireland starts vs. Japan

Kieran Treadwell came off the bench to win his first Ireland cap during the first Test against Japan. Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images

Leinster hooker James Tracy and Ulster lock Kieran Treadwell have been handed their first Test starts for Ireland in Saturday's rematch with Japan in Tokyo.

Tracy, who won his third cap as replacement during last weekend's 50-22 victory over Japan in Shizuoka, and Treadwell, who made his debut off the bench last time out, have been given the chance to lay down a marker ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

Ulster-bound scrum-half John Cooney, who has had stints at Leinster and Connacht, is also poised to win his first cap off the bench.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt brought eight uncapped players on tour and seven of them - Andrew Porter, Dave Heffernan, James Ryan, Treadwell, Rory Scannell, Rory O'Loughlin and Jacob Stockdale - have seen game-time during the US and Japanese legs.

Now, Cooney is set to become the eight and final member of the touring squad to make his Test debut.

Dan Leavy, Luke McGrath and Simon Zebo were the only players not considered for selection for Ireland's final game of the season.

Ireland team to play Japan:

Conway; Earls, Ringrose, Marshall, Stockdale; Jackson, Marmion; Healy, Tracy, Jo. Ryan; Treadwell, Toner; Ruddock (captain), van der Flier, Conan.

Replacements: N. Scannell, Kilcoyne, Porter, Ja. Ryan, Reidy, Cooney, R. Scannell, O'Halloran.