IRE 42-14 JPN: Slick Ireland shine against spirited Japan

NORTHAMPTON – Ireland opened their Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign with a 42-14 win at Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday but Japan more than played their part in an entertaining Pool C contest.

Story of the match

In the build-up to the match, Ireland talked about the importance of a fast start and they were true to their word, scoring two tries in the opening 10 minutes as they dominated possession.

Japan hit back with a try through Haruka Hirotsu before Beibhinn Parsons – playing at RWC 2025 after recovering from two broken legs last year – finished off a sweeping team move and Fiona Tuite benefited from Eve Higgins’ break to give Ireland a four-try bonus point by half-time.

It was Japan who started the second half quickly, Masami Kawamura scoring from close range. But they couldn’t make the most of their other promising moments and Higgins put Ireland clear with a breakaway try before Enya Breen added a sixth.

Dannah O'Brien kicked all six conversions.

Mastercard Player of the Match

Brittany Hogan was part of an impressive Ireland defensive effort, leading the way with 12 tackles to restrict a dangerous Japan team to just one offload and nine defenders beaten.

“First time back in the Women’s World Cup [since 2017], but what a start,” she said. “We made sure that we came out [fast], and the tries that the girls scored in the first half were electric. It was a full squad performance, I’m just so proud of the girls today.

“I was a wee bit embarrassed to be Player of the Match, I don’t like the cameras, I prefer to work in the background!”

Coach insight

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand described it as a “funny game”. He said: “Credit to Japan, they don’t give up. We said they’d be disciplined and well-organised and would present a formidable challenge.

“Really pleasing to get a bonus point before halftime. You’re acclimatising to tournament rugby, finding the rhythm, so it was important to get our game going and get on the board. There’s always bits to work at. A far from perfect performance but stacked with bits to be happy with.”

Japan head coach Lesley McKenzie said: “You can’t fault them on the effort, especially the response in the second half to a first half that wasn’t where we wanted it to be.

“I would really have enjoyed that game had I not been coaching it. What a game, I reckon that was the game of the round.

“If we can take the positives, the ambition and the physicality that you saw in the second half then we’ll be all right [against New Zealand], we’ll be able to our game on the field, and that’s what we want next week.”

Stat of the Day

1 – The number of players in Ireland’s squad who had appeared at a Women’s Rugby Cup before today. Cliodhna Moloney Macdonald came off the bench to play in her second tournament.

Next steps

Ireland stay in Northampton, where they will play Spain on Sunday, 31 August, before Japan take on reigning champions New Zealand at Sandy Park, Exeter.