Ireland open with six-try win over Japan to give them hope of making last eight
Irish too strong for Japan as they eased to 42-14 win in Brighton with six different scorers
The shadow of the defending champions, New Zealand, looms over Pool C and on that basis Ireland could not afford to lose. They kicked off their World Cup campaign with a fluent win, in which every element of their game functioned well on the immaculate Franklin’s Gardens pitch.
Japan won the previous match between these two, a 29-10 victory in 2022, and had they upset the odds it would hardly have represented a sequel to the Miracle of Brighton. But Ireland are a different proposition under Scott Bemand and their physicality and accuracy, for the most part, was just too much for their willing opponents. Japan were outclassed and overpowered, but two converted tries gave their impressive supporters something to shout about.
“We got what we wanted,” Bemand said. “Coming into an event like this with a young and inexperienced group comes with a lot of unknowns. Japan are a very good team: organised, disciplined and they don’t give up. We scored tries with some variety, we’ve shown forward power and backs prowess, but we’re going to need to be better each week.”
Some rock-solid maul defence first up showed Japan would not be intimidated, but the Ireland wing Amee-Leigh Costigan was soon flying over in the corner after handing off Komachi Imakugi. Neve Jones scored a well‑taken second from a powerful maul, Dannah O’Brien kicking the second of six conversions, and Ireland were showing precision and power.
Costigan timed a pass perfectly for Beibhinn Parsons on the right, and she raced to the corner for a beautifully orchestrated try. Haruka Hirotsu crossed to get Japan on the board after 29 minutes, but Fiona Tuite added Ireland’s fourth three minutes before half-time.
Japan came out in determined mood and, when the No 6 Masami Kawamura pushed over on 43 minutes, it seemed like Ireland’s defence might wilt in the Northamptonshire heat. Five minutes later, though, came the ultimate momentum-shifter when with brilliant anticipation Eve Higgins snatched a loose pass and ran the length of the field to score.
Ireland had a penalty try disallowed, for a maul infringement by Sam Monaghan, but stayed in the ascendancy and Enya Breen, on as a replacement, added a sixth try. The prop Linda Djougang was sent to the sin‑bin on 69 minutes but it mattered little.
A quarter-final against France looks most likely for Ireland, but if they keep improving they will give the Black Ferns a serious test on the south coast on 7 September. Spain are up next for Bemand’s side, next weekend here in Northampton.
“We’ll take Spain seriously,” Bemand said. “They’re a good team with a strong sevens background … We want to keep building momentum and keep giving people something to get after. We want to show people what we can do.”
After facing Spain, Ireland will prepare in earnest for New Zealand: on this evidence it might just be their own Miracle of Brighton.