Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
Ireland announce World Cup return with six-try win over Japan
Ireland marked their return to women’s rugby’s biggest stage after an eight-year absence with an emphatic 42-14 bonus-point victory over Japan at sun-soaked Franklin’s Gardens, delivering the statement performance that banished memories of their qualification heartbreak in 2021. The triumph showcased the attacking potency and renewed confidence that has transformed Scott Bemand’s squad from wooden spoon recipients to genuine World Cup contenders.
Key moments:
5′ – Amee-Leigh Costigan opens scoring after slick backline move; Dannah O’Brien converts (7-0)
10′ – Neve Jones powers over from lineout maul; Dannah O’Brien converts (14-0)
24′ – Béibhinn Parsons finishes brilliant passing sequence; Dannah O’Brien converts (21-0)
29′ – Haruka Hirotsu responds for Japan after patient build-up; Ayasa Otsuka converts (21-7)
37′ – Fiona Tuite claims bonus-point try following Eve Higgins magic; Dannah O’Brien converts (28-7)
43′ – Masami Kawamura burrows over to give Japan hope; Ayasa Otsuka converts (28-14)
53′ – Eve Higgins intercepts and races 95 metres to seal victory; Dannah O’Brien converts (35-14)
63′ – Enya Breen adds gloss with sixth try; Dannah O’Brien converts (42-14)
The significance of this moment was not lost on a squad containing just one player with World Cup experience – replacement hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald. Yet any nerves were quickly dispelled as Ireland burst from the blocks with purposeful intent, targeting the fast start that had eluded them in recent warm-up fixtures.
A big opening W! 💚#WeAreIreland pic.twitter.com/VAd5MYZnX8
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 24, 2025
Early pressure in warm conditions saw Brittany Hogan and scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly denied at the line, but Ireland’s persistence paid dividends after five minutes. When Dannah O’Brien moved possession wide through Eve Higgins and Stacey Flood, Amee-Leigh Costigan brushed off the final defender to race home for the opener.
Ireland’s driving maul proved equally destructive five minutes later. After prop Wako Kitano was penalised for failing to roll away, O’Brien found the corner and the pack executed their lineout process perfectly. Sam Monaghan took the ball down and Neve Jones finished the drive for her 13th international score.
The Irish lineout struggled throughout the opening period, losing four throws and inviting unnecessary pressure. Japan threatened through out-half Ayasa Otsuka’s positional kicking and centre Haruka Hirotsu’s powerful carries, but failed to capitalise fully on these opportunities.
Ireland absorbed the pressure and struck again on 24 minutes with the try of the tournament. From scrum possession, Higgins carried to the line before releasing to Costigan, who came off her wing to resist a long pass before floating the ball perfectly to Béibhinn Parsons. The winger did well to gather but once in possession was never going to be stopped in the race to the corner.
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 24: Beibhinn Parsons of Ireland scores her team’s third try during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C match between Ireland and Japan at Franklin’s Gardens on August 24, 2025 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Morgan Harlow – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Japan’s response came five minutes later, taking advantage of an overcooked O’Brien kick and a sloppy pass from Hogan. Flood initially saved a certain try with a superb tackle on wing Komachi Imakugi in the corner, but two phases later Hirotsu powered over to get the visitors on the scoreboard.
However, any hopes of a Japanese revival were extinguished before the interval by Higgins’ moment of individual brilliance. The centre shot through the smallest of gaps before beating two more defenders in the 22, managing to get a hand free to lay off the softest of passes to Fiona Tuite. The flanker touched down close to the posts for her first international try, securing the bonus point and giving Ireland a commanding 28-7 half-time lead.
Lesley McKenzie’s half-time words had the desired effect as Japan struck just three minutes into the second period. Reilly was penalised for failing to roll away, and from the subsequent lineout penalty, Japan’s driving maul created the platform. Though initially stopped, they stayed patient and flanker Masami Kawamura eventually powered over.
Japan looked certain to score again moments later when some weak Irish tackling in a disjointed defensive line saw Kawamura and Imakugi work their way into the 22. Winger Misaki Matsumura was stopped just short, but as scrum-half Moe Tsukui prepared to deliver what seemed the scoring pass, Eve Higgins struck with devastating effect.
The centre’s interception from five metres out sparked a full-length sprint down the immaculate Franklin’s Gardens pitch that electrified the crowd. Diving under the posts to a huge cheer from the boisterous supporters, Higgins had delivered the crucial score that effectively ended Japanese hopes of an unlikely comeback.
Ireland were briefly denied a penalty try when Japan brought down a maul close to the line, with TMO spotting an obstruction penalty against Monaghan at the lineout. However, substitute Enya Breen, just on as replacement for the superb Higgins, soon applied the finishing touches. The replacement fielded a brilliant flat pass from Reilly close to the line for Ireland’s sixth try.
Linda Djougang was sent to the sin-bin for preventing a quick tap penalty, giving Japan numerical superiority for the final minutes. However, they could not breach Ireland’s resilient defence again as the hosts closed out a memorable victory.
Player of the match Brittany Hogan led Ireland’s forward dominance, logging 10 carries for almost 40 metres including 21 post-contact metres, alongside 15 successful tackles in a tireless 74-minute shift. The Old Belvedere and Ulster star’s work rate at breakdown and in tight exchanges provided the platform for Ireland’s expansive game plan.
“I don’t like the cameras, I’d rather stay in the background and work hard to be honest,” quipped the modest Hogan after receiving her specially-designed trophy. “I was really surprised at the end of it. We had so many good performances across the board, but that’s what you need to be a world-class outfit.”
Dannah O’Brien’s flawless kicking display saw the 21-year-old fly-half land all six conversions, whilst her tactical awareness and precision belied her years in directing Ireland’s attacking patterns.
“It’s probably one of the best performances we’ve ever put in as a team,” declared injured back row Dorothy Wall from the sidelines. “From set-piece to how we managed the game, we executed well.”
Co-captain Edel McMahon praised the squad’s composure despite their World Cup inexperience. “There was a nice cool, calm and collected energy this morning,” she reflected. “This was a first World Cup game for the majority of the squad, all bar one, but it did not feel like it.”
The victory’s significance extends beyond the scoreline, representing redemption for a programme that hit rock bottom with their 2021 qualifying elimination. Hogan, who was on the pitch during that painful defeat to Scotland in Parma, spoke emotionally about the journey back.
“First time back in the Women’s Rugby World Cup in eight years, but what a beginning,” she said. “We haven’t been here since 2017 so could have went into our shells, but that first-half performance was great.”
The result positions Ireland perfectly in Pool C, with Spain awaiting next Sunday before the blockbuster clash with New Zealand. Head coach Bemand hinted that Six Nations Player of the Tournament Aoife Wafer could feature against Spain, having joined the squad following knee surgery rehabilitation.
The 42 points represents Ireland’s highest-ever World Cup tally, announcing their return to the sport’s biggest stage with authority. If they can address their lineout concerns whilst maintaining this attacking intensity, Ireland may finally end their long wait for World Cup progress and establish themselves amongst the game’s elite nations.
-
Champions Cup3 weeks agoLeinster survive Toulon scare to reach Champions Cup final
-
Super Rugby Pacific1 week agoChiefs crush Highlanders but McKenzie blow clouds Hamilton rout
-
Super Rugby Pacific2 weeks agoSuper Rugby Pacific 2026: Round 13 preview
-
England4 days agoEngland call up South African-born van Rensburg for training camp
-
Champions Cup3 weeks agoBordeaux overpower Bath to set up Leinster final in Bilbao
-
Super Rugby Pacific6 days agoFehi Fineanganofo equals try record as Hurricanes rout Blues
-
Super Rugby Pacific2 weeks agoSititi and Taukei’aho doubles help Chiefs hold off gutsy Reds
-
United Rugby Championship2 weeks agoBKT United Rugby Championship Round 17 preview