Ireland Women

42 - 14

Full Time

Japan Women

Ireland Women vs Japan Women

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

The 80 minutes is up! The referee has blown their whistle to end the second half.

79'

This is dangerous for the defence as Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.

78'

Sadhbh McGrath comes on.

75'

Edel McMahon comes off.

75'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Emily Lane getting some game time.

73'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Aoibheann Reilly being replaced.

73'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Grace Moore getting some game time.

73'

Ireland decide to make a substitution, with Brittany Hogan being replaced.

73'

A gap opened in the defence and Sakurako Hatada took full advantage.

69'

Yellow Card

Linda Djougang (Ireland) is shown a yellow card

68'

Japan make a substitution with Sakurako Hatada coming on.

67'

Japan make a substitution with Komachi Imakugi coming off.

67'

Japan sub Kotomi Taniguchi comes onto the field.

63'

Asuka Kuge departs for Japan.

63'

Conversion

The Ireland supporters go wild as Dannah O'Brien successfully kicks the conversion.

63'

Try

Ireland are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Enya Breen touching down.

62'

The defensive line has been broken as Enya Breen goes through the gap.

62'

Spellbinding play by Aoibheann Reilly is finished off with a try.

62'

Japan sub Minori Yamamoto comes onto the field.

60'

Sora Nishimura departs for Japan.

60'

Japan sub Megumi Abe comes onto the field.

60'

Moe Tsukui departs for Japan.

60'

Japan sub Kyoko Hosokawa comes onto the field.

60'

Seina Saito departs for Japan.

60'

Japan sub Manami Mine comes onto the field.

60'

Sachiko Kato departs for Japan.

60'

Ireland sub Anna McGann comes onto the field.

60'

Amee-Leigh Costigan departs for Ireland.

60'

Ireland sub Enya Breen comes onto the field.

60'

Eve Higgins departs for Ireland.

60'

Ireland sub Eimear Corri-Fallon comes onto the field.

60'

Ruth Campbell departs for Ireland.

60'

Ireland sub Ellena Perry comes onto the field.

60'

Niamh O'Dowd departs for Ireland.

60'

Ireland sub Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald comes onto the field.

60'

Neve Jones departs for Ireland.

60'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Dannah O'Brien kicks the conversion.

53'

Try

A perfectly timed interception by Eve Higgins allows them to score the try.

52'

What a run here by Eve Higgins as they get over the gainline!

52'

What a run here by Misaki Matsumura as they get over the gainline!

52'

What a run here by Masami Kawamura as they get over the gainline!

51'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Ayano Sakurai getting some game time.

49'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Otoka Yoshimura being replaced.

49'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Nijiho Nagata getting some game time.

49'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Wako Kitano being replaced.

49'

Conversion

Ayasa Otsuka adds the two points for Japan.

43'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Masami Kawamura dots the ball down from close range.

42'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Conversion

Dannah O'Brien does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

37'

Try

Incisive passing by Ireland is finished off by Fiona Tuite, as they goes over for the try.

36'

Eve Higgins sets up the try.

36'

Fabulous play by Ireland has led to Eve Higgins being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Trouble here as Beibhinn Parsons breaches the defence.

33'

Conversion

Ayasa Otsuka makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

29'

Try

The pressure has finally told as Haruka Hirotsu scores from close range.

28'

Spellbinding play by Moe Tsukui is finished off with a try.

28'

Conversion

Dannah O'Brien makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

24'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Ireland is finished off by Beibhinn Parsons

23'

That's a great try assist by Amee-Leigh Costigan.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Amee-Leigh Costigan bursts through to advance the Ireland attack.

23'

A gap opened in the defence and Masami Kawamura took full advantage.

16'

Conversion

Dannah O'Brien converts the try.

10'

Try

Nobody could stop that maul! Neve Jones places the ball down for the try.

Conversion

Dannah O'Brien has kicked a conversion.

Try

A stunning solo try from Amee-Leigh Costigan

The defensive line has been broken as Amee-Leigh Costigan goes through the gap.

That's a great try assist by Stacey Flood.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Ireland Women v Japan Women 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Sun 24th August 2025, 04:00am PDT 
  
 cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens 
  
 Paramount+ 
  
 Clara Munarini

Points Flow Chart

Ireland Women win +28

Time in lead

Mins in lead

98%

% Of Game In Lead

85%

Possession Last 10 min

15%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Djougang

42 - 14

68'

O'Brien

42 - 14

63'

Breen

40 - 14

62'

O'Brien

35 - 14

53'

Higgins

33 - 14

52'

Otsuka

43'

28 - 14

Kawamura

42'

28 - 12

Half Time

O'Brien

28 - 7

37'

Tuite

26 - 7

36'

Otsuka

29'

21 - 7

Hirotsu

28'

21 - 5

O'Brien

21 - 0

24'

Parsons

19 - 0

23'

O'Brien

14 - 0

10'

Jones

12 - 0

O'Brien

7 - 0

Costigan

5 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.2

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

1.5

Entries

Attack Profile

Ireland Women

Japan Women

More Less

Defence Profile

Ireland Women

Japan Women

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

76%

45%

3-6 secs

20%

44%

6+ secs

11%

107

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

59'

61'

68'

73'

Ireland Women

Japan Women

Ireland Women vs Japan Women Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Ireland Women face off against Japan Women in Women's Rugby World Cup Round 1 on Sun 24th August 2025 at cinch Stadium at Franklin's Gardens. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 12:00 and is broadcast on BBC iPlayer, BBC. In South Africa it’s at 13:00 SAST on SuperSport, 23:00 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 21:00 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 04:00 EST on Paramount+ in the US.

Ireland Women won the last encounter but both teams are in the same form for their last 5 games.

World Rankings

Heading into the fixture, Ireland Women sits at 5 in the World Rugby Rankings, while Japan Women holds 11.

The two sides are separated by 6 places in the rankings with Ireland Women in position 5 and Japan Women in position 11 as such Ireland Women are favourites on paper.

Ireland Women vs Japan Women Squads

The official squads for Ireland Women vs Japan Women will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.