Ireland player ratings v Japan | WXV Global Series 2026

Scott Bemand’s Ireland got back to winning ways with a 31-24 result against Japan in Galway.

It was not quite a complete performance at Dexcom Stadium, but the fifth-ranked team in the world did enough to recover from their 40-36 defeat at the hands of the USA Women’s Eagles in style.

Béibhinn Parsons became her country’s all-time leading try-scorer with a brace in her home province, while Brittany Hogan also dotted down twice in a Player of the Match performance from the flanker. Aoife Dalton also got a try in her second-half cameo.

Here is how Ireland’s players rated in Galway…

15 Stacey Flood – 6.5

In many ways, it was the typical Stacey Flood performance. The full-back linked up play excellently from the backfield and consistently kept Ireland moving forward. It was a metronomic performance from the 30-year-old, who helped her team get back to winning ways after a disappointing weekend in Dublin last time out.

14 Béibhinn Parsons – 7.5

Parsons enjoyed the freedom of Galway, scoring her team’s third try in the 36th minute before doubling down in the second half to become Ireland’s all-time leading try-scorer with 24 Test tries. You cannot say that Béibhinn Parsons was not heavily involved in this game. She made 14 carries for over 100 metres, all on top of her two tries. It is hard not to be impressed by Parsons’ try-scoring record, with the winger now having as many Test tries as she does years of age.

13 Anna McGann – 6

Anna McGann looked comfortable in a starting jersey and was on the pitch for the full 80 minutes in Galway. The centre completed 12 carries and made 13 tackles, one of which stopped a certain try in the first half. There were no fireworks, but it was not a bad performance either.

12 Eve Higgins – 5

Replaced in the 44th minute, Eve Higgins did not have a major influence on Ireland’s afternoon. In the first half, we saw some good hustle from the centre in defence, but we did not get to see all that much of her in attack. Seven carries yielded nine metres, while she completed six tackles.

11 Vicky Elmes Kinlan – 5

Compared to a week ago, when Vicky Elmes Kinlan got plenty of hands on the ball in Dublin, the wing was much quieter in Galway as Parsons starred.

10 Dannah O’Brien – 6.5

We saw a nice bit of variety in Dannah O’Brien’s play at Dexcom Stadium. The out-half displayed some good kicking as Ireland looked to make the most of the conditions in Galway and linked play well with her passing. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old did turn over the ball a game-high four times, which did invite pressure on the hosts.

9 Aoibheann Reilly – 7

Really, really lively. Aoibheann Reilly’s reintroduction to the starting XV saw an added spark introduced to this Ireland team. Especially busy when in the Japan 22, her pick-up from the base of the ruck led to Hogan’s second try.

1 Niamh O’Dowd – 7.5

A really top-class performance from Niamh O’Dowd. The loosehead did all the things you’d expect from a prop, with Ireland’s scrum in top form. Where O’Dowd excelled was in defence, where she registered a team-high 20 tackles before she exited the fray for Sadhbh McGrath.

2 Neve Jones – 7

Came in and helped the lineout function for Ireland. During her time on the pitch, the set-piece functioned with a 100% success rate, and the Gloucester-Hartpury hooker also got involved in defence, where she made 13 tackles.

3 Eilís Cahill – 6.5

It was a really strong first start for Eilís Cahill. Ireland used the tighthead prop to knock down doors, something which paved the way for Hogan’s first try. She also scrummaged really well before being replaced by Linda Djougang after 44 minutes.

4 Dorothy Wall – 7

Much like the first half of Ireland’s loss to the USA Women’s Eagles a week ago, Dorothy Wall was her team’s and the game’s chief ball-carrier. The consistency that the Exeter Chiefs lock offers in that area of the game is unerring. She also made an impressive 14 tackles and helped her team’s lineout to a 90% success rate.

5 Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan – 6.5

A solid, unassuming spell on the turf for Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan. As you have come to expect from the lock, she does everything well without too much praise. On Sunday, this included nine carries and a positive performance in the lineout.

6 Brittany Hogan – 8

A starter in all five of Ireland’s 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixtures, Brittany Hogan scored two tries within 40 minutes of her return to Ireland’s starting XV. Each time, the flanker benefited from the advances made by other teammates, but still had to show good leg drive to get over the whitewash. One of her team’s top ball-carriers, Hogan was central to Ireland’s victory.

7 Erin King – 6

Not the most impactful afternoon from Ireland’s captain. Usually, you expect to see Erin King near the top of the charts for carries and tackles, but this Sunday she was not. Sent to the sin bin at the end of the first half for going off her feet, King was off the pitch as Japan’s Moe Nagaoka crossed the try line twice to get the Sakura Fifteen back in the contest.

8 Jemima Adams Verling – 7

Grew as the fixture went on. In the second half, we got to see Jemima Adams Verling thrive with ball in hand and make some rangy carries to drive Ireland forward. She left the pitch having made seven carries for 56 metres, beaten three defenders and made nine tackles.

Replacements – 7.5

The addition of Aoife Dalton just after half-time really helped Ireland see this game out. Her touch of brilliance to charge down a kick in midfield, gather the ball and score was proof enough of that. Emily Lane also had a good showing from the bench, as did Grace Moore, Linda Djougang and Sadhbh McGrath.