Ireland score six tries to beat Japan in World Cup opener

Ireland began their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign with a commanding 42-14 victory over Japan at Franklin’s Gardens, showcasing a blend of physicality, accuracy, and effective set-piece play. Under coach Scott Bemand, Ireland's team leveraged knowledge transferred from men's rugby to bolster their set-piece strength, contributing to a dominant first half with four tries and securing a bonus point before halftime. Key moments included Amee-Leigh Costigan's opening try, Neve Jones scoring from a maul, and an outstanding solo try by Eve Higgins that helped secure the win after Japan's spirited fightback. Despite some early handling errors and lineout issues, Ireland's overall performance was their highest-ever points tally in a World Cup match, signaling their readiness for tougher challenges ahead, including a looming match against defending champions New Zealand. Japan showed resilience and skill, scoring twice in both halves, but Ireland's superior physicality and tactical execution proved decisive. This match sets Ireland just 80 minutes from a guaranteed quarter-final spot, highlighting their evolution and strength in the tournament.