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 victory, 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 their own Miracle of Brighton from the men’s World Cup in 2015. 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, in truth, but two converted tries gave their impressive supporters something to shout about.
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 powerfully handing off the Japan wing Komachi Imakugi. Neve Jones scored a well-taken second from a powerful maul, Dannah O’Brien kicking the second of six conversions, and Ireland had begun with precision and power.
Even when the basics such as lineout and scrum are working well, decison-making must be on-point, demonstrated by Costigan as she timed a pass perfectly for her sevens colleague Beibhinn Parsons on the right. Parsons raced to the corner for a beautifully orchestrated score, albeit one aided by Imakugi rushing out of the defensive line. Such was Costigan’s organisation she was first there to celebrate, too.
Haruka Hirotsu crossed for Japan, getting them on the board after 29 minutes – despite a brilliant try-saving tackle by Stacey Flood earlier in the move – but Fiona Tuite added Ireland’s fourth three minutes before half-time.
Eve Higgins dives over for Ireland’s fifth try after catching a careless Japan pass and running 80 metres to turn defence into attack. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA
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. Japan had passed their way almost under the Ireland posts, bringing the crowd to their feet with an audacious raid on the left.
But a careless pass was snatched by Eve Higgins, showing brilliant anticipation and vision. The inside-centre jinked away and galloped 80 metres to dive under the Japanese posts. The conversion made it a 21-point game at 35-14, instead of Japan pulling to within seven.
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Ireland had a penalty try disallowed, for a maul infringement by Sam Monaghan, but they stayed in the ascendancy, and replacement Enya Breen added a sixth try. Linda Djougang, the prop, 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, before they can prepare in earnest for New Zealand. On this evidence it might just be their own miracle of Brighton.
AloJapan.com