Ireland scores seven tries to defeat Japan 43-19 at Virgin Media Park in Cork

First-half turnaround in Cork

Ireland recorded a 43-19 victory over Japan at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday, crossing the try line seven times to complete back-to-back wins over the visitors. The home side conceded early when Sakurako Korai burrowed over the line in the fifth minute following three Irish penalties, with Maiko Nishi adding the conversion. Ireland responded after Emily Lane had a try ruled out because referee Clara Munarini obstructed a Japanese tackler. Munster prop Eilís Cahill then drove over under the posts for her first international try, allowing Dannah O'Brien to convert and tie the match at 7-7. Japan lost lock Masami Kawamura to a yellow card in the 25th minute for cynically slowing the ball in a ruck near the line. Ireland exploited the numerical advantage immediately through a maul try from Brittany Hogan, her third try against Japan in seven days. Dannah O'Brien then kicked a 50-22 into touch, and after centre Aoife Dalton joined an advancing maul, Neve Jones broke around the outside to score before Anna McGann added a fourth try to secure a 22-7 halftime lead.

Second-half control and debut tries

Ireland extended their advantage two minutes after the restart when wing Beibhinn Parsons touched down for her 25th international try. O'Brien added the conversion after Parsons accelerated through a flowing backline move, having previously set the try-scoring benchmark with two tries against Japan in Galway. Japan mounted a second-half response through patient play that led to a try from teenager Nami Asari, followed by a maul touchdown from Nijiho Nagata that cut the deficit to 10 points. Replacements Alana McInerney and Sophie Barrett halted the comeback by crossing for Ireland's sixth and seventh tries on their international debuts. Dannah O'Brien and Enya Breen shared the kicking duties across the match, converting two tries each to seal the 24-point winning margin.

Squad rotation and depth

Head coach Scott Bemand handed first international starts to Munster lock Jane Clohessy and Trailfinders full-back Niamh Gallagher. Debuts were also awarded off the bench to McInerney, Barrett, and Kate Jordan as Ireland tested squad depth ahead of upcoming fixtures. Parsons, who was named player of the match after recently returning from injury rehabilitation, spoke to Irish Rugby+ about the impact of the squad newcomers.

Our new caps are so good, they don't miss a beat, they come straight in and add so much value to our team.

Parsons explained that the squad is focused on continuous team improvement following their recent matches.

Each game we have learned a lot, obviously we want to learn from winning more so than losing but every game we get better and we talk about getting one per cent better as a team, choosing courage over comfort, and I think we've been doing that.

Autumn series progression

The victory in Cork concluded Ireland's three-match home schedule, which began with a 40-36 defeat against the United States at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Bemand's side recovered with a 31-24 victory over Japan at Dexcom Stadium in Galway before completing Saturday's seven-try performance. The squad now travels to South Africa to play two WXV Tests at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on successive weeks.