CORK — Ireland scored seven tries to secure a comprehensive 43-19 victory over Japan at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday, sealing consecutive wins over the same opponents and building momentum ahead of their WXV series in South Africa.
Scott Bemand's side trailed early after Sakurako Korai barged over from close range after five minutes following a high penalty count, but hit back with four first-half tries to lead 22-7 at the break. Emily Lane had a score ruled out for an infringement before prop Eilis Cahill powered over to level, with Dannah O'Brien converting. Masami Kawamura was sin-binned for cynical play and Ireland capitalised when Brittany Hogan — who scored twice in last week's 31-24 WXV Global Series win in Galway — rumbled over, before Neve Jones crashed over from a maul and Anna McGann stretched to ground the ball after Niamh Gallagher's break and Erin King's pass.
Beibhinn Parsons extended her all-time Ireland try record to 25 just two minutes after the restart, riding a tackle to finish a flowing move with O'Brien adding the extras. Japan rallied as teenager Nami Asari scored for the second week in a row and Nijiho Nagata crashed over from a maul, both converted by Maiko Nishi, to cut the deficit to 10. Momentum was halted when Nishi was yellow-carded for head-to-head contact on King, and debutants Alana McInerney and Sophie Barrett both marked their introductions off the bench with tries — McInerney shrugging off tackles beside the upright and Barrett diving over as the clock ticked into the red. O'Brien kicked two conversions and Enya Breen added two, including the final conversion to put 24 points between the teams.
The result follows Ireland's 31-24 victory over Japan in Galway the previous weekend and their opening autumn defeat 40-36 to the USA at Tallaght Stadium. With confidence high, Ireland now travel to face South Africa for a two-match series in the WXV.