'Ireland not shaken by lack of World Cup experience'

Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.

Co-captain Edel McMahon is confident that Ireland's lack of World Cup experience will not "shake" the squad as they prepare to face Japan in their opening game.

Having failed to qualify in 2021, hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald is the only player with World Cup experience in the Ireland squad, with five appearances in the 2017 tournament.

But McMahon, who is set to win her 35th cap on Sunday, says the squad have been using the experience of Sevens players such as Stacey Flood and Amee-Leigh Costigan, who represented Ireland at last year's Paris Olympics.

"To be honest, we did speak about that when we first came in for pre-season," said back row McMahon, who has recovered from injury to start against Japan.

"But we also have girls who have been at the Olympics, being at the biggest world stage you can imagine into sport, so tapping into those headspaces like Leigh, Stacey and all the girls, they all have different experiences of what it's like to play on the world stage.

"We definitely spoke about it as a group but you just don't feel like it shakes this group. It doesn't feel like it's the first World Cup for these girls, they just take it in their stride. It's cool to see that headspace and mentality that they have."

While the playing group is almost entirely shorn of World Cup experience, head coach Scott Bemand was part of England's backroom team at the past two tournaments.

"I've lived through a couple, and I've certainly brought a lot with me from the last two events in Ireland and New Zealand," said Bemand, who took over as Ireland boss in 2023.

"I think that's helped shape our preparation, how we think about this opportunity. Yes, there will be bits that feel a bit different, but it's a test match: there's a pitch, there's a ball, we know what we're capable of.

"The playing group seem excited, as a coaching group we're excited."