Irish Rugby

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Ireland centre Eve Higgins says her side is fully focused on Sunday's World Cup Pool C game against Spain and that their thoughts are not turning towards a potential group decider against holders New Zealand the following week.

Ireland began their campaign with a 42-14 win over Japan in Northampton on Sunday, with centre Higgins scoring one of Scott Bemand's side's six tries.

Spain lost 54-8 to New Zealand but ran Ireland close in their WXV3 meeting in 2023 after winning the 2021 World Cup qualifier between the sides.

"We've been very much looking at one game at a time. We are focusing on Spain, everything is on Spain this week. We're not looking ahead to New Zealand. We want to go in and get a performance again," said Higgins.

"Spain are an extremely hard-working team. They never give up. They fight for every inch so we know it's going to be a tough game."

Ireland led 28-7 at the break against Japan at Franklin's Gardens but were pegged back by their opponents before running out comfortable victors.

"It's definitely something we're looking at going into this weekend - how can we start better in the second half? We want to bring what we've learned from the Japan game and bring it into this weekend.

"One of our main focuses in the game was to start fast, which we did. Now it's about how we can bring that into the second half because Japan definitely gained some momentum."

Higgins is happy to play at either outside or inside centre and is relishing the experience of playing on the biggest stage in the sport.

"The biggest thing is to wear a green jersey. That's the dream. I'm enjoying 12 at the minute but if you put a 13 on my back I'd say I'd enjoy that too.

"When we look back these are moments that you might never live again, playing in a World Cup, it's huge, we couldn't do it last time. They only come round every four years so it's extremely special to be in that position. so why not enjoy it."

Scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly added: "I think as the competition goes on we'll definitely develop as a team and hopefully that will be evident from the performances."

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Ireland assistant coach Alex Codling says star back row Aoife Wafer is "very close" to making her return from knee injury.

This year's Women's Six Nations player of the tournament missed Ireland's opening World Cup win over Japan after undergoing knee surgery last month.

Wafer stayed in Dublin last week to continue her rehab, and while she has trained with the squad since arriving in England, Codling stopped short of saying the 22-year-old is in contention to face Spain in Northampton on Sunday (12:00 BST).

"She's working really hard, she's coming back, she's very close," said Codling.

"Obviously as a coaching group it's important we make sure that moment's right for her and for the team. We'll monitor that over the next couple of days."

Codling added: "I'm not working directly with her, but in terms of running, she joined in with the lineouts, that gives an indication that she's on track and going really well."

Codling also said Ireland are "looking after" Edel McMahon after the co-captain sat out part of Wednesday's training session.

Having missed both warm-up games, McMahon managed 75 minutes in the win over Japan.

"It's important for us as a coaching group, we're managing loads of players and she's obviously been out for a while," explained Codling.

"She was exceptional at the weekend so we're looking after her and making sure she is fit and ready."

Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a 54-8 loss to holders New Zealand, but ran Ireland close in their WXV3 meeting in 2023 after winning the 2021 World Cup qualifier between the sides.

Spain are ranked 13th in the world, eight places below Ireland, but Codling insists "a piece of paper has never won games".

"I think we treat everyone the same, for lots of different reasons. Certainly, they are a team that will challenge us.

"They have got a lot of Sevens players in the group, and you could see against New Zealand, if you give them space and time they will hurt you."

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Gareth Steenson said he was impressed by how Ireland fly-half Dannah O'Brien coped in the "pressure cooker" of the World Cup.

The 21-year-old directed Ireland's attack in the 42-14 win over Japan on Sunday and was perfect off the kicking tee, landing all six of her conversion attempts.

Steenson, a former fly-half who twice won the Premiership with Exeter Chiefs, is Ireland's kicking coach for the World Cup in England.

"She has worked very hard for a number of months now," he said.

"I'm delighted for her in that environment, it was a bit of a pressure cooker, and something a bit different with 15,000 or 16,000 out there watching.

"I'm very pleased with how she performed. It's a big weapon for us so hopefully we can utilise it going forward."

Upon their return to the World Cup after an eight-year absence, Steenson added that Ireland were "delighted" to start the tournament with a bonus-point win.

While praising O'Brien, who is closing in on 30 caps despite only being 21, for her individual display, he said that the Irish performance was a "collective" and the coaching team were pleased with the effort "right across the board".

"When we look back on it there will be things we have to work on but I'm very pleased for Dannah and very pleased for the whole squad." he added.

"We're very fortunate in Ireland with the GAA [Gaelic Athletic Association] background and a lot of girls have a natural ability to kick the ball.

"We've kickers right across the board and Dannah is leading that."

Ireland's next game in Pool C is against Spain at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday (12:00 BST).

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Ireland's Fiona Tuite admits she had a "tear in my eye" in the moments before making her long-awaited Women's Rugby World Cup debut for Ireland.

Ulster forward Tuite scored a try to help Ireland secure a 42-14 win over Japan at Franklin's Gardens in their first World Cup game in eight years.

Tuite, 28, said making her World Cup debut was "incredible" but she was "incredibly nervous" the morning of the game.

"We got here, had a walk out and I looked up into the stands, saw some familiar faces and just said 'smile Fiona, take it all in'," she said.

"It was genuinely lovely, I had a tear in my eye during the anthem and just said this is so special, it's something we've been building for for eight years.

"It's something I've wanted my whole life.

"It was honestly amazing, I was so proud."

Ireland are back in action in Pool C on Sunday against Spain and Tuite says they will be a "different challenge" than Japan.

"Spain are really quick and it was tough when we played them in WXV3," said Tuite.

"It's really important to enjoy these wins and then we'll look forward to the challenge that Spain will bring."

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Ireland's Brittany Hogan admits it was hard to keep her emotions in check after putting seven years of graft to good use with a starring role in Sunday's Women's Rugby World Cup win over Japan.

Hogan fended off stiff competition from a number of impressive displays from her team-mates to be named player of the match in Ireland's 42-14 win at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton.

Having failed to qualify for the last tournament, the Ulster forward said starting the tournament on a high note was particularly sweet.

"It means so much for us to get that performance today," Hogan told BBC Sport NI.

"The occasion meant so much to the whole team. We haven't been here since 2017 so could have went into our shells but that first-half performance was great.

"We scored some super tries. Japan came back at us in the second half and really put us down the throttle but I was so proud of the effort the girls put in to hold them back."

Hogan, who in the build-up to the tournament revealed how she used rugby to help cope with the grief after the death of her father in 2023, added: "I was part of the team that didn't qualify in 2021 so I've been working and grinding to get here for seven years.

"It was so exciting to finally be there and a little bit of emotions came out [at the end]."

Hogan also admitted she was "really surprised" at being named player of the match.

"It was a really tough game with the heat and the ball-in-play time was really high. Japan are a skilful time so we didn't have much set-piece.

"I was really surprised at the end of it. We had so many good performances across the board but that's what you need to be a world-class outfit."

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Ireland head coach Scott Bemand speaking to the BBC after his side's 42-14 Women's Rugby World Cup pool c win over Japan:

"Games are never perfect. Getting off to a fast start was an important part of what we worked on. We were slow out of the blocks in the second half so getting the bonus point before half-time was quite crucial really for a young team, 17 caps average."

Who stood out?

"There's a stack across the board. I thought Aoife Dalton defended like a hero in the 13 channel. We asked our forwards to front up and earn the platform. We had some nice tries in the first half but that came off the forwards' work."

How Ireland will approach Spain game next week:

"You've got to keep momentum going. Spain are no mugs. They've got a bunch of threats and are a good team. You can see what they're trying to achieve.

"We'll take it seriously and prepare. We just want to keep getting better. We've laid down a marker but we want to be better next week."

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Irish Women's Interprovincial Championship, Affidea Stadium

Ulster (17) 17

Tries: Sheerin, Fitzsimons 2 Cons: Sheerin

Munster (19) 38

Tries: Pearse, Ugweueru, Finn, Og O'Leary 2, McInerney Con: Finn 4

Munster maintained their perfect start to the Women's Interprovincial Championship with a third consecutive bonus-point win over Ulster in Belfast.

The visitors ran in six tries through the 38-17 victory, taking control of the contest with a dominant second half.

The score had been 19-17 at the turn, but Ulster failed to score after the restart with Munster skipper Maeve Og O'Leary leading the way with a pair of tries.

With two bonus-point wins from two games played, the latter of which was an impressive victory over reigning champions Leinster last weekend, Munster arrived in Belfast as heavy favourites.

That tag looked fully justified in the early stages as, after a dominant scrum in a central position, number eight Chloe Pearse barged over for the opening score after 10 minutes.

Ulster hit back, however, with centre Siobhan Sheerin scoring her third try in as many games after strong work in the carry from her forwards.

Chisom Ugweueru responded with Munster's second in the 17th minute thanks to a great show of pace from deep before O'Leary pass put Caitriona Finn between the posts.

When the Munster centre converted her own score, Matt Brown's side led 19-7 and appeared in complete control.

Two tries in the space of three minutes from debutant Ciara Fitzsimons, however, got Ulster right back into things.

First the Queen's winger scored in the corner off scrum-half Sophie Meeke's pass before an intercept score brought her side back within just two points at the break.

Munster enjoyed a brilliant start to the second half when skipper O'Leary pounced on a loose ball and powered her way over just three minutes after the restart.

But visiting prop Grainne Burke was shown a yellow card for a high tackle just minutes later to give Murray Houston's team a route back into the game.

Despite the numerical disadvantage however, Munster continued to apply the pressure and it took a brilliant tackle from prop Sophie Barrett to save a try.

Munster were not to be denied for long though and, as Ulster pressed for a way back into the game, Alana McInerney scooped up a loose pass and ran in for a try from inside her own half.

O'Leary's second of the afternoon arrived on the hour mark and ended the game as a contest, although Ulster defended well to avoid further concession in the final 20 minutes, especially when Niamh Marley was sent to the sin bin.

Ulster: Kate Farrell McCabe; Ciara Fitzsimons, Siobhan Sheerin, Kelly McCormill, Niamh Marley; Abby Moyles, Sophie Meeke; Aishling O'Connell, India Daley (capt), Sophie Barrett, Ellen Patterson, Brenda Barr, Moya Hill, Rebecca Beacom, Stacey Sloan.

Replacements: Megan Simpson, Bronach Cassidy, Sophie McAlister, Lauren Darley, Ciara O'Donnell, Georgia Boyce, Farrah Cartin McCloskey, Katie Gilmour.

Munster: Aoife Corey; Alana McInerney, Stephanie Nunan, Caitriona Finn, Chisom Ugwueru; Kate Flannery, Abbie Salter-Townshend; Grainne Burke, Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird, Eilis Cahill, Clodagh O'Halloran, Jane Clohessy, Brianna Heylmann, Maeve Og O'Leary (capt), Chloe Pearse.

Replacements: Alisha Flynn, Ciara McLoughlin, Claire Bennett, Emma Dunican, Sally Kelly, Eve Prendergast, Lucia Linn, Meghan Crilly.

Referee: Dermot Blake

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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.

The build-up to Beibhinn Parsons' first Women's Rugby World Cup has been, to put it mildly, less than ideal.

This time last year, the 23-year-old wing broke her leg while representing Ireland Sevens in the Paris Olympics.

As a result, Parsons missed Ireland XV's memorable WXV1 campaign, which included an enthralling 29-27 win over world champions New Zealand.

A week on from making her comeback, Parsons suffered a second leg break while playing in the World SVNS Series leg in Cape Town in December, ruling her out of the 2025 Women's Six Nations and putting her World Cup hopes in doubt.

But the speedy Connacht back recovered in time to make Scott Bemand's squad and will make her World Cup debut against Japan on Sunday.

"It's been a tough year, but I'm one of the lucky ones where the timing worked out," Parsons told BBC Sport NI.

"I'm thinking of all the girls that are injured now. It's difficult for them to miss out on a World Cup. It's funny, you think things aren't going your way but I've been lucky enough to have enough time to recover and make the squad."

Still only 23, Parsons is one of the most experienced players in the Ireland squad after making her debut aged 16.

With Ireland having failed to qualify for the last tournament, the Galway native says she is ready to make her mark on the biggest stage.

"I've been waiting a long time to see what it's all about," said Parsons.

"Already with our opening ceremony and how we got welcomed into the airport, you realise that this is a level up. They've put so much funding and support behind this, so it's really exciting."

While Ireland are without Erin King and Dorothy Wall for the tournament and Aoife Wafer for the Japan game at least, Parsons feels the "sky's the limit" for Bemand's side in England.

"When we show our best and put that on the world stage, I really think we can be world beaters. We have no limits on this team, we have no ceilings. We just can't wait to get going."

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Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon says the squad are behind Shannon Ikahihifo after the forward revealed she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

New Zealand-born Ikahihifo, who has won three Ireland caps, was part of the training squad for the Women's Rugby World Cup but was not selected in the final panel for the tournament.

In a post on Instagram on Friday, the 30-year-old Trailfinders player said: "Crazy to think that one day you can be running around on the rugby pitch feeling completely fine, then five days later you're sitting in a hospital room being told you have cancer.

"Still a little in shock if I'm honest, but I'm so blessed to have the most amazing husband, family, and friends that always carry when things start to feel a bit heavy.

"Fair to say she's been a pretty tough few weeks. But lucky we're tougher."

Speaking on Friday, after the Ireland team for Sunday's Pool C opener against Japan was named, McMahon praised Ikahihifo for sharing her news.

"We found out as a group a little bit earlier than everyone else heard, but we respected Shannon's space that she wanted to deal with this herself and even get to terms with what the news entirely is," said McMahon.

"A credit to her to be so brave to come out. It would be very easy to fall into the background and not say anything and not raise awareness herself."

McMahon added: "I know Breast Cancer Awareness is actually happening next month, but the full group are here to support her and we're all thinking of her.

"But at the same time, she's so selfless in that she didn't want to distract from rugby itself and all of the good work that's going on for World Rugby and this campaign.

"She was like, 'I don't want it to be about me', but that's Shannon to a T. The squad are definitely thinking of her and we're here to support her whatever that looks like."

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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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."

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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.

Ireland full-back Stacey Flood believes backing from home will be a "really important" factor at the World Cup in England.

The side missed out on the global showpiece three years ago in New Zealand but have steadily rebuilt in the intervening period with results showing real improvement after head coach Scott Bemand was appointed in July 2023.

With Ireland's campaign beginning against Japan at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday, the tournament will bring another level of attention.

"I feel like having eyes on women's rugby and our team is never going to be a bad thing," said Flood of the potential for added pressure.

"We want the Irish people behind us, we want to have the support of everyone.

"This is going to be such a major pedestal for women's rugby that I think this is going to change the game, this whole tournament, and I think it's really important to get eyes on that."

Ireland, who will also face Spain and New Zealand in Pool C, will attempt to focus on their own strengths rather than those of the opposition said Flood.

"Japan, I feel like everything they do, they're so diligent and, I feel like they might not be the biggest team, but they're so skilful.

"They're really good jackal threats and I think we know what they're good at, but it's also just about bringing it back to our squad and what our strengths are, not playing too much to the opposition but focussing on what we can do in the green jersey."

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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.

Aoife Wafer has been ruled out of Ireland's opening Women's Rugby World Cup match against Japan as she continues her comeback from knee surgery.

The 2025 Women's Six Nations player of the tournament underwent a procedure last month which caused her to miss Ireland's warm-up games against Scotland and Canada and she has not yet travelled to England with her team-mates.

The 22-year-old back row was named in head coach Scott Bemand's squad last week but is not fit enough to feature against Japan on Sunday (12:00 BST) and has remained in Dublin to work on her recovery.

As per the rules of the competition, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) had to inform World Rugby that Wafer had not departed with the squad as players cannot return home during the tournament window to treat injuries as it would be viewed as unfair on those squads who have greater distances to travel.

Following their opener in Franklin's Gardens, Ireland face Spain on 31 August and back-to-back world champions New Zealand on 7 September in their other Pool C games and the side's assistant coach Larissa Muldoon confirmed that Wafer will join the team next week "in preparation looking into Spain".

Co-captain Edel McMahon, who also did not feature in either of Ireland's warm-up fixtures, is with the squad and according to Muldoon "came through training" on Tuesday and Wednesday with no issues.

Wafer, who will join Harlequins from Leinster after the tournament in England, scored four tries for Ireland in the Six Nations but missed the last game of the championship after damaging knee ligaments against Wales.

Her fitness has become increasingly significant for Ireland following injuries to fellow back rowers Dorothy Wall and Erin King, who will both miss the World Cup.

Muldoon, however, has confidence in Ireland's depth at the position.

"People forget the like of Claire Boles have come back in, Ivana Kiripati has come through the under-20s pathway," added the former international scrum-half.

"[We have] amazing players coming through and giving us that element of competition in our training environment and identity."

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Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Ireland v Japan

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

Coverage: Live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds

Flanker Claire Boles says Ireland must "start faster" in their World Cup opener against Japan in Northampton on Sunday.

Scott Bemand's side had one win and one defeat in their two warm-up fixtures before the tournament but were noticeably slow off the mark in both.

They were 14-0 down against Scotland in Cork before coming back to win, then left themselves far too much to do in a 47-26 loss to Canada in Belfast after falling 33-7 behind.

Boles feels Ireland can "work on" making faster starts but believes the improvement against Canada in the second half at least showed the team's ability to adapt to challenges.

"It is definitely a mentality thing," she said.

"We can train that as well, so we're looking at that too.

"Especially the first game, you have to be off the blocks so we're definitely looking at that."

While Scotland and Wales, as well as France and Italy, have been paired together in the pool stages, Ireland are the only Six Nations side in their group which also includes New Zealand and Spain.

Boles, however, says Ireland are familiar with Japan from their tour to the country in 2022.

"They're a fast team, they're very disciplined. We know if they get their discipline right and get their structure, they're a good side," she said.

"I think we like the group. We've played New Zealand before [in WXV1 in November, Spain in WXV3 the year before that and went to Japan as well.

"So we have played them. You don't play them every single year, but it's not like we're going in there fresh."