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Ireland are back in the Rugby World Cup with a bang! Their first game at this level since their exit in 2017 and what a way to come back on to the world stage!

The bonus point was wrapped up before the half-time whistle but Scott Bemand's side kept their foot on the gas for a brilliant win. You can read Orla Bannon's match report here.

Ireland will be back at Franklin's Gardens next week as they take on Spain. Like today it is also a 12:00 kick-off.

We hope you can join us then but for now, thanks for joining us today and take care!

This opening weekend has been a festival of rugby but it's not finished yet. The action continues at Franklin's Gardens as South Africa take on World Cup debutants Brazil in a 14:45 kick off.

The world champions New Zealand will round off the weekend as they take on Ireland's next opponents Spain in York in a 17:30 kick-off. I am sure that the Irish contingent will be watching that one with keen interest.

Both of those games are live on BBC iPlayer if you haven't got your rugby fix yet!

Ireland return to Northampton in seven days time to take on Spain. Juan González Marruecos' side are ranked 13th in the world and won the second tier Rugby Europe Championship in March for the twelfth time.

However, their preparations for this tournament has seen them lose their last four. This included a high-scoring test defeat in South Africa and a double-header defeat to Japan last month. Most recently, they suffered a morale-damaging 97-7 reversal to England three weeks ago.

A win for Ireland would likely set up a pool-deciding clash in Brighton with New Zealand in a fortnight's time but Scott Bemand and his side will take nothing for granted.

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Ireland head coach Scott Bemand speaking to the BBC:

"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."

Japan head coach Lesley McKenzie speaking to the BBC:

"I just told them out there they need to be proud of that performance, especially in the second half. It's unfortunate we couldn't have that response earlier. But the World Cup is about lessons.

"The response from the starting 15 and the impact of the bench, I'm massively proud.

"What I said earlier, the supporters have been phenomenal. Surely Japan is the favourite team now for everybody. I'm looking forward to the week's prep and see what we can review and take into next week."

Simon Middleton
Former England women head coach on BBC Two

Japan stayed in the fight, there was a massive moment with the interception after 55 minutes, they could have melted in that moment but they didn't.

The quality of opposition Ireland are playing is higher than Japan. That's the difference.

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Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon speaking to the BBC:

"There was a nice calm and collected energy this morning. This is the first World Cup game for most of us but it didn't feel like it. The young girls took it in their stride so to be in that environment is very empowering.

"It's huge. When I picked up a rugby ball, it was by pure chance. I never thought I'd be in an Ireland jersey or be captain with one of my best friends [Sam Monaghan].

"It's so special to represent Ireland and the growth of women's rugby. To wear the green jersey and keep fighting is a badge of honour that we'll keep going with."

Anna Caplice
Former Ireland international on BBC Two

To see what this group can achieve, it's not just good enough for Ireland to show up and be happy. We've turned it around.

A lot of the talk has been about the injuries but Brittany Hogan said it there. All the girls are here and performing.

Forget the underdog status - for today, Japan aren't to be messed around with, it was never going to be a gimme so it's brilliant for Ireland to produce an 80-minute performance.

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Ireland player of the match Brittany Hogan, speaking on BBC Two:

"What a beginning, we made sure we came out with a fast start, the tries the girl produced in the first half were electric.

"We had everything behind that performance. I'm so proud with the girls today.

"We have the challenge to ourselves to become the most connected team in the world. If you're willing to be connected off the pitch, you'll be connected on the pitch."

On cameras showing her winning player of the match:

"I don't like cameras! I prefer to stay in the background and work hard."

Dorothy Wall
Ireland forward on BBC Two

It's amazing. I'm so proud of each and every one. It's probably one of the best performances we've ever put in as a team, from set piece to how we managed the game to how Dannah O'Brien finished the game.

I'm sure when Scott Bemand went to sleep last night, he couldn't have dreamed of a much better World Cup opener than this.

Six tries, seven conversions and a comfortable win for Ireland over a fit and physical Japanese side.

The Irish supporters at Franklin's Gardens are making some serious noise to salute their heroes this afternoon.

With Scott Bemand's bench now emptied, co-captain Sam Monaghan will complete 80 minutes. It has been a totemic leadership display from the second row but, having only played parts of two games in 14 months, she will surely be feeling it in her lungs and legs!

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Brittany Hogan is replaced by Grace Moore and she has barely taken her seat on the bench before the camera is on her as she is announced as Player of the Match.

Her team-mates all gee her up and Amee-Leigh Costigan gives her a big hug as Hogan sheepishly hides her face from the camera. A brilliant performance from her with an astonishing ten carries.

A bit of a chaotic spell as Japan get on the front foot thanks to Ayasa Otsuka's perfect cross-field kick into sub Sakurako Hatada's bread basket.

The Sakura Fifteen lose possession on the Irish line but Dannah O'Brien fumbles a pass inside her own in-goal area and has to offload to Enya Breen almost on the dead ball line who clears.

Eventually, Ireland bundle Japan into touch to end that breathless spell.

With 69 minutes on the clock, Linda Djougang's afternoon is effectively over as she is yellow carded for a ruck penalty.

Pick of the bunch for Ireland. Sensational individual effort from centre Eve Higgins.

Katy Daley-Mclean
England's 2014 World Cup winning captain on BBC One

Sam Monaghan has been phenomenal for Ireland. She's been out for 14 months but she's looked great today. She's got forward, she's carried well, she got a nice line-out steal. All-round performance.

Not so fast! Our TMO has a word in Clara Munarini's ear and shows her a replay that shows that Sam Monaghan was in front of the ball carrier in the maul.

That means she was illegally obstructing Japan from getting to the ball. Seven points scrubbed off the board and Japan have a penalty five metres from their own line.

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