WVX Global Series

Ireland 31 (19)

Tries: Hogan (2), Parsons (2), Dalton Cons: O’Brien (3)

Japan 24 (5)

Tries: Nagaoka (2), Nagata, Asari Cons: Nishi (2)

Beibhinn Parsons became Ireland’s all-time record try scorer as Ireland held off a late comeback from Japan to register a 31-24 win in the WXV Global Series at Dexcom Stadium.

Tries from Brittany Hogan and Parsons gave the home side the lead after a dominant first half.

However, Japan looked strong after the restart before Parsons registered her 24th Test try to become Ireland’s leading try scorer and help them secure the win.

Scott Bemand will be happy with his side’s response after they let a 19-point lead slip away against the USA in their WXV Global Series opener at Tallaght Stadium.

Both sides had to navigate a strong wind in Galway, and it was Ireland who adjusted to the challenging conditions the quickest with Hogan showing great persistence to cross from close range after 10 minutes.

It was a scrappy first half with neither side able to carve open the opposition’s defence with plenty of stoppages.

However, Hogan once again showed her threat and extended Scott Bemand’s side’s lead when she finished a nice move from Aoibheann Reilly after the half hour mark.

A mistake in the Ireland defence then gifted Japan a great opportunity to register their first try before Anna McGann rushed back to stop Nami Asari’s run.

The home side extended their lead after a superb solo run from Parsons in her home town on 37 minutes.

Following captain Erin King’s yellow card, Japan scored a late first-half try when Moe Nagaoka crashed over.

Japan started the second half brightly and Nagaoka crossed from a maul to narrow Ireland’s lead.

However, unlike against the USA, Bemand’s side responded well to the setback and Aoife Dalton touched down just minutes after coming off the bench.

The end-to-end nature of the match continued with Japan continuing to push and Nijiho Nagata able to register Japan’s third try from a maul.

Parsons then produced another impressive run after connecting with McGann’s pass with O’Brien able to add the extras.

In the closing stages, Nami Asari narrowed Ireland’s lead after the home side had originally done well to stop the visitors from crossing, but Japan could not produce an impressive late comeback.

Ireland: Flood; Parsons, McGann, Higgins, Elmes Kinlan; O’Brien, Reilly; O’Dowd, Jones, Cahill; Wall, Tuite-O’Sullivan; Hogan, King (capt), Adams Verling.

Replacements: Buttimer, McGrath, Djougang, Clohessy, Moore, Lane, Dalton, Gallagher.

Japan: Nishi; S Nishimura, Kataoka, Furuta, Imakugi; Harada, Tsukui (capt); Komaki, Nagaoka, Kitano; Kawamura, Sato; Asari, Korai, Nduka.

Replacements: Nagata, Yoshida, Fuji, Yoshimura, M Nishimura, Seo, Yamamoto, Havili Kagawa.