Pool C: Ireland 42-14 Japan
O’Brien kicks six conversions in powerful display
The shadow of the defending champions, New Zealand, looms over Pool C and on that basis Ireland could not afford to lose. They kicked off their World Cup campaign with a fluent victory, in which every element of their game functioned well on the immaculate Franklin’s Gardens pitch.
Japan won the previous match between these two, a 29-10 victory in 2022, and had they upset the odds it would hardly have represented their own Miracle of Brighton. But Ireland are a different proposition under Scott Bemand and their physicality and accuracy, for the most part, was just too much for their willing opponents. Japan were outclassed and overpowered, in truth, but two converted tries gave their impressive supporters something to shout about.
Some rock-solid maul defence first up showed Japan would not be intimidated, but the Ireland wing Amee-Leigh Costigan was soon flying over in the corner after powerfully handing off the Japan wing Komachi Imakugi. Neve Jones scored a well-taken second from a powerful maul, Dannah O’Brien kicking the second of six conversions, and Ireland had begun with precision and power.
