Ireland vs Japan Preview & Prediction | 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup | Pool Stage
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Ireland begin their 2025 Women’s World Cup campaign in Northampton as they take on Japan in Pool C.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport Website & app / US – Paramount+
Ireland squad
Squad: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan; Dannah O'Brien; Aoibheann Reilly, Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Sam Monaghan (co-captain); Fiona Tuite, Edel McMahon (co-captain), Brittany Hogan
Replacements: Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Grace Moore, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Anna McGann
Japan squad
Squad: Sora Nishimura; Misaki Matsumara, Mana Furuta, Haruka Hirotsu, Komachi Imakugi; Ayasa Otsuka, Moe Tsukui; Sachiko Kato, Asuka Kuge, Wako Kitano; Yuna Sato, Otoka Yoshimura; Masami Kawamura, Iroha Nagata (capt), Seina Saito
Replacements: Kotomi Taniguchi, Manami Mine, Nijiho Nagata, Ayana Sakurai, Kyoko Hosokawa, Megumi Abe, Minori Yamamoto, Sakurako Hatada
Ireland vs Japan prediction
There is cause for optimism in the Ireland camp as they are currently ranked fifth in the world – their highest ever placing – and they come into the World Cup having recently beaten British rivals Scotland in a warm-up match.
They return to the premier international competition having missed out in the 2021 iteration, with their best result being a fourth-placed finish in 2014.
Japan, ranked 11th in the rankings, are featuring in their third straight Women’s World Cup and likewise enjoyed some positive preparation for this tournament having beaten the USA and Spain twice this year.
There is a fairly sizeable gulf in class between these two nations so a comfortable Irish win looks on the cards.
Ireland vs Japan tip: Ireland to win with -17 handicap
