Good morning and welcome along to our live coverage of Ireland’s second and final test against Japan. Greg McWilliams’ side are hoping to head home with a 100% winning record after their impressive nine-try victory last weekend to round off their first-ever summer tour in style.
Kick-off in Tokyo is at 11 this morning and we’ll have team line-ups for you in the next few minutes.
27 Aug 2022
10:24AM
Here’s the Ireland team that has been named to start:
15. Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
14. Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
13. Aoife Dalton (Tullamore RFC/Leinster)
12. Enya Breen (TBC/Munster)
11. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Tullow RFC/Leinster)
9. Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
1. Laura Feely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster)
3. Linda Djougang (TBC/Leinster)
4. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
5. Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) (captain)
6. Jo Brown (Worcester Warriors/IQ Rugby)
7. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)
8. Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby)
27 Aug 2022
10:29AM
And here’s the Japan team with a few changes before kick-off
Some slight changes to today's Sakura Fifteen members ahead of our clash against Ireland tonight 🔥☘️
Super start from Ireland to capitalise on that brilliant kick from O’Brien by racing in at the corner for Behan to touch down following a break from Ailsa Hughes.
Japan break over the Irish tryline but the referee says no try and brings the play back. They go for a line-out but Ireland defend well to intercept and keep the hosts out.
27 Aug 2022
11:20AM
15 mins: Japan 0-5 Ireland
They come charging at Ireland again from a scrum, and the referee has awarded another scrum to Japan in a dangerous position.
The hosts deserve that score after an impressive period of pressure. It’s the out-half Ayasa Otsuk who delivers the score after a blistering break but she fails to score the conversion.
27 Aug 2022
11:31AM
22 mins: Japan 5-5 Ireland
Penalty awarded to Japan after Ireland try to move deeper into their territory and they kick for touch.
Hannah O’Connor leaps highest to collect the ball from the line-out though to ensure that the action stays in Japan’s half of the field.
27 Aug 2022
11:33AM
26 mins: Japan 5-5 Ireland
Great work from Ailsa Hughes to disrupt Japan’s release from a scrum but the referee is allowing them to take it again, and even a third time.
They get the ball out cleanly on the third go.
27 Aug 2022
11:37AM
30 mins: Japan 5-5 Ireland
Great kick from Japan to get well inside Irish territory, but the referee penalises their line-out and the ball is back with Ireland.
In turn, Ireland’s line-out is a bit sloppy but they still have possession and the referee eventually signals for an Ireland penalty.
The second Test is proving to be a tighter slog than last weekend but Ireland are holding steady at the half-hour mark.
27 Aug 2022
11:40AM
32 mins: Japan 5-5 Ireland
Another stoppage in play as Laura Feely receives treatment for what looks like a shoulder injury.
Japan set up for another line-out but it bounces over to Ireland’s side. The ball comes out to O’Brien who drills it clear into touch.
Another brilliant break from Japan to grab their second try. It’s a similar effort to their first one as Matsuda blasts her way over the line. Otsuka adds the conversion. Ireland need to settle again and try to build some yards into Japan’s half. They’re not enjoying as much of the possession or forward movement.
Ireland had a massive chance before the break to grab their second try but credit to Japan, they hold their lines firmly against the incoming Méabh Deely, and earn a penalty to bring the first half to a close.
Big challenge ahead for Ireland in the second half to restore parity.
Good lineout work from Ireland as Fryday gathers the ball safely. Hughes puts the ball in for a scrum and O’Brien releases an impressive kick to find touch.
Japan are in complete control of this tie now. That all came from a break inside Japan territory after a dummy from Otsuka. Ailsa Hughes managed to bring them into touch but Japan still capitalised from the pressure to make use of the space, spread the ball out and storm over.
Excellent movement from Matsuda to sidestep her way through the Irish cover and pick up her second try of the game. Ireland have drifted out of the game completely, although they are outside the Japan tryline now. They need something from this.
Well, scratch that. Ireland finally have that second try to bring them back into contention. Katie O’Dwyer is their deliverer after an Irish surge from the lineout. That should give them a big boost with 20 minutes still left to play.
An Ireland comeback looks more unlikely now as prop Sachito Kato stretches over to extend Japan’s lead. Otsuka adds the extras from the conversion although the conversion rate has been low in the game with O’Brien failing to score from her three efforts.
27 Aug 2022
12:55PM
79 mins: Japan 29-10 Ireland
Japan come on the attack again as the game winds down to its inevitable conclusion.
The series ends in a draw with one win each, as Ireland bring their first-ever summer tour to a close. Japan were the hungrier side today, dashing over for five tries while Ireland nabbed three.
27 Aug 2022
1:13PM
Well, that wasn’t how Ireland wanted to finish their summer tour after such a brilliant performance last week. But they have used these tests to explore the depth that’s in the squad and will have plenty to build on.
Thanks for joining our coverage today. Stick around for the match report which will follow shortly.
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As it happened: Japan v Ireland, second Test
Good morning and welcome along to our live coverage of Ireland’s second and final test against Japan. Greg McWilliams’ side are hoping to head home with a 100% winning record after their impressive nine-try victory last weekend to round off their first-ever summer tour in style.
Kick-off in Tokyo is at 11 this morning and we’ll have team line-ups for you in the next few minutes.
Here’s the Ireland team that has been named to start:
15. Méabh Deely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
14. Natasja Behan (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
13. Aoife Dalton (Tullamore RFC/Leinster)
12. Enya Breen (TBC/Munster)
11. Aoife Doyle (Railway Union RFC/Munster)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Tullow RFC/Leinster)
9. Ailsa Hughes (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
1. Laura Feely (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury/Ulster)
3. Linda Djougang (TBC/Leinster)
4. Hannah O’Connor (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster)
5. Nichola Fryday (Exeter Chiefs/Connacht) (captain)
6. Jo Brown (Worcester Warriors/IQ Rugby)
7. Edel McMahon (Exeter Chiefs/IQ Rugby)
8. Grace Moore (Saracens/IQ Rugby)
And here’s the Japan team with a few changes before kick-off
Just a few minutes to kick-off now.
Japan 0-0 Ireland (Kick-off)
1 min: Japan 0-0 Ireland
Great kick from Dannah O’Brien to gain some territory and Ireland captain Nichola Fryday follows it up with a great throw from the line-out.
TRY! Japan 0-5 Ireland (Natasja Behan 3 mins)
4 mins: Japan 0-5 Ireland
Super start from Ireland to capitalise on that brilliant kick from O’Brien by racing in at the corner for Behan to touch down following a break from Ailsa Hughes.
O’Brien misses the conversion.
Here’s a look at that brilliant try.
14 mins: Japan 0-5 Ireland
Japan break over the Irish tryline but the referee says no try and brings the play back. They go for a line-out but Ireland defend well to intercept and keep the hosts out.
15 mins: Japan 0-5 Ireland
They come charging at Ireland again from a scrum, and the referee has awarded another scrum to Japan in a dangerous position.
TRY! Japan 5-5 Ireland (Otsuka 17 mins)
Japan 5-5 Ireland
The hosts deserve that score after an impressive period of pressure. It’s the out-half Ayasa Otsuk who delivers the score after a blistering break but she fails to score the conversion.
22 mins: Japan 5-5 Ireland
Penalty awarded to Japan after Ireland try to move deeper into their territory and they kick for touch.
Hannah O’Connor leaps highest to collect the ball from the line-out though to ensure that the action stays in Japan’s half of the field.
26 mins: Japan 5-5 Ireland
Great work from Ailsa Hughes to disrupt Japan’s release from a scrum but the referee is allowing them to take it again, and even a third time.
They get the ball out cleanly on the third go.
30 mins: Japan 5-5 Ireland
Great kick from Japan to get well inside Irish territory, but the referee penalises their line-out and the ball is back with Ireland.
In turn, Ireland’s line-out is a bit sloppy but they still have possession and the referee eventually signals for an Ireland penalty.
The second Test is proving to be a tighter slog than last weekend but Ireland are holding steady at the half-hour mark.
32 mins: Japan 5-5 Ireland
Another stoppage in play as Laura Feely receives treatment for what looks like a shoulder injury.
Japan set up for another line-out but it bounces over to Ireland’s side. The ball comes out to O’Brien who drills it clear into touch.
TRY! Japan 12-5 Ireland (Matsuda 37 mins)
39 mins: Japan 12-5 Ireland
Another brilliant break from Japan to grab their second try. It’s a similar effort to their first one as Matsuda blasts her way over the line. Otsuka adds the conversion. Ireland need to settle again and try to build some yards into Japan’s half. They’re not enjoying as much of the possession or forward movement.
Half-Time! Japan 12-5 Ireland
Japan 12-5 Ireland
Ireland had a massive chance before the break to grab their second try but credit to Japan, they hold their lines firmly against the incoming Méabh Deely, and earn a penalty to bring the first half to a close.
Big challenge ahead for Ireland in the second half to restore parity.
Japan’s second try
Second Half! Japan 12-5 Ireland
44 mins: Japan 12-5 Ireland
Good lineout work from Ireland as Fryday gathers the ball safely. Hughes puts the ball in for a scrum and O’Brien releases an impressive kick to find touch.
TRY! Japan 17-5 Ireland (Hinano Nagura 48 mins)
51 mins: Japan 17-5 Ireland
Japan are in complete control of this tie now. That all came from a break inside Japan territory after a dummy from Otsuka. Ailsa Hughes managed to bring them into touch but Japan still capitalised from the pressure to make use of the space, spread the ball out and storm over.
TRY! Japan 22-5 Ireland (Matsuda 54 mins)
58 mins: Japan 22-5 Ireland
Excellent movement from Matsuda to sidestep her way through the Irish cover and pick up her second try of the game. Ireland have drifted out of the game completely, although they are outside the Japan tryline now. They need something from this.
TRY! Japan 22-10 Ireland (O’Dwyer 59 mins)
60 mins: Japan 22-10 Ireland
Well, scratch that. Ireland finally have that second try to bring them back into contention. Katie O’Dwyer is their deliverer after an Irish surge from the lineout. That should give them a big boost with 20 minutes still left to play.
TRY! Japan 29-10 Ireland (Kato 65 mins)
70 mins: Japan 29-10 Ireland
An Ireland comeback looks more unlikely now as prop Sachito Kato stretches over to extend Japan’s lead. Otsuka adds the extras from the conversion although the conversion rate has been low in the game with O’Brien failing to score from her three efforts.
79 mins: Japan 29-10 Ireland
Japan come on the attack again as the game winds down to its inevitable conclusion.
Full-Time! Japan 29-10 Ireland
Japan 29-10 Ireland
The series ends in a draw with one win each, as Ireland bring their first-ever summer tour to a close. Japan were the hungrier side today, dashing over for five tries while Ireland nabbed three.
Well, that wasn’t how Ireland wanted to finish their summer tour after such a brilliant performance last week. But they have used these tests to explore the depth that’s in the squad and will have plenty to build on.
Thanks for joining our coverage today. Stick around for the match report which will follow shortly.
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Ireland Japan Rugby Minute-by-Minute test rugby