Scott Bemand’s Ireland returned to winning ways with a score of 31-24 against Japan Galway.
It wasn’t quite a performance at Dexcom Stadium, but the world’s fifth-ranked team did enough to bounce back from a 40-36 loss to USA Women’s Eagles in style.
Béibhinn Parsons became her country’s all-time leading goalscorer with a brace in her home province, while Brittany Hogan was also twice behind in man-of-the-match from the side. Aoife Dalton also tried her hand in her second half cameo.
Here’s how Ireland’s players rated in Galway…
15 Stacey Flood – 6.5
In many ways, it was a typical Stacey Flood performance. The full-back played superbly from full-back and consistently led Ireland forward. It was a metronomic performance from the 30-year-old, who helped her team back to winning ways after a disappointing weekend in Dublin.
14 Bevinn Parsons – 7.5
Parsons enjoyed Galway’s freedom, scoring her side’s third try in the 36th minute before doubling in the second half to become Ireland’s all-time leading scorer with 24 tries. You can’t say that Béibhinn Parsons wasn’t heavily involved in this game. She made 14 carries for over 100 yards, all with her two attempts. It’s hard not to be impressed by Parsons’ try record, with the winger now having as many Test tries as her age.
13 Anna McGann – 6
Anna McGann looked comfortable in the starting kit and was on the pitch for the full 80 minutes in Galway. The center made 12 plays and 13 tackles, one of which was a blocked shot in the first half. There were no fireworks, but it wasn’t a bad performance either.
12 Eve Higgins – 5
Substituted in the 44th minute, Eve Higgins had little impact on Ireland’s afternoon. In the first half, we saw a good crowd from the center in defense, but we didn’t manage to see it as much in attack. Seven passes yielded nine meters, while she completed six tackles.
11 Vicky Elmes Kinlan – 5
Compared to a week ago, when Vicky Elmes Kinlan got plenty of hands on the ball in Dublin, the wing was much quieter in Galway as Parsons starred.
10 Dannah O’Brien – 6.5
We saw some nice variety in Dannah O’Brien’s game at Dexcom Stadium. The half saw some good kicking as Ireland looked to make the most of the conditions in Galway and linked the play well with their passing. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old turned the ball over four times, which put pressure on the hosts.
9 Aoifeann Reilly – 7
Really, really lively. With the reintroduction of Aoibheann Reilly into the starting XV, this Irish team has brought an extra spark. Especially busy when in the Japan 22, her hand lift from the base led to Hogan’s second try.
1 Niamh O’Dowd – 7.5
A truly superb performance by Niamh O’Dowd. Loosehead did everything you’d expect from a prop, with the Irish scrum in top form. Where O’Dowd excelled was in defence, where she registered a team-high 20 tackles before coming off the tackle for Sadhbh McGrath.
2 Neve Jones – 7
He came and helped set up for Ireland. During her time on the court, the set functioned with 100% success, and the Gloucester-Hartpury prostitute also got involved in the defense, where she made 13 tricks.
3 Elizabeth Cahill – 6.5
It was a really strong first start for Eilís Cahill. Ireland used a solid brace to knock down the door, something that paved the way for Hogan’s first attempt. She also did well before being replaced by Linda Djougang after 44 minutes.
4 Dorothy Wall – 7
Much like in the first half of Ireland’s loss to the USA Women’s Eagles a week ago, Dorothy Wall was the main ball carrier for her team and the game. The consistency that Exeter Chiefs bid locking in that part of the game is foolproof. She also made an impressive 14 tackles and helped her team achieve a success rate of 90%.
5 Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan – 6.5
A solid, modest spell on the court for Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan. As you’d expect from a lock, it does everything well without too much praise. On Sunday, this included nine carries and a positive performance in the lineup.
6 Brittany Hogan – 8
Starter in all five Guinness Women’s competitions in Ireland 2026 Six Nations games, Brittany Hogan scored two tries within 40 minutes after returning to Ireland’s starting XV. Each time, the flankers benefited from the progress of other teammates, but still had to show good drive to get through. One of the best ball carriers in her team, Hogan was instrumental in Ireland’s victory.
7 Erin King – 6
Not the most memorable afternoon from the Ireland captain. Usually you expect to see Erin King at the top of the charts in carries and tackles, but she wasn’t this Sunday. Sent to the sin bin at the end of the first half for going wild, King was out as Japan’s Moe Nagaoka crossed the try line twice to put the Sakura Fifteen back in the contest.
8 Jemima Adams Verling – 7
It grew as the game progressed. In the second half, we saw Jemima Adams Verling get forward with ball in hand and make some unselfish tackles to push Ireland forward. She left the field after completing seven carries for 56 yards, beating three defenders and making nine tackles.
Substitutions – 7.5
The addition of Aoife Dalton just after half-time really helped Ireland see this game out. Her touch of brilliance to take a shot in midfield, collect the ball and score was proof enough of that. Emily Lane also performed well off the bench, as did Grace Moore, Linda Djougang and Sadhbh McGrath.
