Eve Higgins pounced with the important thing attempt as Eire emerged from a check of character to launch their World Cup with a 42-14 victory over Japan.
Japan, positioned six locations under their opponents within the international rankings in eleventh place, have been within the midst of an swashbuckling fightback at Franklin’s Gardens as they battled to overturn a 28-14 deficit.
However, simply as they appeared destined to strike once more, excellent inside centre Higgins picked off a floating cross and ran the size of the sphere to attain. It was a merciless blow for Japan to soak up they usually have been unable to get well.
Eire had proven their mettle to dispatch tough Pool C opponents by taking advantage of their larger physicality and it was early dealing with errors that prevented them from taking the lead earlier than wing Amee-Leigh Costigan’s fifth-minute attempt.
Japan have been already conceding yards in touch and to ram residence Eire’s bodily superiority they rumbled over for a maul contact down that was completed by Neve Jones.
Slowly the underdogs compelled their manner again in competition, displaying ability and athleticism in possession they usually went on to boss spells of the primary half with Haruka Hirotsu crashing over from brief vary to reward their efforts.
However Eire twice ignited in assault to storm clear with wings Costigan and Beibhinn Parsons combining superbly for a dynamic rating earlier than Fiona Tuite benefitted from Higgins’ slick footwork in midfield.
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Japan’s maul took cost quickly after the interval, permitting flanker Masami Kawamura to cross, earlier than seeing one other promising interval finish within the face of stiff defending by the inexperienced shirts.
The perfect assault of the match adopted from the Sakura Fifteen as they used their tempo, agility and dealing with to power opening after opening, just for Higgins to strike in the intervening time when Eire appeared to sure to crack once more.
It was a painful setback for Japan, who have been roared on by the neutrals at Franklin’s Gardens, they usually leaked one other attempt to substitute Enya Breen with Eire ending strongly.
