In Pics: Ireland Train Ahead Of Japan Clash In Galway

Emily Lane is pictured during an Ireland training session
The Vodafone Ireland WXV Series continues on Sunday when the Ireland Women return to Dexcom Stadium, the home of Connacht Rugby, to play Japan (kick-off 12.45pm).

Ireland will be back in Galway for the first time since a then-record home crowd of 9,206 watched them beat Italy 57-20 during the 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations last April.

Buy Your Ireland v Japan Tickets

Tickets are on sale here for what promises to be another thrilling encounter out west. Scott Bemand's side recorded a 42-14 win over Japan at last year's Rugby World Cup.

Ireland were also victorious when they hosted the Sakura 15s at the RDS in November 2021, prevailing 15-12, and it was one win apiece during the 2022 tour to Japan.

Captain Erin King and her team-mates have been training at the IRFU High Performance Centre this week, eager to bounce back from a disappointing 40-36 defeat to the USA.

"We've got the next two weeks where we go against Japan, who have a certain style of rugby, and then we're going to go and face some big humans again in South Africa," said head coach Bemand.

"So, it will be an ideal opportunity in terms of where we are in terms of this World Cup cycle, to add those layers to the game.

"Some parts of it I'm really genuinely delighted with. You look at how the ball kept moving (against the USA). We played our way into some opportunities.

"That will give more layers to our game, more attacking prowess. We just join up, a bit of tidying up with some technical bits of how we arrest that momentum, and then I think we'll be really well placed."

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Ireland captain Erin King

Ireland captain Erin King was left with a black eye following last weekend's fiercely-contested opening match against the USA in Tallaght

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Ireland head coach Scott Bemand

Head coach Scott Bemand will reveal the team to play Japan on Friday afternoon, as Ireland aim for a swift return to winning ways

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Alana McInerney during an Ireland training session

Munster's Alana McInerney is one of the uncapped players in the Ireland squad hoping to earn a first Test cap during this autumn international window

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Katie Whelan training with the Ireland squad

Katie Whelan, who made her Ireland 15s debut during the 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations, is pictured training at the IRFU High Performance Centre

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Ulster prop Sadhbh McGrath training with Ireland

Ulster prop Sadhbh McGrath will be itching to be involved this weekend after being an unused replacement against the USA

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Niamh Gallagher takes part in a training drill

Versatile young back Niamh Gallagher made the matchday squad for the USA game, having won her first two caps during the Six Nations earlier this year

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The Ireland Women's squad

After a losing start against the USA, the Ireland Women now face back-to-back Tests against Japan who are currently ranked 12th in the world

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Stacey Flood claims a high ball at the IRFU HPC

Dual international Stacey Flood jumps to claim a high ball during the Ireland squad's pitch session on Wednesday

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Stacey Flood and Niamh Gallagher

Stacey Flood, pictured with Niamh Gallagher, now has 30 Ireland 15s caps to her name, and has started the team's last 11 matches at full-back

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Emily Lane passes the ball away from a ruck

Cork native Emily Lane passes the ball away from a ruck as the Ireland players train at the IRFU High Performance Centre

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Munster and Ireland's Eilís Cahill

Munster prop Eilís Cahill came off the bench against the USA to make her fifth senior international appearance

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Promising young hooker Beth Buttimer

Uncapped hooker Beth Buttimer, pictured during Wednesday's training session, was in brilliant form for Munster during their Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship-winning run

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Connacht and Ireland's Aoibheann Reilly

After missing the 2026 Six Nations due to injury, Aoibheann Reilly made her return to Test rugby as a second-half replacement against the USA

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Leinster and Ireland's Eve Higgins

Centre Eve Higgins was one of Ireland's try scorers last week as they built a 31-12 lead, but ultimately fell short against the Women's Eagles

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Robyn O'Connor drives into Niamh O'Dowd's tackle

Robyn O'Connor drives forward into a tackle from Niamh O'Dowd as the Ireland players are put through their paces at the IRFU HPC

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Chisom Ugwueru takes on Aoife Dalton

Munster star Chisom Ugwueru, one of the uncapped backs in Scott Bemand's squad, takes on Aoife Dalton

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Leinster and Ireland prop Linda Djougang

Starting at tighthead and switching across to the loosehead side, prop Linda Djougang made her 58th Test appearance for Ireland last Sunday

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Brittany Hogan with fellow Ulster native Sadhbh McGrath

Brittany Hogan trains with her former Ulster team-mate, Sadhbh McGrath, during the build-up to Ireland's Galway game against Japan

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Ulster second row Olivia McKinley

Young lock Olivia McKinley is experiencing her first Ireland senior camp after only recently making her Ulster debut during the Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship

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Versatile Ireland forward Dorothy Wall

With 43 Test appearances, Dorothy Wall is closing in on her 50th Ireland cap, as are fellow forwards, Neve Jones (47) and Brittany Hogan (44)