Ireland and Japan know what to expect from each other having played two trial matches at UCD back in June, with the WRWC 2017 hosts coming away with narrow 24-22 and 24-15 victories over a side that has since been crowned Asian champions once again.
2017 WOMEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP – POOL C: Sunday, August 13
IRELAND WOMEN (2nd) v JAPAN WOMEN (4th), UCD Bowl, 5.15pm (live eir Sport 2/RTÉ Two/www.rte.ie/live (Republic of Ireland only)/www.rwcwomens.com live stream (in certain regions))
Team News: The Ireland Women’s team to play Japan in their second Pool C match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup features one new cap – scrum half Nicole Cronin, a former Ireland Sevens Player of the Year from Limerick. Today’s clash kicks off at 5.15pm at the UCD Bowl.
Head coach Tom Tierney has made seven personnel changes and two positional switches to the side that defeated Australia on the tournament’s opening night.
Some regular starters are rested with next Thursday’s showdown against France looming large on the horizon, while the Irish management are keen to see the incoming players stake their claims for a starting berth.
Tighthead Ciara O’Connor, who impressed off the bench against the Wallaroos, comes in for her first international start in the front row, replacing Ailis Egan. It will be a fifth start for Ciara Cooney who pairs up with Sophie Spence, an influential try-scoring replacement on Wednesday, in the second row.
The fourth and final change in the forwards sees Kerry’s Ciara Griffin rewarded for her own try-scoring cameo as a replacement. She will join Ashleigh Baxter and Claire Molloy in a rejigged back row, with Ireland’s WRWC 2017 captain moving to number 8.
Nicole Cronin will win her first 15s cap for Ireland as she partners the 46-times capped Nora Stapleton at half-back. Sene Naoupu is joined by Wexford native Katie Fitzhenry in the centre, the pair both being dual-code internationals.
Galway woman Mairead Coyne comes in to make her World Cup debut at full-back, meaning Hannah Tyrrell, who scored a try and kicked the match-winning conversion against Japan back in June, reverts to the right wing. Experienced winger Alison Miller completes the back-three.
Sevens international Louise Galvin is standing by to make her 15s debut off the bench, while flanker Anna Caplice and versatile Blackrock back Jeamie Deacon are poised to win their second caps in the green jersey.
Talking about the build-up to the Japan game and the selection, Tierney said: “We had a really tough encounter with Australia in the opening game, and while we came away with the win, there’s a number of areas that we’ve focused on over the past two days that we will need to improve on for the match against Japan.
“We know that the Japanese are going to throw everything at us on Sunday evening. They’re very fit, they like to move the ball wide and they are very quick to the breakdown.
“We’ve made a number of changes to the side from the Australia game with a view to giving some players a rest from what was a very physical game, but we also want to give the other members of the squad the opportunity to show what they can do against a fast and agile Japanese team.”
Today’s Pool C fixture between Ireland and Japan will be broadcast live on eir Sport 2 and RTÉ Two. RTÉ 2fm will have live commentary on radio. There will be live streaming available on www.rwcwomens.com in selected regions.
Meanwhile. looking to bounce back from their 72-14 hammering by France, Japan have made just two enforced changes following big number 8 Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave’s WRWC-ending injury and the suspension of centre Makiko Tomita.
Bogidraumainadave scored a try but also fractured her right leg during that heavy defeat to the French and her loss, in a number of areas, will be keenly felt by the Japanese outfit. Hooker Chihiro Kobayashi has replaced her in their 2017 World Cup squad.
The 21-year-old Maki Takano, who is considerably smaller (69kg compared to 93kg) and less experienced than Bogidraumainadave, will deputise for the Fijian-born powerhouse at number 8. Riho Kurogi comes in for Tomita at inside centre, the latter has been hit with a three-match ban for dangerous tackle on France’s Carla Neisen in their tournament opener.
The Japanese back-line is particularly youthful with winger Honoka Tsutsumi and Minori Yamamotoboth aged 20, Kurogi and full-back Mayu Shimizu are 19, Kurogi’s centre partner Iroha Nagata is 18, while high school scrum half Moe Tsukui is even younger at just 17.
Tsutsumi and Shimizu scored tries in Japan’s 24-22 loss to the girls in green in the first of two uncapped trial games at UCD in early June, while Tsutsumi also crossed the whitewash in the sides’ second clash on the Belfield campus – a 24-15 reversal for Goshi Arimizu’s charges.
WRWC 2017 Ticket Exchange Programme
Where To Watch – WRWC 2017 Broadcast Information
For more on the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup, visit the tournament website – www.rwcwomens.com. Buy your match tickets for the #WRWC2017 finals stages now on www.ticketmaster.co.uk/wrwc2017 and www.ticketmaster.ie/wrwc2017.
IRELAND: Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht); Hannah Tyrrell (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Harlequins), Alison Miller (Old Belvedere/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Nicole Cronin (UL Bohemians/Munster); Lindsay Peat (Railway Union/Leinster), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster), Ciara O’Connor (Galwegians/Connacht), Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Ciara Griffin (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ashleigh Baxter (Cooke/Ulster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht) (capt).
Replacements: Leah Lyons (Highfield/Munster), Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Anna Caplice (UL Bohemians/Munster), Larissa Muldoon (Railway Union/Ulster), Jeamie Deacon (Blackrock/Leinster), Louise Galvin (UL Bohemians/Munster).
JAPAN: Mayu Shimizu (Nippon Sport Science Univ); Eriko Hirano (Yokohama TKM), Iroha Nagata (Arukas Queen Kumagaya), Riho Kurogi (Arukas Queen Kumagaya), Honoka Tsutsumi (Nippon Sport Science Univ); Minori Yamamoto (Nippon Sport Science Univ), Moe Tsukui (The Second HS, Tokyo University of Agriculture); Makoto Ebuchi (Aoyama Gakuin Univ/Tokyo Phoenix RC), Seina Saito (Pearls) (capt), Saki Minami (Nippon Sport Science Univ), Aoi Mimura (Yokohama TKM), Ayano Sakurai (Nippon Sport Science Univ), Yuki Sue (Arukas Queen Kumagaya), Sayaka Suzuki (RKU Rugby Ryugasaki Grace), Maki Takano (Nippon Sport Science Univ).
Replacements: Misaki Suzuki (Tokyo Phoenix RC), Mizuho Kataoka (Yokohama TKM), Maiko Fujimoto (Yokohama TKM), Aya Nakajima (Arukas Queen Kumagaya), Yui Shiozaki (Tokyo Phoenix RC), Yumeno Noda (Arukas Queen Kumagaya), Ayaka Suzuki (Arukas Queen Kumagaya), AI Tasaka (Arukas Queen Kumagaya).
Referee: Ian Tempest (England)
Assistant Referees: Alhambra Nievas (Spain), Rose Labreche (Canada)
Television Match Official: David Grashoff (England)
Match Odds (Paddy Power): Ireland Women to win: 1/200; Draw: 100/1; Japan Women to win: 100/1
Pre-Match Quotes – Tom Tierney (Ireland Women): “We’ve made a few changes, it’s a squad of 28. It’s the second game of the tournament, recovery has gone very, very well. We had a good review and preview after the Australia game and we’re really looking forward to Japan (tomorrow), which is a different challenge for us. Everyone is in great health and raring to go.
“There’s a plan in place before this World Cup and we need to make sure everyone is up to speed on everything from a playing perspective and we’re very, very pleased that the girls going out (tomorrow) will do a job. We’re not losing the run of ourselves or looking too far ahead. We’re conscious we’re going one game at a day and we’re taking no chances against Japan.
“The girls trained well again today and they’re in great shape. We’ve got 28 players here who are all of international quality, which is a great testament to the plan we put in place three years ago.
“We’re very, very confident if we can impose our game on the Japanese early we’ll give ourselves opportunities to put points on the board but it’s all about winning. I’d make no apologies about that, especially in a tournament like this – it’s just about getting the wins and moving on.
“Whatever about their result against France (a 72-14 defeat), they posed a huge challenge to us, especially at the breakdown, in the couple of games we played earlier in the summer.
“Nicole is a very, very good player and has earned the right to be here in the 28-player squad. We’ve a lot of confidence in her and she’ll go well (tomorrow) as we’ve gone through a lot of things in the last few days and the girls are in good shape.
“We’re really looking forward to it and it’s going to be a great opportunity not only for Nicole but for all of us because we’re getting the opportunity to play in a World Cup at home again, the second game in front of a full crowd at the UCD Bowl. She’ll boss the forwards around and she’ll get the pace of the game up and running. It’s a huge day for her but she’ll go well.”
Lindsay Peat (Ireland Women): “I’ll tell you exactly what it (the support of the home crowd) means. When you’ve a demon in your ear telling you you can’t do this, a couple of thousand Irish people roar at you and those demons are blown away and you just get these goosebumps. You’re just buzzing, you’re invincible.
“You feel invincible and that’s what the crowd did on Wednesday night, they just lifted us and shoved us. That’s what we need in the next four games and if any nation is going to do it, it’s going to be the Irish. On behalf of the team, we’re hugely thankful for everyone getting behind us but we still need you for the next four games and hopefully that’ll be all the way up to a World Cup final.
“We’re champing at the bit, everyone is just biting at Tom’s hand to get their name on the teamsheet. The support has been phenomenal, I believe the viewing figures were over 300,000 and that’s just massive for any sport in Ireland, especially the female game.
“And if people are skeptical without viewing our standard of rugby then they really aren’t a believer in this game, regardless of which sex are playing it. I think there has been a huge show of very talented players and we’ve only had game one. If you’re skeptical, just come and watch us and hopefully we’ll answer those questions (tomorrow).
“If people come along and they say they don’t like the standard of the games that’s their own opinion, but to be honest, I think it was a great game (against Australia), especially for supporters. People who came and watched the game live were absolutely buzzing. If you love rugby and you love sport, it has been a great tournament so far and hopefully it will be a great day again tomorrow.”
Pre-Match Links –
WRWC 2017 Team News: Match Day 2
Tyrrell: We’re Primed For ‘A Different Challenge’ From Japan
Women’s Rugby World Cup Achieves Record-Breaking Figures On Day 1
In Pics: Ireland Women Training At UCD
In Pics: Ireland Captain’s Run At UCD On Eve Of Japan Game
RTÉ Gets Behind Ireland’s WRWC 2017 Campaign
Kim Flood Joins Belton And Rosser On Eir Sport’s WRWC 2017 Team
WRWC 2017: Stat Attack –
IRELAND –
Best finish: Fourth (2014)
Worst finish: 14th (2002)
Women’s Rugby World Cup record: Played 28/Won 13/Lost 15
Women’s Rugby World Cup points scored: 406
Most-capped player in squad: Claire Molloy (54 caps)
Did you know?: Alison Miller’s try at WRWC 2014 gave Irish Rugby their first ever 15s international win over New Zealand at any level and also ended the Black Ferns’ 20-match unbeaten run in the tournament.
Head coach: Tom Tierney
Captain: Claire Molloy
JAPAN –
Best finish: Eighth (1994)
Worst finish: 13th (2002)
Women’s Rugby World Cup record: Played 11/Won 1/Lost 10
Women’s Rugby World Cup points scored: 57
Most-capped player in squad: Seina Saito (17 caps)
Did you know?: Japan’s analyst/skills coach at WRWC 2017 is Keiko Asami, who was part of the last Sakura 15 team to play on this stage back in 2002.
Head coach: Goshi Arimizu
Captain: Seina Saito
Previous Meetings –
1994: Women’s Rugby World Cup: Ireland 11 Japan 3, Boroughmuir
2002: Women’s Rugby World Cup: Ireland 23 Japan 0, Barcelona
2004: Japan Tour Match: Ireland 55 Japan 0, Donnybrook
Support Ireland on www.irishrugby.ie/facebook or search #WRWC2017, #BringIt and #IREvJPN on www.twitter.com/irishrugby.
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