Follow live coverage with text and score updates as Ireland open their campaign against Japan at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton.

SCOTT BEMAND claims his Ireland giants getting the better of the shorter Japanese in their Women’s Rugby World Cup was no small feat. Six tries decorated an emphatic victory but the scoreline

Eve Higgins scored the pivotal try as Ireland launched its Women's Rugby World Cup campaign with a 42-14 victory over Japan in Northampton on Sunday. Japan was on the attack and pressing for another try while trailing 28-14 before inside center Higgins picked off a floating pass and ran the length of the field to score.