Japan Sakura XV and Ireland will go at it again, although not as part of the WXV Global Series 2026, as the teams play on Saturday 3 October at Virgin Media Park, Tramore Rd, Cork.
Photo Credit – IRFU
Following Ireland’s 31-24 win last week over Japan in Galway, Irish Head Coach Scott Bemand said: “It was a tough game, and the Japanese are a good team. A well-organised team. We played them recently in the World Cup (last year) and knew that they would bring layers to their game.
They have got a new head coach (Toshizumi Kitagawa), a second row, and he’s going to be passionate about the lineout and the maul, and we knew that challenge was coming.”
He has selected Jane Clohessy and Niamh Gallagher for their first starts for Ireland, and three uncapped players are in line for their debuts off the bench: Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan & Alana McInerney. There are several other changes to the matchday 23 compared to last week.
Japan were in the ascendancy in the second half but gifted the Irish two tries from sloppy mistakes, but the 19 points they conceded early in the game always put them on the back foot to try and secure their only second win ever over Ireland.
While the rolling maul was a potent weapon for Japan, they lost two of their lineouts and were dominated at scrum time, with the team in green winning five scrum penalties.
Japan Head Coach Toshizumi Kitagawa has kept the faith with mostly a similar team to that which lost in Galway. There is only one change to the starting XV, with Haruka Hirotsu starting on the right wing. Among the reserves, Saya Nakamura, Suzuka Nakashima (for just her second cap), and Kanna Hayashi come into the team.
Match Permutations
- Ireland will fall two places to seventh if beaten by Japan and cannot improve on fifth place if they win.
- If Japan loses, they would drop below Wales.
- If the Sakura XV win, they can equal their all-time high of 10th IF South Africa also lose to Spain in their WXV Global Series match and one of the margins is more than 15 points.
Sakura XV Women’s Squad vs Ireland – 2026
More of the matchday squad from the JRFU can be seen here.
Ireland Squad vs Japan Sakura XV – 2026
Starting XV
15. Niamh Gallagher (Trailfinders Women/IQ Rugby)(3)
14. Béibhinn Parsons (Blackrock College/Connacht)(37)
13. Anna McGann (Railway Union RFC/Connacht)(19)
12. Aoife Dalton (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(35)
11. Robyn O’Connor (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(5)
10. Dannah O’Brien (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(37)
9. Emily Lane (Blackrock College RFC/Munster)(27)
1. Linda Djougang (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(59)
2. Neve Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)(48)
3. Eilís Cahill (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(6)
4. Jane Clohessy (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(2)
5. Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan (Old Belvedere RFC/Ulster)(27)
6. Brittany Hogan (Sale Sharks)(45)
7. Erin King (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)(14)(captain)
8. Jemima Adams Verling (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)(2)
Replacements:
16. Beth Buttimer (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(1)
17. Sadhbh McGrath (Cooke RFC/Ulster)(23)
18. Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Cooke RFC/Ulster)*
19. Kate Jordan (Blackrock College/Leinster)*
20. Grace Moore (Munster)(29)
21. Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock College RFC/Connacht)(21)
22. Enya Breen (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)(33)
23. Alana McInerney (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)*
*denotes an uncapped player
Match Officials
- Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
- Assistant Referee 1: Holly Wood (RFU)
- Assistant Referee 2: Amber Stamp-Dunstan (WRU)
- TMO: Dan Jones (RFU)
- FPRO: Host union appointment
How To Watch WXV Global Series 2026
As this is not a WXV Global Series fixture, it appears as if it will be streamed on IrishRugby+.
Japan Sakura XV News
- Japan Defeated By Ireland in WXV Global Series But Showed Improvements.
- WXV Global Series 2026 Preview – Ireland vs Japan.
- Sakura XV Lose Heavily to Italy In WXV Global Series 2026 Opener.
- JRFU Appoints Toshizumi Kitagawa As the New Sakura XV Head Coach Before WXV 2026.
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