Ireland achieved its highest Women’s Rugby World Cup score after putting down Japan 42-14 in Northampton on Sunday.

The Irish scored six converted tries to pass their previous World Cup high of 40-5 against Kazakhstan in 2014.

Both teams, in the same pool as defending champion New Zealand and Spain, targeted their tournament opener at sunny Franklin’s Gardens as a key step toward making the quarterfinals. Japan gave away height and weight advantages to higher-ranked Ireland but won their last matchup in 2022 and was buoyed by wins this year over the U.S. and Spain.

Japan had eight visits to the 22, almost as many as Ireland, but wasn’t as good at protecting the ball. And Ireland’s ability to break tackles and produce almost 400 post-contact meters was also decisive.

Ireland used its fi

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