Brave Sakura Fifteens Fall to Ireland in Pool C Opener

The Sakura Fifteen have fallen to Ireland 42-14 in their opening Pool C match at Rugby World Cup 2025. Playing with courage, endeavour and a never-say-die attitude, the Sakura Fifteen brought the fight right to the Irish, however it wasn’t to be there day. While Ireland were deserved winners, with their 42 points reflecting their dominance, Japan will no doubt rue their missed opportunities where they should have added additional points to the scoreboard.

The match started at a fast and frenetic pace with Ireland putting immediate pressure on Japan from the opening minutes. Utilising the speed and size of their backline out wide, while probing up the middle through their big, bruising forwards, Ireland raced out to a 21-0 lead within the first 25 minutes.

Japan eventually found some rhythm and took advantage of a faltering Irish lineout to post their first score. Following an attacking scrum deep inside the Irish 22, Japan mounted their first attacking foray of the match. Some powerful interplay between the forwards and the backs saw Japan continually pepper the Irish line.

Ireland then scored their fourth try just ahead of the break to go into the sheds 28-7 at halftime. While the girls in green were showing their ascendency, Japan had found some rhythm at the end of the first half and there was a definite sense they could stage a fightback in the second stanza.

Winger Komachi Imakugi looked to have a clear run to the left corner, only to be dragged down by the covering Irish tackle. Japan secured the ball at the ensuing ruck and two phases later, inside centre Haruka Hirotsu barged through the defence to dot down for the Sakura Fifteen’s first try.

Three minutes into the second half, Japan secured an attacking lineout deep in Irish territory. Taking the ball cleanly and forming a solid driving maul, the Sakura Fifteen pack steamed steadily to the line. As the ball went down, somehow it was deemed short, so following four additional phases of forwards attacking the line, blindside flanker Masami Kawamura busted over at close range to get Japan’s second.

Ten minutes later, with Japan trailing 28-14, the Sakura Fifteen mounted another sustained attack at the Irish line. What looked to be the start of the Japanese fightback, with a near certain try in the offing, turned to heartbreak for Japan as a stray pass was picked off by the Irish outside centre who raced away for an end-to-end intercept try under the posts.

In what could have been a seven-point margin, with the chance of a surging Japanese fightback instantly became a 35-14 lead to Ireland. This was then further stretched to 42-14 following an Irish try with 15 minutes left on the clock. Japan continued to fight and give their all, but the Irish defence tightened up, leaving no room for the Sakura Fifteen to exploit.

Directly following the match during her pitch side interview, Sakura Fifteen Head Coach Lesley McKenzie said:

“We weren’t able to get the territory and momentum in the first half that we wanted, but you can’t fault the girls on their effort, especially their response in the second half. We’ve had a really good warmup now and we have the rest of the pool play to get through. This has been fabulous in terms of reinforcement of things we know we can do, and for some adjustments going into New Zealand next week. The main thing for us is that we had a response in that second half for a first half that wasn’t what we wanted it to be. If we can take the positives, the ambition and the physicality from the second half into next week we will be alright and be able to put our game on the field which is want we want.”

The Sakura Fifteen will now start preparing for their next clash against incumbent World Champions New Zealand at Sandy Park in Exeter on Sunday, August 31. With Sakura Fifteen’s prop Sachiko Kato and centre Kanako Kobayashi both having played for local Premiership Women’s Rugby side, the Exter Chiefs, it will be a welcome return for both players to the beautiful Southwest of England.

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C

Sunday 24 August
Ireland v Japan
42-14 (L)
Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

Sunday 31 August
New Zealand v Japan
Sandy Park, Exeter

Sunday 7 September
Japan v Spain
York Community Stadium, York