‘They’ve seen what we can do and try to stop us’

Ireland may pride themselves on being next-job focused but Saturday’s shock defeat to Japan still looms large, even with the Pool A clash against Russia just two days away.

Such was the jolt delivered by the host nation to Ireland’s hopes of a smooth passage into the quarter-finals as unbeaten Pool A winners that the players were on Monday given a second opportunity to review at least some of the 19-12 loss in Shizuoka.