Four debutants included in Ireland XV for opening test in Japan 

Méabh Deely, Natasja Behan, Aoife Dalton and Dannah O'Brien all start in the Ireland backline, while second row Taryn Schultzer and centre Leah Tarpey are named among the replacements for the Saturday night showdown against the Sakura Fifteen in Shizuoka.

FIXTURE: Enya Breen slots in at 12 for the first test against Japan. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

She may be just 18 years of age, but Ireland women's head coach Greg McWilliams said he had absolutely no qualms about handing Tullow's Dannah O'Brien her debut at out-half in Saturday's international test against Japan at Ecopa Stadium in Fukuroi City (kick-off 7pm local time/11am Irish time).

For the first of two encounters on an historic summer tour (they will renew acquaintances in Tokyo on Saturday week), O'Brien is amongst four newcomers in McWilliams' starting line-up. Tullamore centre Aoife Dalton will make her own Irish bow along with Blackrock College duo Méabh Deely and Natasja Behan, while Taryn Schultzer and Leah Tarpey are also expected to pick up their first caps off the bench.