Scott Bemand delighted as Ireland put US lessons to good use in Japan win
CIRCLE OF TRUST: A view of a Ireland team huddle after the match against Japan in Galway. Pic: INPHO
Ireland boss Scott Bemand was relieved his side righted the wrongs of their previous defeat by problem-solving their way to a 31-24 Women’s WXV Global Series victory over Japan at Dexcom Stadium on Sunday.
The Irish had been stunned in Tallaght seven days earlier when they blew a 19-point lead over the United States to lose 40-36. There was nearly a repeat in Galway as Japan picked themselves up after going 19-0 down after 35 minutes to a double from flanker Brittany Hogan and the first of wing Beibhinn Parson’s two tries on her way to becoming Ireland's all-time top try scorer on 24.
A yellow card for captain Erin King just before half-time saw the Japanese score two maul tries finished by hooker Moe Nagaoka during that 10-minute sin-binning, with full-back Maiko Nishi's conversion of the second reducing the deficit to 19-12 four minutes after the restart.
Tries from replacement centre Aoife Dalton and Parson’s second on 75 minutes to take her past Alison Miller’s milestone kept Ireland just ahead, those scores coming either side of a third Japan maul try, replacement hooker Nijiho Nagata the finisher, while the visitors hung in long enough to claim a fourth try of their own at the death through flanker Nami Asari.
“It was a tough game,” Bemand admitted. “And the Japanese are a good team, a well-organised team.
“They got a new head coach, a second row, he’s going to be passionate about the lineout and maul, and we knew that challenge was coming. We had some things to put right from last week. And in a tough game, I'm delighted that the team showed a bit of character, a bit of resilience and the wherewithal to come through it.
The record-breaking moment. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/EXsq6CaZJG
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 27, 2026
The Ireland head coach added: “Learning your lessons is always much better from a winning position, isn't it?
“Our execution, we thought we left a few points out in the first half on the try-line, two held-ups, one pushed into touch. And I think the scoreboard should have looked a bit different at half-time, but we knew what we were turning around into.
“We love coming here to Galway, but there is a Galway breeze, and we knew that turning round into that, in some ways, it's a bit easier to play into the wind.
“I'm delighted on the back of last week where we felt we gave entries too easily, conceded scores too easily, that the defence was able to create some pressure. And you know, Béibhinn’s now the record women's try scorer. I think it's great to see her streak into the distance.
“There's still bits to go at. We're not the perfect article by any stretch of the imagination, but I'd say we'll take our lessons from a winning position this week.”
Aside from Parsons’ feat, there was also a Test debut to celebrate for Munster hooker Beth Buttimer, who came on as a replacement on 62 minutes to end a long wait for recognition after time served in the Irish squad.
King, her captain, referenced clips shared on social media this week of Buttimer’s Irish team-mates congratulating her on being selected for her maiden appearance in green and said: “Just unbelievably proud of her and everything she's shown.
“She's such a resilient character, and you can just tell from the videos the close-knit squad that we have, how everyone's genuinely happy for her. I think one of the first people to congratulate her was (rival hooker) Neve Jones, and I think that just shows you all about the team that we are and how we are.
“We're genuinely happy for each other. But yeah, fair play to her. She came on. It wasn't easy, like you said, it was a challenging game, and she came on and held her own. And Scott talked about it in the week; she was 150 per cent ready, and I think she showed that out there. So yeah, we're very proud of her.”
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