Ireland Complete Series Sweep With 43-19 Rout of Japan

Ireland finished their women's Test series against Japan in style, running in seven tries in a 43-19 victory at Virgin Media Park in Cork to complete a 2-0 series sweep. Having edged the opener 31-24 in Galway last week, the hosts left no doubt second time around. Béibhinn Parsons was named player of the match after another electric display, while there were dream debuts for Alana McInerney and Sophie Barrett, both of whom marked their first caps with tries. Ireland's attacking depth overwhelmed a Japanese side that simply couldn't live with the pace and power on display. The defeat had consequences beyond the series: Japan slipped from 11th to 12th in the World Rugby rankings, with Wales moving up to 11th. For Ireland, a perfect home campaign builds real momentum — and underlines the growing depth in the squad ahead of sterner tests to come.