Seven-try Ireland seal consecutive wins over Japan
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Ireland (22) 43
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Tries: Cahill, Hogan, Jones, McGann, Parsons, McInerney, Barrett Cons: O'Brien 2, Breen 2
Japan (7) 19
Tries: Korai, Asari, Nagata Cons: Nishi 2
Ireland scored seven tries as they secured a comprehensive 43-19 win over Japan in their Test match at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Saturday.
Scott Bemand's side had defeated the same opponents in a WXV Global Series encounter in Galway the previous weekend.
Ireland recovered from conceding an early try to cross the whitewash four times in the first half to help them to a 22-7 advantage at the break.
Japan rallied but the hosts extended their lead in the second period to ensure they travel to face South Africa for a two-match series in the WXV with confidence high and momentum gathered.
Alana McInerney and Sophie Barrett both marked their debuts off the bench with tries.
Ireland had begun their series of autumn matches with a disappointing 40-36 defeat by the USA at Tallaght Stadium but recovered to beat Japan 31-24 in Galway.
The opening minutes of Saturday's contest were marked by a high penalty count on the part of Ireland and Japan took full advantage of their indiscipline as Sakurako Korai barged over from close range after just five minutes.
Emily Lane dotted down soon after but the score was ruled out for an infringement in the build-up.
Prop Eilis Cahill powered over after Ireland worked the ball well through the phases, with Dannah O'Brien's conversion levelling the scores.
Masami Kawamura was sin-binned for cynical play in holding up an attack and Ireland made use of their numerical advantage when Brittany Hogan rumbled over to build on her double try-scoring appearance last week.
Sustained pressure from the home side resulted in two further touchdowns before the interval.
Neve Jones crashed over after some enterprising play and another huge maul effort and then Anna McGann showed strength to stretch and ground the ball after Niamh Gallagher broke through and Erin King provided the pass.
Just two minutes after the resumption, Beibhinn Parsons rode a tackle and went over after a flowing move through the hands as she extended her all-time record of Ireland tries to 25.
Parsons accelerated and dotted down over the try-line, with O'Brien adding the extras.
Teenager Nami Asari led something of a Japan fightback as patient play culminated in her scoring for the second week in a row.
Nijiho Nagata crashed over from another maul to reduce the deficit to 10 but the away side's momentum was halted when Nishi was yellow-carded for head-to-head contact on King.
McInerney shrugged off a couple of attempted tackles and dived over beside the upright after being introduced off the bench.
Then, as the clock ticked into the red, it was the turn of fellow debutant Barrett to pick up and dive across the line for try number seven for her side.
Enya Breen's conversion put 24 points between the teams at the final whistle.
Team line-ups
Ireland: Niamh Gallagher; Beibhinn Parsons; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton; Robyn O'Connor; Dannah O'Brien, Emily Lane; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Eilis Cahill; Jane Clohessy, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan; Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Jemima Adams Verling.
Replacements: Beth Buttimer, Sadhbh McGrath, Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan, Grace Moore, Aoibheann Reilly, Enya Breen, Alana McInerney.
Japan: Maiko Nishi; Haruka Hirotsu, Uta Kataoka, Mana Furuta, Komachi Imakugi; Sawa Harada, Moe Tsukui (capt); Hinata Komaki, Moe Nagaoka, Wako Kitano; Masami Kawamura, Yuna Sato; Nami Asari, Sakurako Korai, Jennifer Nduka.
Replacements: Nijiho Nagata, Nami Yoshida, Juka Fuji, Saya Nakamura, Otoka Yoshimura, Mio Nishimura, Suzuka Nakashima, Kanna Hayashi.