The task in front of Lesley McKenzie’s Japan Sakura 15 is a big one as they start their England Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign against Ireland on Sunday, 24th August at Franklins Gardens in Northampton.
The Japanese have talked all build-up to the tournament of having a quarterfinal goal, but that means a win first up is essential against the Irish, as the Japanese have only ever won three out of 20 Women’s Rugby World Cup matches. There are currently six places separating Japan from Ireland in the rankings, with Ireland in 5th and Japan in 11th.
The Japanese have won five from six matches in 2025 and have improved with the addition of experienced coaches such as Mark Bakewell, Berrick Barnes, Simon Middleton and Oliver Richardson.
“We’ve been able to provide the necessary intensity, and the players’ understanding and execution have also improved significantly,” said head coach Mackenzie. They lost their final game before heading to England, a 5-33 defeat to the world’s seventh-ranked side, Italy.
But experienced Sakura 15 Captain Iroha Nagata said ahead of her third RWC tournament, “Every country has prepared thoroughly for the World Cup, so every match will be a challenge. We have also prepared to be just as good as the other countries. We are preparing in a way that gives us confidence. All that’s left now is to get good results.”
Ireland reached the semi-finals of the 2014 tournament and beat New Zealand in last year’s WXV1 (first division).
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand named Co-captains Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon to lead the side in Ireland’s opening match.
The Irish Head coach said of Japan, “They’re a good team. They’re well disciplined, well organised, strong coaching group, so we’re anticipating seeing some stuff we’ve not seen from them before. Pacy, skilful. We’ve picked a team to get our best game out there.
We think we’ve got the selection right to begin the game, and we think we’ve got energy and impact to bring on. We want to hit our straps sooner in games. If we can do that, we can get momentum.”
Irish player Nicole Fowley said of taking on Japan in their opener and of Ireland’s chances at the tournament, “They’re a very good side, very tricky. They have a nice kicking game as well. So, we’ll just be switched on at all times. We’re just taking the tournament game by game, and in the moment. We’re not listening to the outside media. Focusing on Japan is the goal for this week.”
She said of the impact of the Rugby World Cup will have women’s rugby in Ireland,”The numbers in Ireland in women’s rugby are just growing year on year, and with the media getting behind us and broadcasting of all the games, it’s there and it’s available at home on TV for girls and boys to watch growing up.
The more rugby that we can get on screens with younger girls and boys watching it and getting them out to their local clubs, building that pathway into the under-20s and seniors, it’s great.”
Stacey Flood said of the Sakura 15, “Japan are so diligent. They might not be the biggest team, but they’re so skilful and their kicks are on a T, their passes are on a T, they’re really good jackal threats and I think we know what they’re good at, but it’s also just about bringing back to our squad and what our strengths are and not playing too much to the opposition.
This is going to be such a major pedestal for women’s rugby, and I think this is going to change the game, this whole tournament, and I think it’s really important to get eyes on that. The fact that we’re on the same time zone, we’re a 45-minute flight away.”
Assistant coach Larissa Muldoon added of the threat Japan posed, “Japan are a fantastic, ball-focused team and a few key personnel that love to target the ball. We know their kicking threats and their kick to create something with fantastic opportunities across the park. So, we’ve done our homework, but I think it’s all about us now.”
Clara Munarini (Italy) is the match referee.
Match Permutations Japan Sakura 15 vs Ireland WRWC 2025
If the teams draw and Scotland beat Wales by more than 15 points, Japan will enter the top 10 for the first time since the rankings were introduced in February 2016.
Points exchanges are doubled during a Women’s Rugby World Cup, and the Sakura Fifteen will be the higher-ranked team if they win by more than 15 points, with Ireland potentially dropping four places to ninth.
Ireland can marginally increase their ranking points if they do win.
Japan Sakura 15 Squad vs Ireland WRWC 2025
Ireland vs Japan Sakura 15 Squad WRWC 2025
Where to Watch The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
You can view the different broadcast options for the RWC 2025 globally here.
Japan Sakura 15 Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 News