Beibhinn Parsons

Japan ensured a nervous last ten minutes for the Dexcom crowd as they secured their third try of the game and with a successful conversion Ireland's lead was cut to just five points.

It was the local hero, however, Bethan Parsons, who put the concerns of the Galway crowd to bed, capitalising on a Japanese handle and error to run in for her second try of the game.

Japan gave themselves a sliver of hope, scoring with less than 60 seconds remaining through Nami Asari, bringing the game back to a single score once more.

But that's how it would finish here in the Dexcom.

I thought Dan O'Brien was incredibly calm at outside half, trying to do the work through the middle, get the ball into Vicky Hamilton's hands or Jermaine Radham's, and the making metres out on the edge.

They took a lot of pressure, what could have been playing in and around our 22, which I thought we got that in the main right.

but then sometimes you can win a game with the ball and sometimes you get some defensive pressure and seeing Baben Parsons pick a ball that a line speed has created a bit of pressure and Japan have put it down, Ana picks it up, Baben streaks into the distance.

You know, sometimes your defence has got to earn it as well.