Expect a backlash from Ireland after USA 'blip'

By this afternoon, we should have a better sense of whether last week's defeat to the USA was a bump in the road, or something of real concern.

Scott Bemand suggested the second half collapse was just a "blip", as his side somehow lost 40-36, having lead by 19 points with 35 minutes to play.

The reaction to the defeat within the Irish camp has been even keeled, with scrum-half Aoibheann Reilly suggesting a few "easy fixes" will get them back on track.

We'll find out how easy those fixes are at Dexcom Stadium this afternoon.

Just like last week, Ireland are big favourites against Japan this afternoon at Dexcom Stadium, and if they can maintain their first half performance from Tallaght on Sunday, they should have far too much for the Sakura XV, who were hammered by Italy in Parma a week ago.

The most frustrating element of last week's defeat was that it overshadowed what had been an evolution in Ireland's attacking game.

They scored six tries in total, with five in the opening 45 minutes, and appeared eager to move the point of attack from touchline to touchline, with sharp handling from the forwards and incisive running lines from their backs creating space all over the pitch.

"When we're good, I thought we looked really good," Bemand said of their attacking game.

"This tournament, where it sits in terms of the grand scheme of things, is really important for us to develop our game.

"We speak about adding layers. If we're going to be competitive in three years' time, we need to be more than just a kicking team.

"We need to be a team that can unleash the edge, can move the ball, can get our dynamic carriers on the ball."

There has been a consistent message in recent months that Bemand and his side want to travel to the next World Cup in Australia in 2029 as "contenders", an if that is to come to pass, maintaining their game across 80 minutes rather than 50 is a non-negotiable.

They paid the price for a second half fall-off last weekend, but as their backs coach Gareth Steenson acknowledged this week, learning how to keep their foot on the accelerator remains a work in progress.

"The tendency is, and we've been guilty of this, that you get points-up, you think you have to keep playing to get points up," he said.

"But ironically, if you sit down and just do the basics well, whether that’s with the ball or without the ball, playing in the right areas, what you tend to find is the opposition start trying to do things and make mistakes.

"You score off the back of it and then it becomes a cricket score. It’s just those types of things. I think it’s just a new space for the girls."

The 40-36 defeat last week wasn't down to a drop-off in the attack, but rather a desperation and lack of clarity in defence, where Ireland lost all discipline around the breakdown, allowing the Americans easy and repeated access to their 22, from which their maul went through the Irish pack like cheese wire.

It went under the radar in the build-up to this international camp that Bemand lost his forwards coach Alan O'Connor over the summer. The former Ulster lock has stepped away for personal reasons after being involved in the Six Nations, with Neil Alcorn covering the forwards coaching brief in this window.

There was also a big frustration at how little impact Ireland got from their bench last week.

As was the case in the Six Nations, Bemand unleashed four replacements at once on 50 minutes, but as the game went against Ireland and they had to chase the game, he only made one more substitution across the rest of the game, leaving Sadhbh McGrath, Jane Clohessy and Niamh Gallagher all as unused subs.

There are six changes to the starting team this week, with the headline news being the injury absence of Aoife Wafer (below).

The Six Nations player of the championship is replaced by Brittany Hogan in the back row, as Jemima Adams Verling gets to start again on home soil in Galway.

Up front, Eilís Cahill makes her first start for Ireland, as Linda Djougang moves to the bench, while Neve Jones comes in at hooker, with Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald rested.

In the backline, Aoibheann Reilly gets the start ahead of Emily Lane, while Anna McGann comes in for Aoife Dalton in the centre, and Beibhinn Parsons returns on the wing, among four Connacht players lining out at Dexcom Stadium.

There is one more debut on the cards this week, with hooker Beth Buttimer set to earn her first cap off the bench.

The 21-year-old has been a regular presence in Ireland squads for more than a year, and has had to be patient for her first Test outing, but after scoring eight tries in a remarkable Interpro campaign for Munster, her form has been impossible to ignore.

"She's a brilliant player and I'm very excited for her to get her opportunity," fellow hooker Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald said of Buttimer (below) last week.

"She's so young and she's had to probably deal with more in terms of that travelling reserve role than anyone else has had to deal with before.

"That's definitely a challenge that is not to be underestimated. You have to do a lot for the team in that role and it is hard. She has had an incredible Interpros and she's a very, very skilful player.

"We're lucky that the three hookers get on very well. We work a lot together in the mornings here, doing our specific skills. When she does get her chance, I'll be very happy for her, as will everyone here."

Japan, who Ireland will also face next weekend in Cork, suffered a heavy 55-21 defeat in Italy a week ago, and they have made two changes to their XV from last weekend, with Moe Nagaoka replacing Asuka Kuge at hooker, and Uta Kataoka taking the place of Haruk Hirotsu t outside centre.

Playing without Wafer will always put extra pressure on Ireland, but it's worth noting that the influential back row was missing when these sides met in the World Cup last year, and on that occasion there was no stopping Ireland in their 42-14 win.

Verdict: Ireland

Ireland: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Anna McGann, Eve Higgins, Vicky Elmes Kinlan; Dannah O'Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones, Eilís Cahill; Dorothy Wall, Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan; Brittany Hogan, Erin King (capt), Jemima Adams Verling

Replacements: Beth Buttimer, Sadhbh McGrath, Linda Djougang, Jane Clohessy, Grace Moore, Emily Lane, Aoife Dalton, Niamh Gallagher

Japan: Maiko Nishi; Sora Nishimura, Uta Kataoka, Mana Furuta, Komachi Imakugi; Sawa Harada, Moe Tsukui; Hinata Komaki, Moe Nagaoka, Wako Kitano; Masami Kawamura, Yuna Sato; Nami Asari, Sakurako Korai, Jennifer Nduka

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