Ireland are looking to respond and they're patiently building through the phases.

We're three minutes in and Ireland have given away three penalties...

Japan are just inches away from the try line.

Ireland are pinged once again for jumping across in the line-out, so Japan have the advantage once again.

An early score on the cards here?

It's back to advantage and Japan kick to touch.

They opt for a short line-out, but will their rolling maul be as strong as last week or can Ireland hold them out?

The Sakura Fifteen look to start fast but Ireland's defence is holding strong so far.

And we're under way at Virgin Media Park in Cork!

Image source, Inpho

Time for the anthems! Lots of smiling faces as Ireland face their supporters.

Just a few minutes until we kick off.

Both teams are out on the pitch and there are lots of Irish Rugby flags waving in the Cork stands.

It's almost go time!

Can Ireland come out top against Japan in their second meeting this international window?

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Ireland have been on a mini tour during this WXV Global Series and international window, playing in Dublin, Galway and Cork and there’ll be plenty more action across the island in the upcoming Women’s Six Nations campaign.

Big news broke this week as it was confirmed that Ireland's 2027 Women's Six Nations encounter with England will be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Ireland played their first standalone women's Six Nations fixture at the Aviva Stadium earlier this year and will welcome the reigning world champions England to Dublin in the fourth round of fixtures on 8 May for another contest at the home of Irish Rugby.

A crowd of 31,294 watched the 54-5 win over Scotland in May, a record crowd for a women's match in Ireland.

"Playing at Aviva Stadium last season was an incredible and landmark experience for the group and we're really excited to be returning to the home of Irish rugby in 2027," said Ireland captain Erin King.

"These are the occasions you want to be involved in as a player and with two big home matches against France and England coming up in 2027, there is huge motivation for us as a group to produce the occasions and performances that will inspire and excite our Green Wave."

The girls in green will kick off their 2027 Championship against Scotland away at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Saturday, 10 April, before returning to Galway’s Dexcom Stadium on Saturday, 17 April to host France.

Scott Bemand’s side will then travel to Wales, before welcoming England to the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 8 May for their penultimate fixture.

A trip to Italy in the final round will bring Ireland’s 2027 campaign to a close.

It's safe to say a huge Six Nations campaign awaits!

Image source, Getty Images

Beibhinn Parsons became Ireland women's all-time record try scorer as they held off a late comeback from Japan to register a 31-24 win in the WXV Global Series at Dexcom Stadium last Sunday.

Tries from Brittany Hogan and Parsons gave the home side the lead after a dominant first half.

Japan looked strong after the restart before Parsons registered her 24th Test try to take the scoring record and help them secure the win.

Like Parsons, Hogan completed a try double, with Aoife Dalton also crossing for the hosts.

Read the full match report from last week's game here, external.

Will Parsons dot down again in this clash and who will come out on top today?

We'll find out shortly!

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland captain Erin King said her side "showed what we're all about" after they bounced back to earn their first WXV Global Series win with a 31-24 victory over Japan last weekend.

Having surrendered a 19-point lead to lose to the USA the previous week, Ireland scored five tries to see off a spirited Japan at Galway's Dexcom Stadium.

Beibhinn Parsons crossed twice to become Ireland women's all-time record try scorer, with Brittany Hogan (2) and Aoife Dalton also touching down.

"[I'm] definitely very proud of the girls, they stuck in there until the end and showed what we're all about," King told TG4.

"Last week asked questions of us and I think we answered them today.

"It was really important for us. We definitely had some frustrations. It was tough, we learned a lot, we had a really good training week and we showed out there in parts what we can do.

"But fair play to Japan, they really brought it to us and it was no easy feat."

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland's next stop after today's clash with Japan is South Africa...

The WXV Global Series action will continue later this month when Scott Bemand and his side travel to Cape Town for a two-Test tour.

Ireland will face the hosts on consecutive weekends at Athlone Stadium, with the first Test taking place on Saturday, 24 October (14:00 BST), before the series concludes on Saturday, 31 October (13:00 GMT).

There's still plenty more thrilling international rugby to watch over the next few weeks!

Toshizumi Kitagawa has opted for continuity in his starting side from last week and has made just one change to the XV that started in Galway.

Haruka Hirotsu comes onto the right wing in place of Sora Nishimura, joining Komachi Imakugi in the back three, with Maiko Nishi continuing at full-back.

The remainder of the backline is unchanged, with captain Moe Tsukui, who earned her 50th Test cap in Galway, starting at half-back alongside Sawa Harada at fly-half.

Meanwhile, Mana Furuta and Uta Kataoka continue their partnership in the centres.

The starting forward pack is unchanged following a strong outing in Galway, as Hinata Komaki, Moe Nagaoka and Wako Kitano form the front row and Masami Kawamura and Yuna Sato make up the second row.

Nami Asari, Sakurako Korai and Jennifer Nduka complete the pack.

Nagaoka crossed twice in Galway, while Asari also scored as Japan’s forwards played an increasingly influential role as the match progressed.

There are a number of changes in the bench. Nijiho Nagata, Nami Yoshida and Juka Fuji continue as the front row replacements, while Saya Nakamura comes into the matchday squad and is joined by Otoka Yoshimura and Mio Nishimura among the reserve forwards. Suzuka Nakashima and Kanna Hayashi complete the 23 and will provide the backline cover.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has handed first starts to Jane Clohessy and Niamh Gallagher for the contest with Japan.

The trio of Sophie Barrett, Kate Jordan and Alana McInerney are also set to make their Ireland debuts off the bench.

Munster's Clohessy will win her third cap with a maiden start in the second row, while full-back Gallagher has been named in the starting team for the first time.

Despite the chance to offer new faces experience, there are also plenty of experienced names in Bemand's line-up.

Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Eilis Cahill make up the front row, with Clohessy and Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan in the second row.

Erin King captains the side from flanker, and she is joined in the back row by last week's player of the match Brittany Hogan and Jemima Adams Verling.

Emily Lane and Dannah O'Brien retain their half-back partnership, while Anna McGann, who has won the majority of her 19 Ireland caps on the wing, will partner Aoife Dalton at centre.

The back three is made up of Beibhinn Parsons and Robyn O'Connor, who join Gallagher on her first start.

Key back row Aoife Wafer will not be risked in the Test after a "minor" training injury kept her out of the team to face Japan last Sunday.

On the bench, Beth Buttimer and Sadhbh McGrath provide front-row cover, with Barrett, Jordan and Grace Moore completing the forward replacements and Aoibheann Reilly, Enya Breen and McInerney making up the backline options.

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Hello everyone and welcome to our coverage as Ireland and Japan go head-to-head once again during this international window.

Scott Bemand’s side came out top in a thrilling 31-24 victory over Japan in their WXV Global Series clash on Sunday, but who will come out on top in this Test at Virgin Media Park in Cork?

This fixture may sit outside the WXV Global Series, but another entertaining contest still awaits this afternoon as the Ireland head coach and his squad will be keen to keep up their winning ways in front of their home fans before they embark on a two-match tour to South Africa later this month.

Stay with us as we bring you all the action from Cork!

Image source, Getty Images