Edel McMahon returns to Ireland team for World Cup opener against Japan

By Jim van Wijk, PA

Ireland will have co-captain Edel McMahon back in the side for their World Cup opener against Japan in Northampton on Sunday.

Exeter flanker McMahon, 31, missed the last two warm-up matches with a knee problem, but returns in one of four changes to the side which started the 47-26 defeat to Canada in Belfast.

Ruth Campbell comes into the second row, while Fiona Tuite will switch out to the flank as Sam Monaghan plays at lock.

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand has brought in Eve Higgins at centre and Amee-Leigh Costigan on the wing. Brittany Hogan stays in at number eight.

There is plenty of strength in depth on the bench, which includes hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, who is at her second World Cup, and former England prop Ellena Perry, with Emily Lane, Enya Breen and Anna McGann providing cover across the back-line.

However, Ireland are without Aoife Wafer – the 2025 Women’s Six Nations player of the tournament – as she continues to work on rehabilitation from knee surgery, but is expected to be involved at some stage.

After taking on Japan, who are ranked 11th in the world, in their opening Pool C fixture, Ireland will then play Spain before tackling defending champions New Zealand in Brighton on September 7th.

Ireland v Japan: Stacey Flood; Béibhinn Parsons, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan; Dannah O’Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Niamh O’Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang; Ruth Campbell, Sam Monaghan (co-capt); Fiona Tuite, Edel McMahon (co-capt), Brittany Hogan.

Replacements: Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Ellena Perry, Sadhbh McGrath, Eimear Corri-Fallon, Grace Moore, Emily Lane, Enya Breen, Anna McGann.