Higgins strikes as Ireland see off Japan in Women's Rugby World Cup

Japan were on the attack and pressing for another try, at 28-14 down, before inside centre Higgins picked off a floating pass and ran the length of the field to score. Her try left Japan with too much of a mountain to climb in this Pool C clash after Ireland wing Amee-Leigh Costigan's fifth-minute try had broken the deadlock. Ireland's physical superiority was rewarded by a maul try from Neve Jones before Japan, playing well with ball in hand, deservedly got on the scoreboard with a close-range score from Haruka Hirotsu.