Overview

• Ireland beat Japan 42-14 in Northampton, scoring six converted tries for their highest World Cup tally as Eve Higgins’ length-of-the-field interception proved the turning point.
• New Zealand opened their title defense with a 54-8 win over Spain in York, where Portia Woodman‑Wickliffe extended her all-time World Cup try record to 21.
• The Black Ferns finished with 13 players after injuries, including a serious leg injury to replacement Kaipo Olsen‑Baker who was stretchered off in the second half.
• South Africa overpowered debutants Brazil 66-6 in Northampton, with No. 8 Aseza Hele scoring a hat-trick as Brazil registered their first World Cup points via two penalties.
• Earlier results bolstered the hierarchy, with Scotland defeating Wales 38-8 on a Francesca McGhie hat-trick and Canada routing Fiji 65-7 as Julia Schell scored six tries in 23 minutes.