Overview
- Ireland beat Japan 42-14 in Northampton with six different try-scorers, securing a bonus point after leading 28-7 at half-time.
- Eve Higgins sealed Ireland’s win with a length-of-the-field intercept try, and Dannah O’Brien converted all six tries in their return to the tournament.
- Defending champions New Zealand defeated Spain 54-8 in York, finishing the match with 13 players as Portia Woodman-Wickliffe extended her World Cup try record to 21.
- Kaipo Olsen-Baker left on a stretcher with a leg injury and Ayesha Leti-I’iga also departed hurt, with team officials providing no immediate update on their status.
- South Africa thumped debutants Brazil 66-6 as No. 8 Aseza Hele scored a hat-trick, marking the Springboks’ first Women’s World Cup win since 2010 and Brazil’s first appearance at the tournament.