'Ireland not shaken by lack of World Cup experience'

Women's Rugby World Cup - Pool C: Ireland v Japan

Venue: Franklin's Gardens, Northampton Date: Sunday, 24 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live connected BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sport website and app.

Co-captain Edel McMahon is assured that Ireland's deficiency of World Cup acquisition will not "shake" nan squad arsenic they hole to look Japan successful their opening game.

Having grounded to suffice successful 2021, hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald is nan only subordinate pinch World Cup acquisition successful nan Ireland squad, pinch 5 appearances successful nan 2017 tournament.

But McMahon, who is group to triumph her 35th headdress connected Sunday, says nan squad person been utilizing nan acquisition of Sevens players specified arsenic Stacey Flood and Amee-Leigh Costigan, who represented Ireland astatine past year's Paris Olympics.

"To beryllium honest, we did speak astir that erstwhile we first came successful for pre-season," said backmost statement McMahon, who has recovered from wounded to commencement against Japan.

"But we besides person girls who person been astatine nan Olympics, being astatine nan biggest world shape you tin ideate into sport, truthful tapping into those headspaces for illustration Leigh, Stacey and each nan girls, they each person different experiences of what it's for illustration to play connected nan world stage.

"We decidedly said astir it arsenic a group but you conscionable don't consciousness for illustration it shakes this group. It doesn't consciousness for illustration it's nan first World Cup for these girls, they conscionable return it successful their stride. It's cool to spot that headspace and mentality that they have."

While nan playing group is almost wholly shorn of World Cup experience, caput coach Scott Bemand was portion of England's backroom squad astatine nan past 2 tournaments.

"I've lived done a couple, and I've surely brought a batch pinch maine from nan past 2 events successful Ireland and New Zealand," said Bemand, who took complete arsenic Ireland leader successful 2023.

"I deliberation that's helped style our preparation, really we deliberation astir this opportunity. Yes, location will beryllium bits that consciousness a spot different, but it's a trial match: there's a pitch, there's a ball, we cognize what we're tin of.

"The playing group look excited, arsenic a coaching group we're excited."