Well, that was quite the afternoon!

Scott Bemand's side did enough to clinch a 31-24 victory over Japan at Dexcom Stadium, with two tries each from Brittany Hogan and Beibhinn Parsons and a score from Aoife Dalton.

There'll be plenty to polish up on as Ireland take on Japan again is six days time in a fixture that sits outside of the WXV Global Series.

Virgin Media Park in Cork will host the match on Saturday, 3 October (14:00 BST).

See you then!

Image source, Getty Images

Japan head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa told TG4:

"We didn't get the result we wanted because this is a Test match and a win is our ultimate goal.

"I'm very pleased at the first half. We were against the wind but defensively we kept going forward and our line speed was really good.

"I said to the girls [at half time] that I wanted them to trust more of their potential and trust themselves better and stronger.

"Overall, I'm pleased."

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland captain Erin King on TG4:

"I'm very, very proud of the girls. They stuck it in there, fought until the very end and showed what we're all about.

"Last week asked questions of us and I think we answered them today.

"We definitely had some frustrations and it was tough. We had a really good training week and showed out there in parts what we could do but also fair play to Japan, they really brought it to us and it was no easy feat."

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand on TG4:

On the game: "I am delighted for the girls

"We have worked our way through the game. The first half, the scoreboard should have looked more favourable for us. There is lots to work on, as always.

"I thought we were better today than last week, so we just have to continue to get better as quickly as we can."

On Parsons: "Amazing.

"She has been around from what feels like forever. She is still so young, there are plenty more tries to come from her."

Player of the match Brittany Hogan told TG4:

"I'm really proud of the girls. We knew we had to dig in deep as that Japanese team never stop.

"They're so, so well drilled and it was a great game out there. We need to come in on ourselves and have more pride in our try line.

"You could see it was a tale of two halves. We had the wind with us in the first half, and we were against it in the second, so we just had to try and play with it.

"It's hard here in the Dexcom but it's a great crowd, it's a great place and we've got really good memories here."

Image source, Getty Images

There's only one word for today's player of the match: Sensational!

Brittany Hogan was all over the pitch, worked tirelessly throughout the 80 minutes, continually chased the ball down and of course grounded Ireland's opening two tries.

A superb outing by the Sale Sharks flanker. Very impressive performance.

Brittany Hogan comes up fast and hard and wins a penalty for Ireland with the clock almost two minutes in the red.

Dannah O'Brien sends the ball into touch and Ireland hold on to the win at Dexcom Stadium in Galway.

What a match. Ireland secure a 31-24 victory over Japan.

The Sakura Fifteen are playing with the advantage.

Japan win a penalty and they've opted to pick and go.

A final score for the visitors before full time?

Ireland have the ball again.

Dannah O'Brien launches a cross kick to Vicky Elmes Kinlan on the wing, but Elmes Kinlan's pass is unable to find Aoife Dalton.

Ireland need to keep their discipline in check, as Japan have the ball in hand and are building phases.

A converted try would be enough for the visitors to take the win.

More changes have been made for Ireland.

Grace Moore, Jane Clohessy and Emily Lane are all on the pitch.

10 minutes left on the clock of this tight contest.

Will Ireland hold on to their lead in Galway?

Sadhbh McGrath is pinged and Japan have a line-out just metres out from Ireland's line.

A great effort by Sawa Harada and Uta Kataoka ends in a knock on as Parsons puts the pressure on, so Ireland have the scrum.

Dexcom Stadium has just lit up as Beth Buttimer enters the pitch for her Ireland debut.

The 21-year-old hooker has been a travelling reserve 18 times for Ireland, had a superb campaign for Munster in the Women's Interprovincial Championship and it's safe to say it'll be the first of many caps in green for her.

Dannah O'Brien finds Beibhinn Parsons on the wing.

Scott Bemand's side are patiently working through the phases to inch into Japan's 22.