Beibhinn Parsons became Ireland women's all-time record try scorer as they held off a late comeback from Japan to register a 31-24 win in the WXV Global Series at Dexcom Stadium. Tries from Brittany Hogan and Parsons gave the home side the lead after a dominant first half. Japan looked strong after the restart before Parsons registered her 24th Test try to take the scoring record and help them secure the win. Scott Bemand will be happy with his side's response after they let a 19-point lead slip away against the USA in their WXV Global Series opener at Tallaght Stadium. Both sides had to navigate a strong wind in Galway, and it was Ireland who adjusted to the challenging conditions the quickest. Hogan showed great persistence to cross from close range after 10 minutes. The first half was scrappy with many stoppages, and neither side was able to break through the other's defense. Hogan extended Ireland's lead again after a nice move from Aoibheann Reilly around the half-hour mark. A defensive error allowed Japan a chance to score their first try, but Anna McGann rushed back to stop Nami Asari's run. Ireland extended their lead further with a superb solo run from Parsons in her home town on 37 minutes. After captain Erin King received a yellow card, Japan scored a late first-half try when Moe Nagaoka crashed over. Japan started the second half strongly, and Nagaoka crossed from a maul to reduce Ireland's lead. Unlike their previous match against the USA, Bemand's team responded well to this setback, with Aoife Dalton scoring shortly after coming off the bench. The match remained highly competitive, with Japan continuing to push and Nijiho Nagata scoring Japan's third try from a maul. Parsons then produced another impressive run after connecting with McGann's pass, and O'Brien added the extras. In the closing stages, Asari narrowed Ireland's lead after the home side had initially stopped the visitors from crossing, but Japan could not produce a convincing late comeback. Ireland's starting line-up included players such as Flood, Parsons, McGann, Higgins, and Elmes Kinlan, with O'Brien and Reilly in the backs. The replacements included Buttimer, McGrath, and Dalton. Japan's line-up featured players like Nishi, S Nishimura, Kataoka, and Asari, with Komaki and Nagaoka in the forwards. Replacements for Japan included Nagata, Yoshida, and Havili Kagawa.