Ireland back row Aoife Wafer will miss Sunday’s WXV Global Series match against Japan in Galway after sustaining a minor training injury. Her absence follows Ireland’s surprising 40-36 defeat by the United States, in which they surrendered a 19-point lead, prompting head coach Scott Bemand to make six changes.

Beibhinn Parsons, Anna McGann and Aoibheann Reilly return in the backline, while Eilís Cahill makes her first Ireland start and Neve Jones comes in at hooker. Brittany Hogan replaces Wafer in the back row, and uncapped Munster hooker Beth Buttimer, 21, is included among the replacements and is set to make her Test debut.