World Cup Interest Can 'change The Game' - Flood

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.

Ireland full-back Stacey Flood believes backing from location will beryllium a "really important" facet astatine nan World Cup successful England.

The broadside missed retired connected nan world showpiece 3 years agone successful New Zealand but person steadily rebuilt successful nan intervening play pinch results showing existent betterment aft caput coach Scott Bemand was appointed successful July 2023.

With Ireland's run opening against Japan astatine Franklin's Gardens connected Sunday, nan tourney will bring different level of attention.

"I consciousness for illustration having eyes connected women's rugby and our squad is ne'er going to beryllium a bad thing," said Flood of nan imaginable for added pressure.

"We want nan Irish group down us, we want to person nan support of everyone.

"This is going to beryllium specified a awesome pedestal for women's rugby that I deliberation this is going to alteration nan game, this full tournament, and I deliberation it's really important to get eyes connected that."

Ireland, who will besides look Spain and New Zealand successful Pool C, will effort to attraction connected their ain strengths alternatively than those of nan guidance said Flood.

"Japan, I consciousness for illustration everything they do, they're truthful diligent and, I consciousness for illustration they mightiness not beryllium nan biggest team, but they're truthful skilful.

"They're really bully jackal threats and I deliberation we cognize what they're bully at, but it's besides conscionable astir bringing it backmost to our squad and what our strengths are, not playing excessively overmuch to nan guidance but focussing connected what we tin do successful nan greenish jersey."