'They're the future of Irish rugby' - McWilliams proud after exciting Irish win

Ireland head coach Greg McWilliams says his youthful back line showed they can be "the future of Irish rugby", after his side produced an emphatic nine-try win against Japan in Shizuoka.

Ireland survived a horrendous start, conceding 15 unanswered points inside the first 11 minutes, but it proved to be nothing more than an early blip as they powered to a 57-22 win against the Shakura XV.

The head coach had shown his faith in youth for the first Test, handing 18-year-old Dannah O'Brien a debut at out-half, while also giving debuts to Aoife Dalton, Méabh Deely and Natasja Behan.

Dalton and Deely both crossed for tries in the rout, while O'Brien steered the ship with an assured performance, kicking six conversions from nine for a personal tally of 12 points.

"She's 18 years of age, a lot to learn, but we've got a generational player there - we've got a few of them," said McWilliams of his new out-half.

"Our job now is to develop Dannah, and there are still areas of her game to work on.

"I'm thinking about her family, her rugby club (Tullow RFC), they can be very proud of what they've done to develop her. She's a special talent, and one of a few. I can't wait to see where she gets to as an individual."

There were further debuts for Ulster's Taryn Schultzer and Leinster's Leah Tarpey, and McWilliams says his six new caps showed the future is bright for Irish rugby.

"You look at Taryn who came on at the end, and Leah Tarpey, and Aoife Dalton, Méabh Deely, Tash Behan, they're the future of Irish rugby, and they've come through the club game, and are showing they belong at this stage.

"We gave young people an opportunity and maybe poeple questioned it, but when you're seeing it day to day, after that performance you can see there is a