Hooker Jones scores treble in Ireland win

GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY’S hooker Neve Jones scored a hat-trick of tries as Ireland were 57-22 winners over Japan in the first Test.

Jones, who continued her excellent form from the Six Nations earlier this year, became the fourth Irishwoman to score a hat-trick of tries at Test level.

Gloucester-hartpury lock Sam Monaghan was also in the starting line-up.

The sides will meet again at

Tokyo’s Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham has named 12 Gloucester-hartpury players in his 37-player squad that has travelled to Canada for a training week, culminating in a Test match in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this Saturday.

Gwen Crabb, Lleucu George, Cerys Hale, Cara Hope, Natalia John, Hannah Jones, Kelsey Jones, Kerin Lake, Bethan Lewis, Siwan

Lillicrap, Lisa Neumann and Sisilia Tuipulotu are on the week-long trip to Canada, which will include a competitive training session against the Canadians and a Test match against the home team.

When the two teams met in Cardiff last November, Wales led 7-0 at the break before going down 24-7.

Wales also have a pre-world Cup international scheduled against England at Ashton Gate, Bristol on September 14.