The green fields of Ireland weren’t the only fields talked about on this week’s Bord Bia trade mission to Japan, with rugby fields referenced at every opportunity.

The experts reckon the rugby world cup will be one of the best chances Ireland will ever get to establish our identity in Japan. Regardless of the outcome, Ireland playing Japan on 28 September is seen as a major plus for Irish relations.

Minister Michael Creed presented his Japanese counterpart Takamori Yoshikawa with an Irish rugby jersey when they signed an agreement on Irish sheepmeat access to Japan.