Ireland and the USA face off in the first game of the Rugby World Cup 2011 for both teams. Join us at 4.00pm for the live blog and feel free to contribute comments as the game moves along.
The Irish are certainly not fancied at this World Cup, with some predicting that Italy could advance at their expense. Their year to date has been poor.
The USA though are truly in the early stages of their development, so they are not expected to post a threat.
Ireland have lost four straight games in the warm-ups. Their side is the oldest in the competition, though of course that brings with it a wealth of experience.
The main feature of selection for the Irish is Jonathon Sexton at 10 and his partnership with the unknown scrum half Conor Murray.
In 12 months he has gone from barely being part of his club professional squad to starting the opening world cup match for his country. It is a simply astonishing rise.
Ireland need to use this match to lift their standards and their flagging spirits. They need a boost before tackling Australia and Italy.
USA meanwhile will be keen for a strong showing against a more established rugby nation.
The Eagles will enter this match with a game plan they want to develop against strong opposition to hopefully set themselves up for victories against Russia and possibly Italy.
However in light of Romania taking Scotland so close to the wire on the second day of the cup you can’t say for sure that USA don’t have a chance at making this competitive.
The most important player for the USA Eagles is flanker and Captain Todd Clever. He is the class of their side. His professional achievements include a couple of seasons on the starting side for the Lions in Super Rugby. He will want to lead from the front and inspire his side to its maximum performance.
Ireland enters this match in very poor form and will want to use this game against one of the easier opponents in their pool to play themselves into some sort of form.
Tom T
Guest
Regarding the Penalty at 53+/- mins.: In my opinion from this old fart retired 26 year college/club/old boys #9 from the States: Rather than going for the 3 penalty - this is where Captain Clever should have taken the same chance as a few minutes before with the kick to touch inside the Ireland 22 & close to goal - and done another tap & feed it to the USA Pack to keep driving it over. They were doing very well with the pick-n-jambs before the penalty, wearing town the Irish Pack in the process & eating up the clock. I think they would've scored with that 1 m penalty & be fairly close to the posts for an easy conversion, for 7 rather than 3 on the board. More importantly, it would've denied the Irish possession time, wore them down a bit, and probably demoralized them a bit with a try right into the 2nd half - or at least give them a needed "attitude adjustment" - which would've increased the USA players' confidence and changed the complexion & momentum of the match in the Eagles' favor. Whether it resulted in more points to our side &/or less to the Irish is unknown, but then the final would've been 14-22 at the end - assuming all else went the same, with 2 tries on the board for a more convincing win. The USA Eagles need to be a bit more aggressive in those situations where there is a clear chance of scoring a try, rather than playing the conservative penalty kick! That's my 2 cents worth any-hoo! Cheers Mates! Tom ///////
ian
Guest
Man what a game! My heart bled for the Yanks, they have a lot of potential. Only need to work on the line-outs and scrums other than that their game was supreme. Tod you are an inspiration. You guys CAN do it (upsetting the balance in world Rugby). Keep at it, your game have improved so much, I'm looking forward to your next game.
Billy Gorman
Guest
A try at the final whistle made the scoreline look good for USA. Yeah the so called minnows are doing well and what was expected of them, still all the games so far have ended with no surprises...and that whilst none of the favourites have played particularly well.... Same old rugby world cup fare really, and as usual apart from the game between the top 2 seeds in each group, won't be worth looking at until the knock-out stage.... Australia most impressive so far......
Mark
Guest
USA's defence was awesome. Pity about their attack. USA another minnow!!!!!!! What's going on!!!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
If this were a pool of death, Ireland would be staring down the barrel of another pool exit.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
That was a fantastic effort by the 17th ranked team in the world! Ireland are going to be left searching for answers as they weren't really able to capitalise on a lot of possession and territory. It always felt like they couldn't get momentum for more than 3 or 4 phases in a row. They'll need to improve on that. USA will feel like that defence should keep them in a lot of games in this comp. Italy might find it hard to blow over USA.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
80min The kick is good! Great finish. The game finishes at IRELAND 22 defeating USA 10
Elisha Pearce
Expert
80min EMERICK! Interecpt try!!!!! D'Arcy threw a risky loose ball and it's returned 60m! IRE 22 - USA 8
Elisha Pearce
Expert
79min Ireland have resorted to a little chip over towards the goalines from about 10m out. Thats not a good sign. USA force it in goal and smash a drop kick from their 22 into the other. USA get it back when its cleared out and Ngwenya was forced into touch.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
78min USA are called for not rolling away as Ireland rumble forward in attack again. That puts Ireland inside the 22 again. Back on the pressure. IRE 22 - USA 3
Elisha Pearce
Expert
77min Somehow Clever gets the ball out of the scrum and USA get it outside the 22! O'Connell has been names MOTM. It had to be either him or Clever.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
76min The Irish go with a scrum and 17 of USA collapses it early. Ireland ask for another one. IRE 22 - USA 3.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I love watching these minnows!! Great stuff! Japan last night was incredible and Romania during the day was fiesty. Even just then. The USA were gone for all money in that maul. Still they stop it a metre short and basically steal the ball. It is a penalty for something earlier on but a great stand still!
Elisha Pearce
Expert
73min This scrum from Ireland was awesome to watch. They pushed about 15m downfield with the ball at the back. The ref blew it up for some unknown reason and gives a penalty to Ireland. They get deep into the USA 22 again. Here we go a maul again...
Kento
Guest
Who says get rid of the minnows; this cup has been fantastic with the quality of these early matches!
Elisha Pearce
Expert
71min USA gets another penalty. There was holding in the ruck by Ireland. Wonderful stuff. Emerick was working in there like a forward for a few rucks there and it's paid off. IRE 22 - USA 3
Elisha Pearce
Expert
70min Ireland maul but don't get it out in time and the ref awards a USA scrum. The USA scrum is smashed again and the ball pops out. Its awarded to Ireland for the reset because it spun 90 degrees. IRE 22 - USA 3
Elisha Pearce
Expert
67min Ireland blow up that scrum but USA hold possession and a box kick goes up. Not far though. Its been a brutal match and the USA will be tired now. They are holding on for pride. Ireland are trying for a bonus point. IRE 22 - USA 3
Elisha Pearce
Expert
66min USA win a scrapper of a lineout and clear the ball out to the 30. The ref missed a knock on and Ireland go wide. BOD was out on the wing but his ball back on the inside went to ground. IRE 22 - USA 3
Elisha Pearce
Expert
65min The Irish are really trying to use their big men here. Its brutal stuff in the middle right now. I admire the pluck of the USA too. OGara turns around the USA again too. Its a chip down to the USA 3. Huge defensive lineout.