Ireland kicked off their summer tour in the 31 degree sunshine of New Jersey on Saturday, and Joe Schmidt likely couldn't have dreamt a more perfect start as Keith Earls touched down within three minutes.
The game was action-packed throughout, and the Irish fans that dedicated their Saturday night to watching some exciting Irish prospects were rewarded as a number of impressive performances were put in.
Keith Earls was unplayable, and the whole pack were on form, although Joey Carbery's kicking both at goal and out of hand was very poor.
Ireland ran out 00-00 winners, and there were some highlight reel moments along the way.
The first try was a soft one as Earls was able to jog in for the score after a break from Tiernan O'Halloran.
1. Keith Earls
3: TRY!@USARugby 0-5 @IrishRugby!
Keith Earls goes for Ireland early doors! Conversion missed by Joey Carbery. #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/m5il1viNR9— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
Then just over 10 minutes later, the extremely exciting Jacob Stockdale got a try on his Ireland debut thanks to a ridiculous break from Earls who was proving way too much to handle for America.
2. Jacob Stockdale
14: TRY!@USARugby 0-10 @IrishRugby!
Debut Try for @UlsterRugby's Jacob Stockdale! Converted by Garry Ringrose! #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/TAUpRuGKtG— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
Earls was out of control and scored his second of the game minutes later...
3. Keith Earls
19: TRY! @USARugby 0-17 @IrishRugby!
Keith Earls get his second try of the game! Carbery's kick goes wide. #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/3Q0Zbu117H— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
The USA were then able to answer back as a Joey Carbery kick was blocked down to make the score 7-17.
But soon normal service was resumed and Niall Scannell scored Ireland's third try off a lineout.
4. Niall Scannell
31: TRY! @USARugby 7-22 @IrishRugby.
Niall Scannell gets Ireland's 3rd try off a line-out! Joey Carbery misses his third kick. #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/PQ261AVj45— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
Earls was again involved for the next try, like a 6th year playing against 3rd years. Kieran Marmion this time with the score.
5. Kieran Marmion
34: TRY!@USARugby 7-29 @IrishRugby.@connachtrugby's Kieran Marmion goes over! Carbery off the mark too! #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/rj3Fqfufup
— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
That was all the scoring done for the first-half. Not bad.
The first score of the second half? A lineout again. This time Jack Conan did the honours.
6. Jack Conan
43: TRY! @USARugby 7-36 @IrishRugby.
Jack Conan goes over from the scrum! Carbery adds the kick! #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/BOD0ipXzu0— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
The USA then scored another try... From another Joey Carbery kick being blocked down, which did not look good for the Leinster man especially considering his missed place-kicks as well.
Ireland dipped for a while but there was more to come, and incredibly it was James Ryan with his first touch in international rugby, two minutes into his debut.
7. James Ryan
62: TRY!@USARugby 19-41 @IrishRugby.
What a moment for @leinsterrugby youngster James Ryan! Try with his 1st touch in International Rugby! pic.twitter.com/8bfi2f9jqm— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
Remember the name.
Luke McGrath came on for Marmion and wasted no time in getting in on the act with this fine score.
8. Luke McGrath
68: TRY!@USARugby 19-46 @IrishRugby!
Luke McGrath goes over for @leinsterrugby's Luke McGrath! #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/PECJXm7TnR— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
And Ireland weren't done just yet, as the 50 point mark was passed when Simon Zebo hopped on the aftermath of a cracking Rory Scannell kick.
9. Simon Zebo
75: TRY! @USARugby 19-55 @IrishRugby.
ZEBO!!! What a pair of kicks from @Munsterrugby's Rory Scannell here! #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/WgQmiQJETm— eirSport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017
Nine tries in total, but Joe Schmidt will still have a few issues with the ones the USA scored. Still, that was a good start to the summer.
