The Irish started this game at a ferocious pace and pushed the Americans back with their first attack. They made their intentions clear when the first penalty was awarded and scrum-half Tom Tierney took it quickly to run at the American defence well within goal kicking range. Within Ireland opened the scoring when Justin Bishop came in from the right wing and broke the defence to score under the posts. Humphreys made sure of the conversion
and it all looked too easy.
The Americans weren't reading that script though and a blunder from Conor O'Shea left American scrum-half Kevin Dalzell in at the other end. The conversion was missed but it was a great disappointment as the Irish lost their initial advantage. It wasn't to last for long as the Irish pack dominated their opponents in scrum and line out and when they pushed forward from a lineout inside the American 22 they weren't to be stopped. Keith Wood popped up with the ball for what was to be the first of a four try haul for the hooker. Ireland didn't look back from that point and America only managed to convert one penalty in the remainder of the game.
After that it was only a matter of how many points the Irish could put up and it turned out to be 53 - the highest score Ireland has managed against the States. Great performances from Wood, Paddy Johns and captain Dion O'Cuinneagain set the platform for the display that surely must keep Warren Gatland, Donal Lenihan and Phillip Danaher happy, at least until next weekend's showdown with Australia. As well as the above mentioned the subtlety of Brian O'Driscoll's play had a big bearing and the selectors will be glad that the youngster has his first major test under his belt.
Americans will be extremely disappointed as surely they expected to compete at a higher level. Their pack was totally out played and thus their half-backs were continuously under pressure in possession. That combined with their failure to pull off any pre-concieved back-line moves left them with a dearth of attacking options and they played most of the game inside their own half, if not their own 22.
