RWC Pool C: Ireland vs USA Eagles, Sun 11 Sep 7am; Pre/During/Post Match Thread.

IRELAND SQUAD:

Forwards:
Rory Best, Tony Buckley, Tom Court, Sean Cronin, Leo Cullen, Stephen Ferris, Jerry Flannery, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings, Denis Leamy, Sean O’Brien, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan,

Backs:
Tommy Bowe, Isaac Boss, Gordon D’Arcy, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Geordan Murphy, Conor Murray, Brian O’Driscoll (c), Ronan O’Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace.

USA EAGLES SQUAD:

Forwards:
Inaki Basauri, Chris Biller, Todd Clever, Pat Danahy, Eric Fry, JJ Gagiano, Nic Johnson, Scott LaValla, Mike MacDonald, Brian McClenahan, Mate Moeakiola, Shawn Pittman, Hayden Smith, Louis Stanfill, Phil Thiel, John van der Giessen.

Backs:
Paul Emerick, Tai Enosa, Colin Hawley, Nese Malifa, Taku Ngwenya, James Paterson, Mike Petri, Blaine Scully, Junior Sifa, Andrew Suniula, Roland Suniula, Kevin Swiryn, Tim Usasz, Chris Wyles.

Finally the showpiece event of rugby begins. After 2 years of huffing and puffing from game to game, the Irish team's mettle will be truly tested. Like 4 years ago, there will no place to hide from the media and supporter spotlight if the team underperform. After the Grand Slam success of 2009, Ireland were expected to push on to better things. Since the glory day of Cardiff, it simply hasn't happened for the men in green The side has become lethargic and lackadasical, the backs have taken to passing the ball from side to side to no avail with no inventiveness that can be associated with New Zealand, Australia and France (on occasion). Midfield defences could afford to be at ease as a simple drift defence was all that was required to stop an Irish attack in its tracks.

The main difference between the Ireland of today and the Ireland of 2009 is the conversion of chances into tries. During the Grand Slam run Ireland did not create many scoring opportunities but most were taken with impressive poise. Think back to Wales vs Ireland, where the visitors had 3 try scoring opportunities. Fitzgerald was a marginal forward pass away from scoring in the first half while O'Driscoll and Bowe converted the other 2 chances, the rest is history. Unlike the 3 teams mentioned above Ireland are not a naturally creative team. It is therefore necessary that Ireland rediscover their ability to be clinical in the red zone, when the odd opportunity arrives.

This game will be a special occasion for the United States team (nicknamed "The Eagles"). It goes without saying that the first game of a major competition of this magnitude will be a wonderful moment for the players but the day of this fixture also marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. This was an event that had a profound effect on the American psyche, if not the world psyche. This kind of incalculable motivation has the potential to push many players past their normal level of ability (remember Munster vs All Blacks). Eddie O'Sullivan has stated that the fixture against Russia on Thursday 15 September is the priority but he wants to put out a strong team against Ireland to have a decent start to the competition.

USA's Strength - Back Three

The Eagles will likely rely on their back three combinations for scores. Paterson, Wyles and Swiryn are all professionals playing at top level clubs while Takudzwa Ngwenya needs no introduction. One of the fastest wingers in world rugby, it's doubtful any of the Irish wings fancy being up against him in a one on one situation! The other three are proven try scorers in Super Rugby, Aviva Premiership and Top 14. Whether the Eagles possess the quality at halfback and at centre to deliver the ball to these dangerous runners will be a concern. In Todd Clever, the Eagles have a backrower with enormous potential. You could say he plays the Sergio Parisse role for the Eagles, the other players look to him to spark something special.

Irish Concerns

It is imperative that Ireland get back on the horse for this game. They cannot expect an easy first 20 minutes against Australia to get their bearings. A disquieting point surrounds the number of Irish players with injury/fitness issues. Cian Healy looked battered during the warm up games and now has an eye injury. With David Wallace out, it's vital that the backrow trio of Ferris, O'Brien (it's essential he plays if available) and Heaslip is fit and firing. With skepticism surrounding Paddy Wallace's abilities and Keith Earls' form, Gordon D'Arcy along with Brian O'Driscoll need to prove their match sharpness.

Many times during the warmups Paul O'Connell and Sean O'Brien stood alone in the pack when it came to standing up to the opposition. A tactic of "Give the ball to Seanie" won't cut the mustard against top teams. The forwards need to start working harder and find some controlled rage to unleash onto the opposition. The kind of endeavour we saw when the Irish pack devoured their English counterparts 4 years ago at Croke Park. As mentioned before the backplay in recent times has been one dimensional and uncreative. A lot rests on the shoulders of Jonny Sexton and Ronan O'Gara to create opportunities for the outside backs to flourish.

It's important that a near full strength Irish team is selected for this. Many of the star players can come off the bench if need be but Ireland needs to find form before facing the mighty Australia. Ireland will never match Australia's blissful style of play but on form they can certainly create a difficult environment where Australia will struggle to play their natural game. The Eagles should be fired up but Ireland's quality should (Jinxs must be avoided here, remember Namibia & Georgia!) shine through to earn a comfortable victory. How Eddie O'Sullivan would love to get one over his former employers but it is an unlikely scenario. I predict Ireland by at least 25 points.

The hour of reckoning is nearly here, I can't wait. Let the World Cup campaign begin!

I'd like to see (assuming everyone is available):
Healy, Flannery, Ross, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Ferris, O'Brien, Heaslip;
Reddan, Sexton, Trimble, D'Arcy, O'Driscoll, Bowe, Kearney

Bench: Best, Court, Cullen, Jennings, Murray, O'Gara, Murphy/Earls

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Player pics taken from PR/Sky Sports/INPHO. Logos from various sources. Squads taken from speartackle.co.za

Everything else is my work.