Ireland will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign back in 2007 when they failed to progress from what was perceived as the group of death. Wins against minnows Georgia and Namibia were not as plain sailing as first hoped and defeats from the host nation France and a powerful Argentina in their final game saw them leave the tournament early. Four years on, Eddie O'Sullivan has departed with Declan Kidney brought in to restore order but Ireland find themselves on a miserable run of form. Four World Cup warm up games and four defeats doesn't look good reading for them but with their fighting spirit being second to none, anything can happen.
Opponents USA had nothing to lose in their last World Cup campaign back in 2007 when they were grouped with Samoa, Tonga, England and eventual winners South Africa. A very tough group for the Eagles, but they proved to the other nations that they aren't pushovers. Slender defeats to Tonga and Samoa coupled with a decent outing against England followed by a thrashing at the hands of South Africa, saw them leave the tournament with one losing point but their heads held high. Since then, former Irish coach and American native Eddie O'Sullivan has taken the reigns as they aim to leave this campaign with one win under their belts with that coming against newcomers Russia. Like Ireland, America too enter the competition without a win with defeats to Japan and twice to Canada.
The last time these two teams met in 2009, Ireland came away with a 27-10 in a team that was captained by Rory Best. He starts for the Irish in the front row alongside Ulster teammate Tom Court with the surprise addition of Conor Murray at scrum half piping Eoin Reddan. Murray secures his third cap for Ireland. At the back, Jonathan Sexton and Geordan Murphy both start while Keith Earls edges out Andrew Trimble at wing. Gordon D'Arcy has recovered from a calf injury to be partnered with captain Brian O'Driscoll.
Eagles prop Mike MacDonald is to become USA's most capped player with 63 caps when he takes to the field tomorrow. O'Sullivan opts for Roland Suniula at fly half while Saracens full back Chris Wyles is missing due to an ankle injury. Blaine Scully will replace him in the number 15 jersey. Only four forwards and three backs remain from there last outing.
Ireland: 15 Geordan Murphy, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 1 Tom Court, 2 Rory Best, 3 Mike Ross, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 5 Paul O'Connell, 6 Stephen Ferris, 7 Shane Jennings, 8 Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Tony Buckley, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Andrew Trimble.
USA: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 James Paterson, 10 Roland Suniula, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Nic Johnson, 7 Todd Clever (capt), 6 Louis Stanfill, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 John van der Giessen, 3 Shawn Pittman, 2 Phil Thiel, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Chris Biller, 17 Matekitonga Moeakiola, 18 Scott LaValla, 19 Pat Danahy, 20 Tim Usasz, 21 Nese Malifa, 22 Colin Hawley.
