Hello and welcome to our second rugby liveblog of the day, as we bring you all the action from Ireland’s final game of a long season, with Andy Farrell’s side taking on the US Eagles at the Aviva Stadium.
At least four players will make their debut for Ireland this evening, and that number could be as high as eight if the bench is emptied.
We’ll bring you all the action as it happens.
10 Jul 2021
7:02PM
Can Gavin Coombes fill the void left by Stander? Is Joey Carbery the one to inherit Sexton’s crown? Is Craig Casey the player to take over from Murray? Is Ryan Baird as good as we all think? Can Robert Baloucoune add depth to Ireland’s options in the back-three? Is Tom O’Toole as impressive in the scrum as he is around the park?
Garry Doyle is at the Aviva Stadium this evening, and you can read his match preview here.
A solid start from the USA. They put good pressure on an Ireland lineout, which sees the ball slip through James Ryan’s hands, and win a penalty and go for the corner, but Ireland then steal the USA lineout through Caelan Doris and Craig Casey kicks to relieve the pressure.
Really nice play from Ireland, with Joey Carbery slicing between two defenders and playing in Andrew Conway, but Conway is caught in two minds and gets brought to ground, with the attack breaking down after a strong Dave Kilcoyne carry. We go back for a penalty and Carbery splits the posts.
10 Jul 2021
7:30PM
14mins
Good pressure from the USA as the they pound at the line but Ireland show great defensive effort to win the penalty, with Caelan Doris getting the plaudits. The USA will be disappointed to come away empty-handed but they’ve started with intent here.
James Ryan has just seen another lineout throw slip through his fingers.
An absolutely stunning score from Robert Baloucoune. Ireland survive a period of sustained USA pressure and go up the field. Carbery plays in Baloucoune and the Ulster wing bursts forward at pace, moving from a central position out to the corner and leaving a string of defenders in his dust. Absolutely superb stuff on his debut.
Ronan Kelleher finds James Ryan at the lineout, joins the maul, takes possession and Ireland charge forward. It looked like the Leinster hooker was going to break off but he held back, and Ireland continued to gain momentum and their patience pays off as Kelleher powers over. Bread and butter stuff for Kelleher, and Carbery slots the conversion with ease.
Another debut try from another lineout maul, this time Nick Timoney getting over the line, with Carbery again adding the extras.
Ireland are going really well now with Gavin Coombes providing some nice moments, including a lovely delayed pass out to Andrew Conway. After some early lineout issues, there’s lots to like here for Andy Farrell.
A second try for Ronan Kelleher. Some nice work from Coombes and Conway sees Hugo Keenan break free, and the fullback does well to delay the pass and leave Kelleher with a simple finish. Carbery adds the extras.
Ireland looking so confident on the ball now.
10 Jul 2021
7:50PM
A memorable moment for Robert Baloucoune. Hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot more of this from the Ulster flyer in the coming years.
Ireland are playing some thrilling rugby and throwing a lot of offloads. Tom O’Toole, Craig Casey, Andrew Conway and James Ryan are all involved as Ireland throw a succession of great passes, but a glorious try is denied as Caelan Doris is grounded by the combination of Riekert Hattingh and Mike Te’o. Superb stuff from the hosts.
Half-time at the Aviva and Ireland are leading 31-3. The half ended with more good attacking play from Ireland, with Gavin Coombes’ quick hands again at the heart of the move. He’s produced some really nice moments in that first 40 minutes, with Hugo Keenan and Andrew Conway also looking sharp.
Ireland have been given a licence to play this evening, hopefully we’ll see more of that in the second half.
10 Jul 2021
8:18PM
The second-half is underway at the Aviva Stadium. One change at the break, Will Addison coming in for Andrew Conway.
10 Jul 2021
8:20PM
41mins
Ireland almost have a try within 30 seconds of the restart. Doris stretches to block Ruben de Haas’ kick from the base of the ruck, and looks to be in for a certain try only for the USA scrum-half to get back and make the tackle as Doris spills the ball at the line.
Ronan Kelleher has his hat-trick, powering over from close range again. He’s been lethal from those positions today. Carbery, who has been superb from the tee, nails the conversion again. Ireland’s lineout work has really improved after that shaky start to the game.
Kelleher gets his fourth try, Ireland’s maul once again far too strong for the USA, and it’s his last action of the day. Harry Byrne, who had only just come on, slots his first points in international rugby.
Stuart McCloskey finishes another really nice Ireland attack, which included some great hands from the big centre at the start of the move. Harry Byrne’s conversion from the sideline smacks the post.
Fineen Wycherley has come in for his Ireland debut.
10 Jul 2021
8:44PM
60mins
Another debut, Caolin Blade in for Craig Casey. A great moment for the Connacht scrum-half as we hit eight new caps for the day.
A lovely try. Gavin Coombes wins the turnover, McCloskey chips over the top and Keenan has the gas to sprint home for a deserved try. Superb stuff again from Ireland. Harry Byrne knocks over the conversion.
10 Jul 2021
8:51PM
Here’s Kelleher’s fourth try, the powerful Leinster hooker making it all look very easy.
Coombes looked to have forced his way over under the posts but after a TMO check the try isn’t given. From the next passage of play, Ireland show nice hands again and the big Munster man gets over in the corner. Byrne slots the extras.
10 Jul 2021
9:03PM
76mins
Harry Byrne has looked very confident on debut since coming on, producing some nice passes. Blade doing well to keep the tempo up too.
The USA are currently on a rare venture into the Ireland 22 but gaining little ground as we enter the final few minutes of play.
Forget what I was saying about the USA going nowhere…
Replacement scrum-half Baska dots down from close range and Magie converts. Into the last minute of play here now. Ronan Kelleher has just been announced as the man of the match, to no real surprise. Four tries on a very good day’s work for the hooker.
After another well-worked passage of play, Finlay Bealham has the strength to force his way over, and after a short TMO check the try is given. Will Addison slots the conversion to complete the scoring.
A very encouraging display from Ireland, who sign off for the season on a winning note. A number of young players really excelled against an admittedly limited USA side, who looked really stretched when they went down to 14 men, but the attacking nature of Ireland’s performance was great to see.
We’ll have a full report and all the reaction from the Aviva Stadium on The42 shortly. Thanks for joining our live coverage this evening, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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As it happened: Ireland v US Eagles, Summer Series
LAST UPDATE | 10 Jul 2021
Hello and welcome to our second rugby liveblog of the day, as we bring you all the action from Ireland’s final game of a long season, with Andy Farrell’s side taking on the US Eagles at the Aviva Stadium.
At least four players will make their debut for Ireland this evening, and that number could be as high as eight if the bench is emptied.
We’ll bring you all the action as it happens.
Can Gavin Coombes fill the void left by Stander? Is Joey Carbery the one to inherit Sexton’s crown? Is Craig Casey the player to take over from Murray? Is Ryan Baird as good as we all think? Can Robert Baloucoune add depth to Ireland’s options in the back-three? Is Tom O’Toole as impressive in the scrum as he is around the park?
Garry Doyle is at the Aviva Stadium this evening, and you can read his match preview here.
A lot of excitement about this man. Ulster winger Robert Baloucoune makes his Ireland debut today.
The teams are out on the pitch, anthems incoming. Great to see 6,000 fans in the Aviva.
A quick reminder of how Ireland line up today.
We are up and running at the Aviva Stadium.
3mins
A solid start from the USA. They put good pressure on an Ireland lineout, which sees the ball slip through James Ryan’s hands, and win a penalty and go for the corner, but Ireland then steal the USA lineout through Caelan Doris and Craig Casey kicks to relieve the pressure.
PENALTY – Carbery
8mins
Ireland 3 USA 0
Really nice play from Ireland, with Joey Carbery slicing between two defenders and playing in Andrew Conway, but Conway is caught in two minds and gets brought to ground, with the attack breaking down after a strong Dave Kilcoyne carry. We go back for a penalty and Carbery splits the posts.
14mins
Good pressure from the USA as the they pound at the line but Ireland show great defensive effort to win the penalty, with Caelan Doris getting the plaudits. The USA will be disappointed to come away empty-handed but they’ve started with intent here.
James Ryan has just seen another lineout throw slip through his fingers.
TRY – Ireland 8 USA 0 (Baloucoune)
18mins
Ireland 10 USA 0
An absolutely stunning score from Robert Baloucoune. Ireland survive a period of sustained USA pressure and go up the field. Carbery plays in Baloucoune and the Ulster wing bursts forward at pace, moving from a central position out to the corner and leaving a string of defenders in his dust. Absolutely superb stuff on his debut.
PENALTY – Ireland 10 USA 3 (Carty)
TRY – Ireland 15 USA 3 (Kelleher)
24mins
Ireland 17 USA 3
Ronan Kelleher finds James Ryan at the lineout, joins the maul, takes possession and Ireland charge forward. It looked like the Leinster hooker was going to break off but he held back, and Ireland continued to gain momentum and their patience pays off as Kelleher powers over. Bread and butter stuff for Kelleher, and Carbery slots the conversion with ease.
TRY – Ireland 22 USA Eagles 3 (Timoney)
28mins
Ireland 24 USA 3
Another debut try from another lineout maul, this time Nick Timoney getting over the line, with Carbery again adding the extras.
Ireland are going really well now with Gavin Coombes providing some nice moments, including a lovely delayed pass out to Andrew Conway. After some early lineout issues, there’s lots to like here for Andy Farrell.
TRY – Ireland 29 USA 3 (Kelleher)
31mins
Ireland 31 USA 3
A second try for Ronan Kelleher. Some nice work from Coombes and Conway sees Hugo Keenan break free, and the fullback does well to delay the pass and leave Kelleher with a simple finish. Carbery adds the extras.
Ireland looking so confident on the ball now.
A memorable moment for Robert Baloucoune. Hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot more of this from the Ulster flyer in the coming years.
36mins
Ireland are playing some thrilling rugby and throwing a lot of offloads. Tom O’Toole, Craig Casey, Andrew Conway and James Ryan are all involved as Ireland throw a succession of great passes, but a glorious try is denied as Caelan Doris is grounded by the combination of Riekert Hattingh and Mike Te’o. Superb stuff from the hosts.
HALF-TIME
Half-time at the Aviva and Ireland are leading 31-3. The half ended with more good attacking play from Ireland, with Gavin Coombes’ quick hands again at the heart of the move. He’s produced some really nice moments in that first 40 minutes, with Hugo Keenan and Andrew Conway also looking sharp.
Ireland have been given a licence to play this evening, hopefully we’ll see more of that in the second half.
The second-half is underway at the Aviva Stadium. One change at the break, Will Addison coming in for Andrew Conway.
41mins
Ireland almost have a try within 30 seconds of the restart. Doris stretches to block Ruben de Haas’ kick from the base of the ruck, and looks to be in for a certain try only for the USA scrum-half to get back and make the tackle as Doris spills the ball at the line.
TRY – Ireland 36 USA 3 (Kelleher)
45mins
Ireland 38 USA 3
Ronan Kelleher has his hat-trick, powering over from close range again. He’s been lethal from those positions today. Carbery, who has been superb from the tee, nails the conversion again. Ireland’s lineout work has really improved after that shaky start to the game.
RED CARD – Riekert Hattingh
Ireland 38 USA 3
The USA down to 14 men, Riekert Hattingh seeing red for a high shot on Ronan Kelleher.
Meanwhile, Harry Byrne and Paul Boyle have both come in for their Ireland debuts, they have the best part of 30 minutes to impress.
TRY – Ireland 43 USA 3 (Kelleher)
54mins
Ireland 45 USA 3
Kelleher gets his fourth try, Ireland’s maul once again far too strong for the USA, and it’s his last action of the day. Harry Byrne, who had only just come on, slots his first points in international rugby.
TRY – Ireland 50 USA 3 (McCloskey)
57mins
Ireland 50 USA 3
Stuart McCloskey finishes another really nice Ireland attack, which included some great hands from the big centre at the start of the move. Harry Byrne’s conversion from the sideline smacks the post.
Fineen Wycherley has come in for his Ireland debut.
60mins
Another debut, Caolin Blade in for Craig Casey. A great moment for the Connacht scrum-half as we hit eight new caps for the day.
TRY – Ireland 55 USA 3 (Keenan)
63mins
Ireland 57 USA 3
A lovely try. Gavin Coombes wins the turnover, McCloskey chips over the top and Keenan has the gas to sprint home for a deserved try. Superb stuff again from Ireland. Harry Byrne knocks over the conversion.
Here’s Kelleher’s fourth try, the powerful Leinster hooker making it all look very easy.
70mins
Gavin Coombes might have a try here, we’re currently checking with the TMO. Looked good on first viewing.
TRY – Ireland 62 USA 3 (Coombes)
73mins
Ireland 64 USA 3
Coombes looked to have forced his way over under the posts but after a TMO check the try isn’t given. From the next passage of play, Ireland show nice hands again and the big Munster man gets over in the corner. Byrne slots the extras.
76mins
Harry Byrne has looked very confident on debut since coming on, producing some nice passes. Blade doing well to keep the tempo up too.
The USA are currently on a rare venture into the Ireland 22 but gaining little ground as we enter the final few minutes of play.
TRY – Ireland 64 USA 8 (Baska)
79mins
Ireland 64 USA 10
Forget what I was saying about the USA going nowhere…
Replacement scrum-half Baska dots down from close range and Magie converts. Into the last minute of play here now. Ronan Kelleher has just been announced as the man of the match, to no real surprise. Four tries on a very good day’s work for the hooker.
TRY – Ireland 69 USA 10 (Bealham)
80mins
Ireland 71 USA 10
After another well-worked passage of play, Finlay Bealham has the strength to force his way over, and after a short TMO check the try is given. Will Addison slots the conversion to complete the scoring.
FULL-TIME
A very encouraging display from Ireland, who sign off for the season on a winning note. A number of young players really excelled against an admittedly limited USA side, who looked really stretched when they went down to 14 men, but the attacking nature of Ireland’s performance was great to see.
We’ll have a full report and all the reaction from the Aviva Stadium on The42 shortly. Thanks for joining our live coverage this evening, and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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Ireland Liveblog Minute-by-Minute USA Rugby