Lineout misfired horribly in what has become a disconcerting trend in recent matches
After a well-worked ninth minute try for Jimmy O’Brien, following on from Healy’s sad departure the first half increasingly became an ordeal for Ireland.
All of this led to an aerial bombardment from the former Wasps, Lyon and All Blacks outhalf Lima Sopoaga, which O’Brien and Jacob Stockdale struggled to deal with under the rain, lights and a posse of chasers. Before kick-off, Keith Earls was withdrawn from the game as a precautionary measure with what the Irish head coach Andy Farrell described as a “minor niggle”.Jacob Stockdale was called up to start on the left wing but Earls’ injury is not expected to endanger his chances of being chosen to compete in his fourth World Cup when the final squad of 33 players is announced on Sunday at 4.30pm Irish time.
Sopoaga and Crowley each found touch within five metres of the opposition corner flag with superb penalties from inside halfway, but Seilala Lam overthrew and although Stewart located Baird, the Samoan defence was fierce.
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– IRL 7-10 SAM: Ireland’s scrum has been under serious pressure since Healy’s withdrawal and it cracks on the stroke of half-time. Penalty Samoa, and Sopoaga knocks over the three. Samoa lead at the break! This has been… bad by Ireland. And Cian Healy’s World Cup is also in serious doubt. [image id=40′ – IRL 7-10 SAM: Ireland’s scrum has been under serious pressure since Healy’s withdrawal and it cracks on the stroke of half-time. Penalty Samoa, and Sopoaga knocks over the three. Samoa lead at the break! This has been… bad by Ireland. And Cian Healy’s World Cup is also in serious doubt. [image id=
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