Conway shines as much-changed Ireland battle past USA

Andrew Conway claimed a hat-trick as a much-changed Ireland team eased to a 57-14 victory over the United States in Dublin on Saturday.

Following his side’s magnificent triumph over world champions New Zealand last weekend, head coach Joe Schmidt made 14 alterations for Ireland’s final Test of 2018, with Garry Ringrose the only player retained.

The Six Nations champions were put under pressure early on by the USA, whose own form coming into this match had also been impressive, albeit against more limited opposition

Yet the gulf in class between the two teams soon became apparent as the game wore on, with Ireland racking up 43 unanswered points after they were pegged back to 14-14 in the first half.

Full Time score – IRELAND 57-14 USA #TeamOfUs #ShoulderToShoulder #IREvUSA pic.twitter.com/yjWRpbkNpx

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) November 24, 2018

Conway claimed each of his side’s first two tries, only for those scores to be cancelled out by Joe Taufete’e and a United States penalty try, the latter score coming as Iain Henderson was sin-binned for bringing down a maul illegally.

A penalty from Joey Carbery, who converted seven of Ireland’s eight touchdowns, edged the hosts back in front and Jack Conan extended that lead before half-time.

The USA were then outclassed in the second period, with Conway completing his hat-trick and Tadhg Beirne, Stuart McCloskey, Quinn Roux and John Ryan also going over.