Ireland player ratings v USA | WXV Global Series 2026

Tallaght Stadium was stunned into relative silence as the USA Women’s Eagles secured a 40-36 win over Ireland in Dublin to start their WXV Global Series campaign.

Jack Hanratty’s side led by 12 points at half-time, with tries from Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, Aoife Wafer and Eve Higgins putting the hosts in control.

But the USA hit back after the break, with Kathryn Treder scoring twice before Hallie Taufoou and Freda Tafuna also crossed to complete a stunning comeback.

Before they host Japan next week at Dexcom Stadium, here is how Ireland’s players rated…

15. Stacey Flood – 5.5

Provided the assist for Vicky Elmes Kinlan’s try in the sixth minute. The full-back contributed plenty to her team in attack, but did turn the ball over on a couple of occasions and gave the USA good field position from which to mount attacks.

14. Robyn O’Connor – 4.5

A reasonably quiet afternoon for Robyn O’Connor, who never really managed to make a mark on the fixture. She did make nine carries for 44 metres, but those opportunities were largely spurned.

13. Aoife Dalton – 5.5

Was only on the pitch for 19 minutes before being replaced by Anna McGann in the first half. She did return to the pitch after passing her HIA. It was not an afternoon in which Dalton was able to thrive, as the game got away from Ireland.

12. Eve Higgins – 5

Was influential with virtually every touch she had in the first half. Helped Ireland gain good field position with each of her five carries, which helped the 27-year-old to 64 metres. Finished off Anna McGann’s break to score her team’s fourth try of the game. Like the rest of her team, Higgins lost the ability to influence the game as the Eagles had the lion’s share of possession and territory.

11. Vicky Elmes Kinlan – 4.5

Vicky Elmes Kinlan saw plenty of the ball in Dublin. The wing scored her team’s first try, made 11 carries for a game-high 74 metres, beat three defenders and consistently kept her team on the front foot. As Ireland were under pressure in the first half, Elmes Kinlan did not roll away at a ruck and was sent to the sin bin. During her time off the pitch, the Eagles scored three tries and led the game upon her reintroduction.

10. Dannah O’Brien – 5

A quiet afternoon for Ireland’s fly-half, who was largely ineffectual during her time on the pitch. Even when Ireland were in their pomp, the 22-year-old did not put her stamp on the fixture and also saw her involvement shrink as Ireland haemorrhaged points.

9. Emily Lane – 5

Did keep Ireland moving forward when the game was going the hosts’ way. Became increasingly isolated as momentum swung to the Eagles and was replaced on the 50-minute mark.

1. Niamh O’Dowd – 4.5

Stepping into the breach left by Ellena Perry’s retirement was always going to be tough. Ireland’s scrum was not at its best, and Niamh O’Dowd also conceded two penalties.

2. Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald – 4.5

Will not be happy with the way that Ireland’s lineout went. Something that did not get better when Neve Jones was introduced to the fray at the 50-minute mark. Did score her team’s second try of the game and was involved in Ireland’s first.

3. Linda Djougang – 5

Pretty much the standard Linda Djougang performance. She was on the pitch until the bitter end and played at both loosehead and tighthead. Was among her team’s top tacklers, but could not make her carries count. The Ireland scrum was not 100 per cent solid either.

4. Dorothy Wall – 6

A leading light for her team in the first half, with a number of strong carries and uncompromising tackles. As the game progressed, Dorothy Wall’s influence on the game wavered. As her team’s senior lock, Wall was unable to prevent Ireland from struggling against the USA’s driving maul and gave away a key penalty in the lead-up to Hallie Taufoou’s 68th-minute try. Scored a try in the dying embers to give Ireland a consolation score.

5. Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan – 5

Much like her lock partner, Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan did not assert herself for Ireland. The lineout operated at 78 per cent, so far below the standard you could usually expect. She also turned the ball over twice.

6. Jemima Adams Verling – 6

It was a very good start to Jemima Adams Verling’s international rugby career. No one in the Ireland squad made as many tackles as the 20-year-old. She also made six carries for 18 metres. A strong, comfortable start to life playing Test rugby.

7. Erin King – 5.5

It was an unusual performance from Erin King. Ireland’s captain had to lead by example when the Eagles took control of the fixture and ultimately ended the game as its top tackler. Scored her team’s second-half try but could not assert herself on the game.

8. Aoife Wafer – 6.5

Aoife Wafer was probably Ireland’s best player on the pitch, even in defeat. The back-row scored her team’s third try in the 18th minute to elicit a roar from the Tallaght Stadium crowd. Was busy at the breakdown, where she won three turnovers, completed 10 tackles and even carried for 42 metres from a team-high 14 carries.

Replacements – 4

Hard to say what the replacements offered. Anna McGann provided a brilliant try assist when on for a spell in the first half, but when Ireland’s replacements were introduced in the second half, they offered very little as the Eagles imposed themselves on the game more and more.