Staunton strikes in Irish rehearsal

Full back Jeremy Staunton scored a fine debut try as Ireland warmed up for next week's All Blacks match by securing a comfortable over Samoa at Lansdowne Road.

The Six Nations runnersup out-scored their opponents by four tries to one in a physical contest. After fly halves Ronan O'Gara and Earl Va'a traded early penalties, the Irish took firm control. From a close-range line-out, the Irish pack drove hooker Frank Sheahan over. O'Gara added the conversion and two more penalties to put Ireland 16-3 ahead at the interval. Within six minutes of the re-start Staunton had crossed for his try after good work by man-ofthe-match O'Gara and centre Kevin Maggs. Although Samoa hit back almost at once through wing Afato So'oalo, Ireland retaliated in style. After another O'Gara penalty two slick moves were rounded off out wide, first by Geordan Murphy, then just before time by Tyrone Howe. After the game O'Gara admitted: 'There were a lot of nerves - our performance was workmanlike more than anything.

'We will need to step up quite a bit if we are to trouble the All Blacks.'