Ireland beats emotional United States team

Ireland laboured to a error-strewn 22-10 victory over an emotional and fiercely committed United States in their rugby World Cup opener at a cold and wet Stadium Taranaki today.

Both teams wore black armbands and observed a period of silence as cheers of "USA, USA" rang out before the game on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington in which nearly 3,000 people died.

Despite enjoying total dominance up front throughout the Pool C clash, handling errors, slips on the wet field, misplaced passes and poor execution meant Ireland missed out on a four-try bonus point.

Winger Tommy Bowe scored two tries with hooker Rory Best adding another but Irish flyhalf Jonathan Sexton managed just two from six kicks at goal.