Women's Rugby World Cup; Ireland 22 USA 12: Ireland are back on track in the Women's World Cup after an impressive bonus-point win over the highly rated USA.
Number eight Joy Neville scored a try five minutes into each half for Philip Doyle's side, while fullback Niamh Briggs, who converted one of the four tries, and Tania Rosser also crossed the line.
The result leaves Ireland level with their opponents and England on five points each in Group B, though the latter were yet to face Kazakhstan, having beaten Ireland in their opening game.
Neville’s brace came on the occasion of her 50th cap but the wind made the first conversion tricky and the USA went ahead after a strong scrum set up prop Jamie Burke for their first score and outhalf Christy Ringgenberg added the extras.
The Americans were strong off that particular setpiece but Ireland showed adventure in the loose and, after firing a warning with a superb 50 metre break, Briggs put Ireland back in the lead when she outpaced USA skipper Ashley English after a lineout and touched down for a 10-7 advantage at the break.
The lineout served Ireland well again in the second half and allowed Neville power over the line within minutes of the restart for a 15-7 lead.
Rosser then crossed to secure a bonus point when she reacted quickly to a penalty inside the USA 22 and dashed over the line. Briggs kicked her fist conversion for a 15-point lead before Vanesha McGee scored a consolation for the USA.
Ireland will face Kazakhstan on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 4.30pm) in their final pool game before next week's play-offs.
"The scrum was under pressure today, but the USA are a strong and heavy pack and we're not," said Doyle afterwards. "We know Kazakhstan are similar and so we'll have to have a look at that and work on our scrums and hope to improve.
"But we concentrated today on rucking low and keeping the ball tight and we did it well over the course of the match."
Acknowledging the contribution of former skipper Neville, he added: "Joy is one of the key players to be honest, and she was outstanding today, scoring two tries.
"With that very strong wind we had to play it the 'Munster' way and she does that brilliantly and that's fine by me.
"She has great experience and 50 hard earned caps and I hope her family are very proud of her."
IRELAND: Niamh Briggs; Amy Davis, Joanne O'Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Nora Stapleton; Helen Brosnan, Tania Rosser; Fiona Coghlan (capt), Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate O'Loughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville.
Replacements used:Mairead Kelly for Davis, Chris Fanning for Austin, Caroline Mahon for Reilly (all 64 mins), Shannon Houston for Brosnan (68), Sinead Ryan for Brennan (71), Louise Beamish for Rosser (74). Not used: Laura Guest.
USA: Ashley English (capt); Vanesha McGee, Lynelle Kugler, Mel Kanuk, Victoria Folayan; Christy Ringgenberg, Claudia Knudsen-Braymer; Farrah Douglas, Maurin Wallace, Jamie Burke, Stacey Bridges, Beckett Royce, Mel Denham, Kitt Wagner, Blair Groefsema.
Replacements used:Rachel Reddick for Denham (34 mins-half-time, temp sub), Sharon Blaney for Royce (46), Rachel Reddick for Burke (50), Nathalie Marchino for Folayan (54), Phaidra Knight for Denham (64). Not used: Lisa Butts, Kim Magrini, Amy Daniels.
Referee: Sebastien Minery (France)