Ireland were pushed to their limits and suffered an injury blow as the world number one limped over the line against a fired-up Samoa in a World Cup warm-up in Bayonne on Saturday.
The Irish edged Samoa 17-13 in rainy conditions but suffered a major setback ahead of the global showpiece when veteran prop Cian Healy limped off with what appeared to be a calf injury.
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Healy, playing in his 125th international, was hurt in the first half and was in serious pain as he was helped to the touchline.
With coach Andy Farrell set to reveal his squad for the World Cup on Sunday, the 35-year-old Healy faces a worrying race for fitness.
Samoa lead at the break😎
Samoa intercept to score towards the end of the first half before a penalty nudges them ahead!
Catch the second half on Prime Video: https://t.co/3tOxvNtLh0 pic.twitter.com/kIb6hiBBwF
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) August 26, 2023
Ireland showed 12 changes from the side that thrashed England 29-10 last weekend.
They were ahead after just nine minutes on Saturday when fullback Jimmy O’Brien scored a try, set up by a smart crossfield kick from flyhalf Jack Crowley and support work from winger Mack Hansen.
Crowley, who added the conversion for 7-0, was playing in place of suspended first-choice flyhalf and captain Johnny Sexton.
Healy’s evening ended after 20 minutes and Samoa began to get a foothold in the game.
Fullback Duncan Paia’aua scored Samoa’s only try in the 36th minute, racing away after an attempted pass from Irish centre Stuart McCloskey had hit him in the face.
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Former New Zealand flyhalf Lima Sopoaga succeeded with the conversion for 7-7.
Sopoaga made his last All Blacks appearance in 2017 but benefits from a World Rugby rule change to play for the Pacific Islanders through family links.
Sopoaga then kicked a penalty in the closing moments of the first half for a 10-7 interval lead for the Pacific islanders.
The Siva Tau is pure intensity 🫣
Samoa are up for it!
Watch them take on Ireland on Prime Video: https://t.co/3tOxvNtLh0 pic.twitter.com/hEpOPaHgFQ
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) August 26, 2023
The 32-year-old was successful with another penalty five minutes into the second period as Samoa edged to a 13-7 lead.
Ireland cut the deficit to 13-12 moments later when scrumhalf Conor Murray scored off a clever chip ahead from Jacob Stockdale but Crowley missed the conversion.
Irish forward power allowed them to take charge as replacement hooker Rob Herring crashed over off a maul with just over an hour played.
Crowley again went wide with his kick but a 13th successive win for the Irish was secured.
Ireland begin their World Cup campaign against Romania on September 9 with Samoa facing Chile in their opener on September 16.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP