Italy 27 USA 10

UNITED STATES captain Todd Clever admitted he was a nervous man after his side held off a late Russian rally to win their Pool C encounter 13-6 in New Plymouth.

United States prop Mike MacDonald will become the Eagles’ most capped player with 63 Test appearances in Sunday’s World Cup opener against Ireland.

USA head coach Eddie O’Sullivan last night said he believed he had picked his strongest available squad for the World Cup.

HE’S Portumna born and bred, has the Cannings and Damien Hayes as neighbours, and was good enough to win an All-Ireland minor hurling medal with Galway in 2000.