USA must park their emotion, says Eddie

IRELAND will join their American opponents on Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks before both sides aim to get their Rugby World Cup campaigns off to a winning start at Stadium Taranaki.

Ireland team manager Paul McNaughton confirmed the Irish players would be wearing black armbands in their Pool C opener in solidarity with the Eagles on what promises to be an emotional day for Americans.

Eddie O’Sullivan’s US team will also attend a 9/11 Memorial Service at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in New Plymouth on Sunday morning which, because of New Zealand’s position close to the international date line, will possibly be the first commemoration of the anniversary anywhere in the world.