Ireland 40 Samoa 9: match report After leading only 14-6 at half-time, Ireland grew in confidence and scored four tries through Sean O'Brien, Fergus McFadden and Dave Kearney, who got two on his debut, to go alongside Peter O'Mahony's first half-effort. It was also a notable evening for Brian O'Driscoll, who illuminated the game with a marvellous flick between his legs for O'Brien's score and Paddy Jackson who kicked 15 points, as well as new cap Jack McGrath. Australia, though, will be more formidable opposition on Saturday. Samoa hit back with Tusiata Pisi's second penalty, which narrowed the home side's lead to 11-6. After that the only notable incident in what was a thoroughly scrappy first half came when George Pisi was shown a yellow card after a tip tackle on wing Tommy Bowe right at the end of first half and Jackson kicked the penalty. Five minutes after the restart, O'Driscoll's magic moment allowed McFadden to make inroads and after Ireland secured quick ball O'Brien barged over. Jackson converted and Ireland finally had some space between the sides. The game was then held up for over five minutes for winger Brando Vaaulu to be taken off on a stretcher after a clash of heads with Tusiata Pisi, which also saw the fly-half leave the field. Ireland also changed things substantially on the hour mark with a raft of replacements, which did nothing improve their fitful performance and three minutes after the hour Kahn Fotuali'i landed a penalty. But Ireland responded and Dave Kearney marked his first cap with a 65th-minute try after Ireland moved the ball right off a scrum with his brother Rob supplying the scoring pass. Jackson got the extras and the Irish were now out of sight at 28-9. It was little surprise when McFadden scored in the 70th minute off a scrum move with Jackson again converting, though he failed to do the same for Dave Kearney's second effort in the 78th minute.