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Ireland 20 - 10 Samoa: Brian O'Driscoll glad of win after Samoa run Ireland close

Brian O'Driscoll is pleased Ireland will enter Saturday's clash with New Zealand with a much-needed victory in the bank.This triumph over Samoa on Saturday ended the team's six-match losing streak that dated back to the RBS Six Nations.

By The Newsroom
Published 14th Nov 2010, 17:24 BST
Updated 15th Nov 2010, 00:02 BST

However, the performance against opposition ranked 11th in the world reinforced concerns that Ireland have significant problems, and while O'Driscoll refuses to panic at the team's downward trajectory, he admits the win was well-timed.

"I wouldn't say it's a relief to have won because in the end I'd say we were worth our win," said the captain. "It's nice to get back to winning ways and remind ourselves of that feeling."

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Samoa dominated the second half until Ronan O'Gara, who finished with 15 points, scampered over for a 66th-minute try created by Peter Stringer. Until then, Samoa had looked well placed to register an upset against opponents who started as 1/66 favourites.

Scorers: Ireland: Tries: Heaslip, O'Gara. Cons: O'Gara 2. Pens: O'Gara 2. Samoa: Try: Tuilagi. Con: Williams. Pen: Williams.

Ireland: Fitzgerald; Bowe, O'Driscoll, Wallace, trimble; O'Gara, Stringer (Boss 77); Court, Cronin (Best 61), Hayes (Healy 64), O'Callaghan, Toner (Ryan 68), Leamy, O'Brien, Heaslip (Ferris 61).

Samoa: P Williams; Lemi, Pisi (G Williams 78), Mapusua, Tuilagi; Lavea (Poluleuligaga 69), Fotualii; Taulafo (Lemalu 77), Schwalger, Perenise, Levi (Tekori 71), Thompson, Treviranus (Aiono 71), Salavea, Stowers.