Gerry Thornley of the Irish Times looks ahead to what is going to be an especially emotional game for the United States against Ireland on Sunday.
"Of all the days of the year Ireland are to be pitted against the USA, one could hardly imagine there being a more emotionally charged occasion for an American team than the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 atrocities.
Those shocking images having reminded everyone of where they were that day, no national anthem in the tournament will carry more resonance for its players than the playing of the Star Spangled Banner in New Plymouth on Sunday.
American sports teams abroad are innately patriotic in any case and rugby is littered with examples as to how emotional energy can count for so much."
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