Leicester star Alesana Tuilagi scored Samoa’s try with Paul Williams’ conversion, and another penalty, completing their scorers.

And Ireland coach Declan Kidney admitted his side’s performance was far from polished.

"The performance we'll need to work on but you have to give a little bit of credit to Samoa," said Kidney.

"It was a stop-start game. A lot of collapsed scrums. There was frustration there for everyone.

"We're not exactly firing on all cylinders to the extent that we're probably turning over a bit more ball than we want to.

"But we're having a go at it and if you don't try things you won't learn. We're trying to play with the ball in hand.

"I'm glad Samoa are not in our World Cup group. They're a tough, physical side.

"It was bit of an arm wrestle for long periods of the game, especially in the second half when they had us tied down to our goal-line.”