Ireland had the sort of opening that should settle an international. It ended with the sort of finish that stays with a squad for a week.

The 40-36 loss to the USA at Tallaght Stadium began brilliantly for Scott Bemand's side. Ireland led 17-0 after the opening quarter and were 31-12 ahead early in the second half. Then the American power game found its foothold and the match slipped away.

A game that changed in one spell

Vicky Elmes Kinlan's yellow card in the 63rd minute came at the worst possible time. Ireland conceded three converted tries while down to 14 players, and the USA turned a 19-point deficit into a lead they would not surrender.

Ireland had played some fine rugby before that. Vicky Elmes Kinlan, Cliodhna Moloney MacDonald, Aoife Wafer, Eve Higgins, Erin King and Dorothy Wall all crossed, while Dannah O'Brien converted three of the six tries.

The final score still told a harsh story. Ireland were good enough to build a lead that large. They were not composed enough to protect it when the pressure changed hands.

Bemand has named the problem

Bemand pointed to the penalties that handed the USA territory and momentum. That is the right place to start. A physical side does not need an invitation twice, particularly when the maul gets rolling and the bench has to adapt around a card.

The response now matters more than the disappointment. Ireland host Japan at Dexcom Stadium in Galway on Sunday, with another meeting in Cork the following week. The attack has given them something to trust. The control under pressure has to catch up.

Reporting: RTÉ Sport, The42