Keith Earls is stand out performer as Ireland overcome average USA side.

Nobody is arguing that the USA are anything other that an average side reflected by their 16th spot ranking in  World Rugby.

And but for an indifferent performance from Joey Carberry, the 55-19 margin of victory could and should have been greater.

Ireland handed out five debuts during their victory in New Jersey, with two of the new faces – Jacob Stockdale and James Ryan – touching down for tries.

There was little argument about the official man-of-the-match too.

Despite all the new caps and lack of front line stars, it was Munster’s Keith Earls that was head and shoulders above the rest.

The Munster man carried 12 times for 218 metres gained, had nine line breaks and blazed past seven defenders with ball in hand. In the first half alone, his seven carries gained Ireland 192 metres and led to four tries [two for himself and two assists].

The impressive Tiernan O’Halloran teamed up with Earls for his first try:

3: TRY!@USARugby 0-5 @IrishRugby!
Keith Earls goes for Ireland early doors! Conversion missed by Joey Carbery. #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/m5il1viNR9

— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017

With Kieran Marmion heavily involved in the build-up to Earls’ second – his 22nd for Ireland.

19: TRY! @USARugby 0-17 @IrishRugby!
Keith Earls get his second try of the game! Carbery's kick goes wide. #USAvIRE pic.twitter.com/3Q0Zbu117H

— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 10, 2017

Munster fans will be hoping that this type of form can carry over in to next year. One thing is for sure, when Earls is form, he is top class players.

Ireland head on to Japan for their next game at 6:30am [Irish time] on Saturday.

IRELAND: T O’Halloran; K Earls, G Ringrose, L Marshall, J Stockdale; J Carbery, K Marmion; C Healy, N Scannell, John Ryan; Q Roux, D Toner; R Ruddock (capt), J van der Flier, J Conan. Replacements: R Scannell for L Marshall (half-time), S Zebo for J Carbery, D Kilcoyne for C Healy, A Porter for J Ryan and D Heffernan for N Scannell (all 50 mins), L McGrath for K Marmion, J Ryan for Q Roux (both 60 mins), D Leavy for J van der Flier (69 mins), J van der Flier for T O’Halloran (73 mins).

USA: B Cima; M Te’o, R Matyas, M Brache, M Iosefo; AJ MacGinty, Nate Augspurger; B Tarr, P Malcolm, C Baumann; N Brakeley, N Civetta; J Quill, T Lamborn, D Tameilau. Replacements: W Magie for M Brache (27-37 mins, 66 mins), S Davies for M Iosefo, P Ryan for C Baumann, M Jensen for N Civetta (all 48 mins).

REFEREE: L Pearce (England