The 2016 game against New Zealand in Chicago was followed by a clash with Italy here in 2018. Ireland would have played the US in Las Vegas in 2021 but for Covid, while this latest meeting with the All Blacks adds to the history. Yesterday was a damp squib in many fans’ eyes, but the IRFU and New Zealand Rugby made significant money from it.

Ireland had not made the most of opportunities to add scores in the second and third quarters of the game in Chicago

Ireland were defeated 26-13 by the All Blacks at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday. Here are our player ratings on a forgettable night.

The Gallagher Cup returns to Soldier Field in a historic rematch between Ireland and the New Zealand All Blacks.

The way Ireland and New Zealand drew on inspiration to get off to a good start to the match on Saturday couldn’t have been more different. Ireland emerged from the tunnel with the players in green tracksuit tops. New Zealand’s entrance was a more ready-for-action look, all of them in short sleeves, guns popping and tattoos aplenty.