There is a lot of modesty and circumspection going around at the moment in rugby circles. Talking a lot, saying little. Australia's application of respectful mind massage on Wednesday to the other teams in their World Cup group has set a trend. Yesterday it was the USA. Galaxies apart in rugby terms admittedly, but both bed fellows in sweet talking their hosts.

Coach Jack Clarke stepped up first in the bar at DLSP and boomed out like a preacher about how proud he was of his team of mostly amateur players. Only four of the "Eagles," - Tom Billups (Pontypridd), Luke Gross (Rovigo), Dave Hodges (Llanelli) and Dan Lyle (Bath) - are professional players.

"We've had a very interesting season," Clarke said. "The boys have had the finest season that the USA has ever had: beating three World Cup teams with convincing victories over Fiji and Tonga and a good victory over Canada." "Unfortunately," Clarke continued, "we had the most embarrassing 60 minutes of rugby in the history of our Union as well, so . . . as I've said . . . it's been interesting."

Not considered a real threat to either Ireland or Australia, the United States will be pinning their hopes on a rollicking performance against Romania but even that is an aspiration. What coach Clarke was referring to as the most embarrassing moment was England's 106-8 win at Twickenham last month. "A Test victory is a Test victory," he said. "I don't think you can undo that. England were extraordinarily good that day and we emerged as a battle-hardened outfit. In rugby terms, we've been to hell and back. "It was a very, very tough occasion. But we're pretty hardy. It's that theme of pioneer rugby, which is where we are in America. It's not like us to get down over an occasion like that."

Clark gave way to the delightfully positive US captain Dan Lyle, a flanker with Bath who made his debut for his country in 1994 when the Americans visited Ireland. The 28-year-old, a former All-American tight end at Virginia Military Institute, turned down an NFL (American football) contract to pursue rugby.

The visitors have played and lost three times to Ireland, the last occasion on a rain swept pitch in Atlanta in 1996.

"All these games are important to US rugby," said Lyle. "It is important for us to go out and show to ourselves and to other people that we qualified on our merit. "If we can emerge with some great play, some individual moments, then we can get some results. People are saying we are down because of one result, but we are a hard team. Write us off if you feel . . . that's up to you."

Ireland, least of all, will dismiss the Americans as an easy touch in Pool E. Where prospects and aspirations are set so terribly low, at least in public, there is always danger lurking. The pioneering spirit, as the Americans pointed out, is dogged and resourceful. By qualifying for the competition, however, they have already reached their goldmine. Now they simply have to dig.

The relative state of penury of the Americans will also strike a cord with the pre-professional Irish players. Losing money rather than earning it through leaving your job and representing your country has a familiar ring to it. None of the US team had seen each other for several weeks until they touched down at Heathrow yesterday. Most had come from San Francisco, but also Washington DC and several others from Europe.

"The emergence of us here is really going to be positive in the US," said Lyle. "We're a small sport but have very enthusiastic people working in it. You look at players and you see the light in their eyes for being here. It shows well for us and it shows well for US rugby."

The US are here. The Eagles have landed.