It was a bit unconvincing, but it's now time for the serious stuff to start as Andy Farrell names his squad tomorrow ahead of the World Cup.

You can read Matt Gault's report from tonight's game in Bayonne here.

Let's hope things are a bit brighter against Romania on 9 September.

Join us tomorrow for a live text for tomorrow's squad announcement at 4pm. See you then!

Image source, Inpho

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell: "We’ll take that and move on. You know what though, it’s a great learning for us. The first half we played in the rain, we wanted that. The first time we’ve probably been behind and found a way back into the game, there was a lot of weird stuff going on and we contributed to that, but again, it’s test match rugby.

"It doesn’t all go your own way, sometimes you’ve got to find a way and you know what we played against a very good side today. Samoa, they’re a good side across the board, obviously very well coached and good players and we found a way, three tries to one, it’s pleasing to come away with a victory."

Andy Farrell on Cian Healy and Jimmy O'Brien injuries: "I saw what you saw. He pulled up sharp and struggled to get off the field. We'll try and get that assessed as soon as we possibly can.

"Jimmy had a bang on his shoulder. He has had a problem with his shoulder before but this is a different one. It all depends how you wake up."

On last-minute worries: "It was always going to be like this. Nothing ever goes smoothly and we have to be adaptable as staff and do the right thing."

Conor Murray, speaking to RTE: "We were ready for it. We knew the conditions were going to be difficult. It’s very hard to sum it up right after the game but I think in the first half we actually did a few good things but we just struggled to get a foot hold on the game and get territory.

"Samoa are a brilliant side when you give them loose ball and we probably coughed up too many loose balls, too many turn overs and they will punish you, so credit to them but we probably left a few chances out there, particularly set piece wise.

"We got into their 22 a couple of times but we just didn’t manage to execute for whatever reason, we are usually a lot better in those areas and if a few of those come off in the first half it’s a different game but credit to Samoa, they got stuck in and made us really, really fight for the win today and we can be happy with the way we ground it out and we dig deep for each other but look, we got the result and we will have plenty to review on Monday, I imagine."

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With that win, Ireland will head into the World Cup ranked first in the world.

South Africa are right there in second, which sets up their Pool B match on 23 September nicely.

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Ireland got the win, but the big concern will be surrounding Cian Healy and his injury.

He would be a big, big loss to Andy Farrell. Let's hope it's nothing too serious.

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There's going to be a few sore bodies tomorrow.

That was a proper, physical test for Ireland.

Image source, Inpho

Donal Lenihan
Former Ireland lock on RTE Sport

It's a record for Ireland but listen to the crowd, no doubt they were behind the Samoans. They put it up to Ireland tonight.

Ireland will forget about this game tonight, it's onwards and upwards, the shadow boxing is over now, it's all about two weeks time. Romania, that can't come soon enough for this group.

Conor McNamara
Commentator on Amazon Prime

Regardless of the outcome, Samoa will take away heaps of belief and confidence from this performance going into the World Cup.

They have also left a lot of opportunities out there - there were several chances they will feel they should have taken advantage of.

Ireland were able to withstand a Samoan storm and they will be happy to escape with the win.

I'd say despite losing the game, Samoa deserve to celebrate tonight given what they have shown they can do against one of the world's best teams.

They will have won over a lot of neutral fans tonight.

That's Ireland's 13th win in a row, which is a record for the team.

My word, they were made to work for that!

Ross Byrne sends it into the stands as soon as the clock goes red.

That was a massive performance from Samoa, but Ireland just had enough.

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30 seconds to go and Ireland have the ball. Up the jumper time!

It's spilled! James Ryan gets a huge touch on the line out and Mack Hansen launches it clear!

That's a massive moment!

The crowd are really getting behind Samoa here. Safe to say the French crowd want the Pacific Islanders to get a famous win in Bayonne here.

There's a brief pause for some injury treatment and then we'll have the grandstand finale!

Donal Lenihan
Former Ireland lock on RTE Sport

Conor Murray is my player of the match.

It hasn't been a vintage performance from anyone but when the pressure really came on for Ireland, Conor Murray scored that try that pulled Ireland back into the match.

Samoa come once more. Two minutes to go and they have another advantage in the 22....and win another penalty!

Redemption for Sopoaga? Yes! he makes the corner. One final push for the underdogs!

Oh no!

What a mistake that is!

It's a simple kick into the corner to put massive pressure on, but Lima Sopoaga sends it dead!

Samoa bundle their way into the 22 and they have the advantage!

In fact, they get the penalty! Huge!

Samoa win a penalty in their own half and manage to get into the Ireland half.

Is there one last sting in the tail here?

Donal Lenihan
Former Ireland lock on RTE Sport

For Ireland the pressure was on at half-time, they were behind and Samoa were putting on huge pressure but Ireland found their composure and found their control. The improved maul has been the difference in the second half.