Despite getting off to a flying start, Ireland were unable to maintain their winning form from the end of the 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations as they fell to a 40-36 defeat.
There were still plenty of positives to the performance, the attacking highlights coming in the first half where Vicky Elmes Kinlan and Eve Higgins finished off two superbly-worked tries.
Connacht back rower Jemima Adams Verling also made her mark on her senior international debut, making a line break, six carries, and 16 tackles, and beating four defenders during her 50 minutes on the pitch.
Scott Bemand's side will quickly regroup for next Sunday's second Vodafone Ireland WXV Series match against Japan at Dexcom Stadium (kick-off 12.45pm). Tickets are available to buy here.
A close-up view of debutant Jemima Adams Verling's first Ireland jersey
The Ireland dressing room at Tallaght Stadium ahead of the arrival of captain Erin King and her team-mates
USA co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding and Ireland captain Erin King are pictured at the coin toss with match referee Maggie Cogger-Orr
Second rows Dorothy Wall and Fiona Tuite-O'Sullivan are pictured with Roscommon youngster Jemima Adams Verling, who won her first cap at blindside flanker
Captain Erin King has a final few words with her team-mates ahead of Ireland taking to the pitch for their first ever Test at Tallaght Stadium
A view from inside the tunnel as the two teams prepare to walk out together for their Tallaght Stadium clash
There was a minute's applause before kick-off to pay tribute to former Ireland Grand Slam-winning head coach Philip Doyle, who sadly passed away in July
This was Ireland's first match since their historic Aviva Stadium outing against Scotland in May when they finished the Six Nations with a resounding 54-5 win
Jemima Adams Verling, Ireland's latest new cap, was quickly into the action with an early carry
Eve Higgins reacts after Vicky Elmes Kinlan crossed in the left corner to give Ireland a seventh-minute lead
Emily Lane and Stacey Flood join in the celebrations with try scorer Vicky Elmes Kinlan and Eve Higgins
Out-half Dannah O'Brien attempts a conversion from out wide during the Vodafone Ireland WXV Series opener
Aoife Dalton tries to break away from Tessa Hann during the first half of Ireland's high-scoring encounter with the USA
Erin King captained the Ireland 15s team for the sixth time following on from the successful 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations campaign
Eve Higgins, one of Ireland's first half try scorers, takes on USA co-captain Georgie Perris-Redding and Hope Rogers, their most-capped player of all-time
Aoife Wafer, the reigning Guinness Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship, stood out as Ireland built an early 17-0 lead
HIA replacement Anna McGann hands off Tessa Hann as she leads an Irish attack in Tallaght
Following up on Anna McGann's brilliant break, Eve Higgins was able to apply the finishing touches as Ireland made it 24-7
USA winger Erica Coulibaly could not prevent Eve Higgins from running in Ireland's fourth try of the opening 40 minutes
Eve Higgins celebrates with Anna McGann, who got away from three defenders to set up the 27th-minute score for her close friend and roommate
Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald was one of Ireland's leading performers again, scoring a try and making this eye-catching second-half break
Young winger Robyn O'Connor shows her determination to get to the try-line, as Ireland looked to add to their 24-12 half-time lead
Dubliner Stacey Flood got to grace the Tallaght Stadium pitch having previously watched the Republic of Ireland Women's soccer team play there
Dorothy Wall, pictured absorbing a tackle from USA lock Hallie Taufoou, was Ireland's joint-top carrier with 17, alongside Aoife Wafer
Aoibheann Reilly, who was introduced on the 50-minute mark, made her return to international rugby after a broken fibula
The vocal Tallaght Stadium crowd were treated to some excellent attacking play, with a total of 12 tries and 76 points scored between the teams
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand talks to his players following a disappointing final quarter which saw the USA emerge as 40-36 winners
It was a very proud moment for Creggs RFC product Jemima Adams Verling as she was presented with her Ireland cap at pitchside
Anna McGann takes a selfie with a young fan as the Ireland players mingle with the supporters following the game in Tallaght
Brittany Hogan, a second-half replacement for Ireland, is pictured signing some autographs for the supporters at Tallaght Stadium
