Ireland warmed up for next week's date with the All Blacks by securing a 35-8 win over Samoa at Lansdowne Road.

The Six Nations runners-up outscored their opponents by four tries to one in a tough, physical encounter.

New cap Jeremy Staunton had a memorable afternoon at full-back when marking his debut with an excellent second-half try.

Ireland laid the foundations for this win in the opening half. Second row Gary Longwell dominated the line-outs and the Irish scrum was rock solid throughout.

Irish and Lions fly-half Ronan O'Gara and Samoan counterpart Earl Va'a traded early penalties, but the home side dominated the closing 30 minutes of the half.

O'Gara's second penalty was followed by Ireland's first try and Samoa were down to 14 men by then following the yellow-carding of prop Leupolu after 11 minutes.

Ireland were awarded a penalty following a high tackle on captain Anthony Foley. O'Gara kicked the penalty to touch inside the Samoan 22 and Longwell took a clean catch for the Irish pack to maul their way over the line. Hooker Frank Sheahan was credited with the touchdown.

Again O'Gara added the conversion and two more penalties from his trusty boot left Ireland 16-3 ahead at the interval.

The Samoans had looked dangerous at various times during the opening period but they spurned a number of good scoring chances with poor handling.

Ireland made two substitutions at half-time and the changes brought a greater deal of urgency to the home side's play.

Within six minutes of the restart Staunton had crossed for his try following good work by man-of-the-match O'Gara and centre Kevin Maggs.

O'Gara added the conversion to see Ireland 20 points in front.

The Samoans hit back with an excellent try shortly after. Irish winger Geordan Murphy was penalised for holding on to the ball after a tackle close to the Samoan line.

The visitors chose to run the ball from deep and after some splendid handling winger So'oalo got in for the touchdown.

However, the score only served to sting Ireland into action.

Following a penalty inside the Samoan 22 O'Gara again opted to kick for touch, Ireland won the line-out and when the ball was flashed out along the back line Murphy got in for the try.

The home side's fourth try came three minutes from full time when winger Tyrone Howe finished off an excellent passing move to score in the corner.

O'Gara landed the conversion to see Ireland run out winners on a 35-8 scoreline.

The Samoans however, were given a standing ovation at the end for their enterprising approach and it was no more than they deserved.

The match was an ideal build-up for the Irish, who will harbour hopes of pulling off a long overdue success over the All Blacks next Saturday.

Ireland: J Staunton, G Murphy, B O'Driscoll, K Maggs, T Howe, R O'Gara, P Stringer, E Byrne, F Sheahan, J Hayes, M Galwey, G Longwell, E Miller, K Dawson, A Foley (capt). Replacements: T Brennan for Foley & S Easterby for Miller (half-time), P Clohessy for Hayes, G Easterby for Stringer & M Mullins for O'Driscoll (70 mins)

Samoa: T Villi, L Fa'atau, B Lima, V Tuigamala, A So'oalo, E Va'a, S So'ioalo, T Leupolu, J Meredith, J Tomuli, K Viliamu, O Paleopoi, S Vaili, S Sititi (capt), G Stowers. Replacements: S Leaega for Va'a (54), A Toala for G Stowers (71).

Referee: I Ramage (SRU)