Eddie O'Sullivan and Declan Kidney, Irish rugby's two most successful coaches of the professional era, will go head to head in Santa Clara, California on Sunday as a youthful Ireland wind up their summer tour against O'Sullivan's USA Eagles.

Pleasantries are sure to be exchanged, particularly between O'Sullivan and the more experienced Ireland players like tour captain Rory Best, but the new American supremo will adopt a business-like approach for the Setanta Challenge Cup

"It's very important for us to get these games against Ireland and Wales. They'll be tough games and it will be exactly what we need to get our heads set for the World Cup qualifiers," he said.

"It will be a big ask for us to win those games (against Canada) but it would be great if we could because it would put us directly into the Rugby World Cup. So it's really something to work towards.

"So they're of huge value to us in that respect and they will give us a good indicator of where we are in terms of our preparations."