The Irish Rugby World Cup squad is steeling itself for an opening barrage by a United States team fired-up on the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center bombing.

The team's September 11 game against the US Eagles should take place with a full-strength squad, after two injured players who straggled into their initial Queenstown base were able to train yesterday.

The team leaves for New Plymouth today, where Sunday's 9/11 game will take place.

TIM CLAYTON/The Southland Times IN TRAINING: Ireland's captain Brian O'Driscoll is likely to play against the USA on Sunday.

However, facing the Eagles on a day when their patriotism is bound to be at an all-time high is not their only concern – Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan joined the US squad in 2009 after resigning as Irish coach in 2008.

Irish fullback Geordan Murphy, who earned many caps under O'Sullivan, said it would be a momentous clash.

"He'll have a lot of insider knowledge on us and the way our guys like to play, and I'm sure he'll be tipping his team off to our strengths and weaknesses,'' he said.

The team was expecting a massive opening push, full of physicality in the opening minutes.

"Obviously it's a pretty momentous day for them... they'll be charged by that I'm sure, but from an Irish point of view, we'll have to make sure we at least match their physicality and intensity – especially in that first 10 minutes.''

Team media manager Karl Richardson said captain Brian O'Driscoll had taken part in a full training session yesterday and hoped to lead the team against the Eagles.

The squad was buoyed by the late arrival of centre Gordon D'Arcy and prop Cian Healy on Monday, he said.

Healy was held back in Ireland because of an eye injury in the team's final warm-up game against England on August 27.

A calf strain to D'Arcy during a rehab session on the squad's day of departure temporarily stalled his travel.

Both took part in a full training session yesterday.