Ireland will get their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign up and running this weekend when they face Romania in their opening group game of the tournament. We have all the news, including TV information, what time it starts, and the latest team news ahead of Ireland v Romania.
When is Ireland v Romania?
Ireland will face Romania on Saturday, September 9th in the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux at 2:30pm (Irish time).
How to watch Ireland v Romania
The Ireland v Romania game will be shown live on RTÉ2. It will also be available to live stream on RTÉ Player.
Ireland v Romania Form Guide
Ireland v Romania should be an interesting watch as Andy Farrell's number-one-ranked side in the world aims to go where no other Irish rugby team has ventured so far in the tournament, and that is to win it.
The Irish rugby team has competed in all nine of the Rugby World Cup tournaments, having played in all but two-quarter finals, however, they have failed to progress to the semi-finals.
Coming hot off their Six Nations and Grand Slam win in March, the Irish side has failed to lose a match since March of 2022, when they suffered a 30-24 loss to France. They will be coming into the Rugby World Cup as strong favorites and one of the very few teams in fine form.
Johnny Sexton is expected to make his first Ireland appearance since the 2023 Six Nations decider.
READ HERE: World Rugby Rankings: Where We Stand Ahead Of The 2023 Rugby World Cup
The same can't be said for Ireland's opposition Romania. The side managed by Eugen Apjok has failed to win any of their build-up games leading up to the World Cup and is a team struggling to find form and confidence.
However, it would be foolish to count them out against Ireland as they will be hoping to cause a huge upset on World Rugby's biggest stage and come up with a win against the number one ranked side in the world at the minute.
Ireland Team To Play Romania
15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)(31)
14. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)(100)
13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(52)
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)(47)
11. James Lowe (Leinster)(21)
10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(captain)(113)
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(26)
1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)(54)
2. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)(37)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)(67)
4. Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin University)(3)
5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)(55)
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(41)
7. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(96)
8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(31)
Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)(21)
17. Jeremy Loughman (Munster/Garryowen)(3)
18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch)(11)
19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)(74)
20. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(52)
21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)(107)
22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(6)
23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)(65)
SEE ALSO: Quiz: Name Ireland's Rugby World Cup Tryscorers Of The Pro Era
