IRELAND are hoping to complete a clean sweep this year by winning the Rugby World Cup – but they have to get past Romania first.
Andy Farrell guided the Irish to a 15th Six Nations triumph along with a 13th Triple Crown and a 4th Grand Slam after beating England in their final March fixture.
And this cemented Ireland's rankings at the top of the pile following last year's historic series success in New Zealand.
However, the Irish were on the wrong end of 46-14 thrashing when they last took part in a Rugby World Cup tournament courtesy of serial winners New Zealand.
But they'll be expected to get off to the perfect start against Romania who only qualified for the competition due to Spain's exile.
When is Ireland vs Romania?
- Ireland's Rugby World Cup opener against Romania will take place on Saturday, September 9.
- It is scheduled to get underway at 2:30pm BST.
- Matmut Atlantique, Bordeaux is the allocated arena for this intriguing match and it can host approximately 42,115 fans.
- Romania have NEVER beaten Ireland in a rugby contest in ten attempts with the Irish winning nine of them.
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What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?
- Ireland vs Romania will be broadcast LIVE on ITV 1 in the UK.
- Fans can also stream the entire action live via the ITV X app on any tablet or mobile device.
- Alternatively, SunSport will have minute-by-minute action of this Rugby World Cup opener through our live blog.
Can I watch it for FREE?
Yes!
Fans can watch Ireland vs Romania for FREE as long as you hold a valid TV license in the UK.
Team news
Ireland boss Andy Farrell will have to go through the tournament without prop Cian Healy who sustained a leg injury during a scrappy warm-up win against Samoa.
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2Ireland forwards: Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Peter O'Mahony, Tom O'Toole, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.
Ireland backs: Bundee Aki, Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Keith Earls, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Jimmy O'Brien, Garry Ringrose, Johnny Sexton (captain).
Romania forwards: Alexandru Savin, Gheorghe Gajion, Thomas Crețu, Alexandru Gordaș, Costel Burțilă, Iulian Harțig, Ovidiu Cojocaru, Robert Irimescu, Florin Bărdașu, Adrian Motoc, Marius Iftimiciuc, Ștefan Iancu, Cristi Chirica, Mihai Macovei (captain), Vlad Neculau, Dragoș Ser, Cristi Boboc, Florian Roșu, Damian Strătilă.
Romania backs: Gabriel Rupanu, Florin Surugiu, Alin Conache; Gabriel Pop, Mihai Mureșan, Tudor Boldor; Taylor Gontineac, Jason Tomane, Tevita Manumua,; Nicolas Onuțu, Marius Simionescu, Tangimana Fonovai, Hinckley Vaovasa, Paul Popoaia.
Latest updates
- Ireland to win 1/1000
- Tie 125/1
- Romania to win 80/1
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes are correct at time of publication
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