Hugo Keenan: Ireland ready to deliver statement performance against Romania

READY TO GO: Hugo Keenan stretches before an Ireland rugby squad training session at Complexe de la Chambrerie in Tours, France. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Hugo Keenan believes Ireland are ready to deliver a statement performance this Saturday when they get their World Cup campaign underway at France 2023.

The Ireland squad is set to travel to Bordeaux on Thursday ahead of their opening Pool B match against tournament outsiders Romania. It is a game they are expected to win against the minnows of the group yet after some patchy performances in August across three warm-up victories over Italy, England and Samoa, the full-back feels the time is right for the world number one team to lay down a marker.