Ireland 'concentrating on themselves' ahead of clash with 'determined' Romania

WATCHFUL EYE: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell during the captain's run at the Stade de Bordeaux. Pic: David Davies/PA Wire.

After four years in the making, Ireland finally get their 2023 World Cup campaign underway in France this afternoon and Johnny Sexton’s men will be under strict instructions not to fluff their lines against Pool B underdogs Romania.

Past history, current form and an expected Irish crowd estimated conservatively at 20,000-plus inside the 41,115-capacity Stade de Bordeaux suggest victory is not just expected but a pre-requisite for this opening game, despite the twin obstacles of 36C temperatures expected at kick-off and an intensely physical opposition.

Ireland have not lost to the Romanians in nine meetings between the nations and have put more than 40 points on the Oaks in each of their three previous World Cup clashes in 1999, 2003 and 2015 and the pre-tournament rankings separate them by 19 places. 

In short, there is nothing that points to anything but a 14th consecutive Test victory for the world's number-one side, though head coach Andy Farrell did pay his respects when assessing Romania on Thursday.

“For anyone that’s watched them, it’s pretty clear and obvious that they’re a determined group,” Farrell said.

“I think by their own recollection they would say that their point of difference is their power, their aggression, their set-piece. They love mauling, they love the scrummaging part of the game. They’re very direct in the forwards and pretty nippy and dangerous within the backs as well.

“We’ve scouted them well, but at the same time more of the concentration this week has been on ourselves.” 

There will be bumps in the road, of course. Every international match has them but after a trio of so-so performances last month in victory against Italy, England and Samoa, Ireland are preparing to dust off something approaching their A game.

Attack coach Mike Catt was the latest in a long line of talking heads from the Irish camp this week to ram home the internal messaging that the Summer Series of Test matches had not seen the national team at its fluent and world-beating best. After an eve-of-match training session at the impressive Stade de Bordeaux yesterday, he spoke about it being time to get down to business and deliver.

“I think it’s run its course in terms of pre-season games. It’s always a Test match when we put on that Irish shirt but ultimately we haven’t been accurate enough,” Catt said.

“From a coaching point of view, we’ve really driven the accuracy part going into this game and into the next four, five weeks, because it’s crucial we get that right.

“The boys have trained exceptionally well but like it’s been alluded to, in our pre-season games we haven’t been accurate enough and that’s what we need to drive harder tomorrow.” 

 Farrell’s team selection backs up the strong pre-match sentiment with a first-choice backline save for Mack Hansen, replaced on the right wing by a none-too-shabby Keith Earls, and including a start for captain and fly-half Johnny Sexton in his first game back from both a groin injury and three-game suspension. 

Now aged 38, Sexton will be playing his first game since March 18, when he led Ireland to the Grand Slam against England and his return should also increase Ireland’s chances of finding that better accuracy and fluency.

“Listen, Johnny is massively experienced; this is his fourth World Cup,” Catt said of the skipper. 

“Remember Johnny has been training with us every single day for the last eight, 10 weeks as well. Ross (Byrne) and Jack (Crowley) are up there in terms of that.

“Johnny demands pure accuracy and stuff, but in the same breath it’s just making sure everyone is nice and calm and able to deliver in the key moments.

“He’s a massive figure in any team, like any captain is, and what he brings to the team. It’ll be nice to see Johnny back on the pitch. It’s been quite a while and I think if he concentrates on his game, he’ll pull guys with him.” 

Sexton is ready and Ireland are primed for lift-off, Farrell’s men just need to iron out those pre-tournament wrinkles.

IRELAND: H Keenan (Leinster); K Earls (Munster), G Ringrose (Leinster), B Aki (Connacht), J Lowe (Leinster); J Sexton (Leinster) – captain, J Gibson-Park (Leinster); A Porter (Leinster), R Herring (Ulster), T Furlong (Leinster); J McCarthy (Leinster), J Ryan (Leinster); T Beirne (Munster), P O’Mahony (Munster), C Doris (Leinster).

Replacements: R Kelleher (Leinster), J Loughman (Munster), T O’Toole (Ulster), I Henderson (Ulster), J van der Flier (Leinster), C Murray (Munster), J Crowley (Munster), R Henshaw (Leinster).

ROMANIA: M Simionescu (SCM USV Timișoara); N Onutu (CS Vienne), F Tangimana (CSA Steaua), J Tomane (CSM Știința Baia Mare), T Manumua (CSM Știința Baia Mare); H Vaovasa (CSA Steaua), G Rupanu (SCM USV Timișoara); I Hartig (RC Bassin d’Arcachon), O Cojocaru (CS Dinamo), A Gordas (CS Dinamo); A Motoc (Biarritz), S Iancu (CSM Știința Baia Mare); F Rosu (CSM Știința Baia Mare), V Neculau (SCM USV Timișoara), C Chirica – captain (CS Dinamo).

Replacements: F Bardasu (CSA Steaua), A Savin (CSA Steaua), G Gajion (Stade Montois), M Iftimiciuc (US Carcassonne), D Ser (CSA Steaua), A Conache (SCM USV Timișoara), T Boldor (CS Dinamo), T Gontineac (Rouen).

Referee: Nika Amakusheli (Georgia)