RWC '15 Pool D: Ireland v Romania, Sunday 27/9 16:45 TV3/ITV1

paulie21

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

Time: 4:45PM

Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)

TV: ITV & TV3

Overview: Ireland come into their second game of the 2015 World Cup looking to make it 10 points from 10 after a comfortable 50-7 win over Canada last Saturday. Romania will be looking to bounce back after losing to France 38-11 on Wednesday.

Team News: Jamie Heaslip, Keith Earls and Jared Payne are the only players to retain their place in the side as Joe Schmidt has rung the changes for the Irish side. Robbie Henshaw has failed to recover from his hamstring injury in time and Ian Madigan is preferred to Paddy Jackson at fly half. Interestingly enough this is the oldest side Ireland have ever fielded in a Rugby World Cup match with an average age of 29 years and 245 days.

Zebo, Bowe, Payne, Cave, Earls, Madigan, Reddan, Heaslip(C), Henry, Murphy, Toner, Ryan, White, Strauss, Healy.

Subs: Cronin, McGrath, Furlong, O'Connell, O'Brien, Murray, Jackson, R Kearney

Romania make eight changes to their lineup. Their team is the most experienced in Rugby World Cup history with a total of 728 caps between them. Catalin Fercu starts at full back still in search of that elusive try that will see him become Romania's all time leading try scorer, a wait that has gone on for two years.

Fercu, Apostol, Kinikinilau, Gal, Botezatu, Wiringi, Calafeteanu, Carpo, Macovei(C), Lucaci, Tonita, Poparlan, Ion, Radoi, Ursache.

Subs: Turashvili, Lazar, Tarus, Van Heerden, Burcea, Surugiu, Ionita, Vlaicu.

Prediction: Ireland 46-15 Romania

Maybe the best thing about this match is that Sexton can't get injured during the fixture.

Hard to know how well Romania will bounce back after the France game. I think we'll secure the bonus point early in the second half and crack on from there ending up somewhere between 40 - 50 points.

I don't see Romania getting more than 10.

Wonder if there will be a half time video of Joe going apoplectic in the changing room doing the rounds next week.

thomond2006

Any indication of the expected attendance?

matthew8

Not the strongest Irish team but Romania will be tired. Should be similar to the Canada game.

Sean Kinsella

paulie21 wrote: »

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

Time: 4:45PM

Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)

TV: ITV & TV3

Overview: Ireland come into their second game of the 2015 World Cup looking to make it 10 points from 10 after a comfortable 50-7 win over Canada last Saturday. Romania will be looking to bounce back after losing to France 38-11 on Wednesday.

Team News: Jamie Heaslip, Keith Earls and Jared Payne are the only players to retain their place in the side as Joe Schmidt has rung the changes for the Irish side. Robbie Henshaw has failed to recover from his hamstring injury in time and Ian Madigan is preferred to Paddy Jackson at fly half. Interestingly enough this is the oldest side Ireland have ever fielded in a Rugby World Cup match with an average age of 29 years and 245 days.

Zebo, Bowe, Payne, Cave, Earls, Madigan, Reddan, Heaslip(C), Henry, Murphy, Toner, Ryan, White, Strauss, Healy.

Subs: Cronin, McGrath, Furlong, O'Connell, O'Brien, Murray, Jackson, R Kearney

Romania make eight changes to their lineup. Their team is the most experienced in Rugby World Cup history with a total of 728 caps between them. Catalin Fercu starts at full back still in search of that elusive try that will see him become Romania's all time leading try scorer, a wait that has gone on for two years.

Fercu, Apostol, Kinikinilau, Gal, Botezatu, Wiringi, Calafeteanu, Carpo, Macovei(C), Lucaci, Tonita, Poparlan, Ion, Radoi, Ursache.

Subs: Turashvili, Lazar, Tarus, Van Heerden, Burcea, Surugiu, Ionita, Vlaicu.

Prediction: Ireland 46-15 Romania

Where did the Romanian team-sheet come from? I can't find anything online.

paulie21

Sean Kinsella wrote: »

Where did the Romanian team-sheet come from? I can't find anything online.

Official RWC site

crisco10

Anybody know is that Romania team 1st string or a mix or...

Ceadog

crisco10 wrote: »

Anybody know is that Romania team 1st string or a mix or...

Bit of a mix, I think. I recognise a couple of lads on the field and on the bench so I'm going off that :P

pc7

I was surprised by how big and physical some of them where, really hope we come away with win (don't care about the score) and no injuries

blackdog1

If anyone is looking for tickets for this match they can pm me.

Losty Dublin

We really need to be looking to put circa 50 points past them on Sunday. While they played okay as a team they showed little to make me worried. They rely too much on scrummaging and 9 and 10 man rugby. With a back line who need game time the likes of Earls and Zebo especially should be playing as if they are playing for the Italy and France tests.

Bret Hart

50 point plus win for Ireland. 62-10.

bilston

According to the42.ie, World Rugby are saying Sunday's game is on course to be a 90,000 sell out. That would be remarkable. I'll believe it when I see it mind. But still it's obviously going to be a big crowd either way.

ninebeanrows

bilston wrote: »

According to the42.ie, World Rugby are saying Sunday's game is on course to be a 90,000 sell out. That would be remarkable. I'll believe it when I see it mind. But still it's obviously going to be a big crowd either way.

Yea, close to it, just a few hundred tickets left apparently. These the expensive ones though!

kuang1

Weathercheck wrote: »

Yea, close to it, just a few hundred tickets left apparently. These the expensive ones though!

Have the option of buying a CAT D ticket right now...only a single though.

Losty Dublin

kuang1 wrote: »

Have the option of buying a CAT D ticket right now...only a single though.

Beggars can't be choosers!

sydneybound

What I dont get is here a day before the game I'm trying to buy two tickets seated together and you can only buy singles in cat D, B & A on the rugby World Cup website.

I bet when it comes to tomorrow we'll see about 10,000 empty seats considering its a 90,000 seater stadium. It's a bit frustrating, don't get me wrong I'd love to see a sell out buy doubt it would happen. Why not put the rest of the tickets on sale now.

suicide_circus

TV3 just ran a Dracula themed preview of for the Romania game....I cringed so hard I think I put my back out..

CatFromHue

When I think of Romania I think of Ceausecu, Hagi, Dracula, and The Roma people.

I think they tool the safe option there!

rebel girl 15

Caps prior to RWC

Fercu(79), Apostol(18), Kinikinilau(0), Gal (83), Botezatu(27), Wiringi(1), Calafeteanu(73), Carpo(50), Macovei(C)(63), Lucaci(41), Tonita(70), Poparlan(46), Ion(69), Radoi(45), Ursache(21).

Subs: Turashvili(20), Lazar(46), Tarus(7), Van Heerden(0), Burcea(50), Surugiu(50), Ionita(17), Vlaicu(80).

.ak

suicide_circus wrote: »

TV3 just ran a Dracula themed preview of for the Romania game....I cringed so hard I think I put my back out..

Almost as cringe as the GOT intro.

Was impressed with a lot of elements of Romania's play up front (breakdown, scrums etc.) last Wednesday for the opening 25 or so but ultimately they have nothing outside 9. With the work they had done in the opening 25 they should have been about 10 points up instead with the two quick fire tries it was game over and its a long way to the finish with little to fight for.

The yellow card against Canada opened the flood gates earlier than expected, it may take a bit longer here but given Romania had a tough outing on Wednesday and that this is realistically the last opportunity for a number of Irish players to move up the pecking order or push themselves into the first 15 I'd expect us to put up a good score.

Pink Fairy

BP again by halftime is very realistic, would have liked to have seen Earls and Zebo on opposite wings as I'd hoped both would destroy the Romanian defense, but still, easy win, 40+ possible by victory

kuang1

Good luck to all attending today...hope ye have a ball.
Extra cudos to anyone going today who was also in cardiff last week. Dunno how ye do it as I'm only coming right since yesterday!!!!

alias no.9

bilston wrote: »

According to the42.ie, World Rugby are saying Sunday's game is on course to be a 90,000 sell out. That would be remarkable. I'll believe it when I see it mind. But still it's obviously going to be a big crowd either way.

It may be a sell out because of the underhand ticket sales strategy, if there's more than 80% full I'll be surprised.

leonard7

going to this today but didn't have the foresight to take the day off work tomorrow. Not sure how hard to go.

bilston

alias no.9 wrote: »

It may be a sell out because of the underhand ticket sales strategy, if there's more than 80% full I'll be surprised.

72,000 for Ireland v Romania would still be very impressive!

Pink Fairy

Pub or home for the game? ....I'd probably get relegated to the bedroom and my 24" on tv3........think I've answered my own question really

aimee1

Checked in next door to wembley. A lot of irish jersies about already.

VinLieger

Who did we pay off for our match schedule? Seriously i bet every other team in the tournament must be looking at it pretty jealously

keith16

Too early to have a can?

padser

i just noticed that Joubert is the ref for this match.

Its sad that almost 4 yrs after his showing the World Cup final the guy is still getting World Cup matches.

(I could pick out other examples, if memory serves he was the ref that allowed Wales a try against us that had something like 4 seperate infringements including switching the ball)

P_1

keith16 wrote: »

Too early to have a can?

Be rude not to

beertons

keith16 wrote: »

Too early to have a can?

Just the 1?

Keep a good stock, have 1 for every try.

aimee1

padser wrote: »

i just noticed that Joubert is the ref for this match.

Its sad that almost 4 yrs after his showing the World Cup final the guy is still getting World Cup matches.
R
(I could pick out other examples, if memory serves he was the ref that allowed Wales a try against us that had something like 4 seperate infringements including switching the ball)

Wrong ball was kaplan

sjb25

keith16 wrote: »

Too early to have a can?

Not at all it's beer o clock

BoJack Horseman

alias no.9 wrote: »

It may be a sell out because of the underhand ticket sales strategy.

What is this strategy?

sjb25

Pink Fairy wrote: »

Pub or home for the game? ....I'd probably get relegated to the bedroom and my 24" on tv3........think I've answered my own question really

You've got it all wrong have herself and the younglad going visiting the nanny and grandad all day whole house empty just rugby on TV for the day oh and fridge well stocked with refreshments

Stheno

sjb25 wrote: »

You've got it all wrong have herself and the younglad going visiting the nanny and grandad all day whole house empty just rugby on TV for the day oh and fridge well stocked with refreshments

I am sending oh and his kids to lunch while I go to the pub

Win win

padser

aimee1 wrote: »

Wrong ball was kaplan

Fair enough, I'll excuse Joubert from that so (and in Kaplans defence I think he actually went to the TMO who screwed up)

MikeCork2009

Hoping to see Tommy Bowe play like a man possessed today!!!

total former

padser wrote: »

Fair enough, I'll excuse Joubert from that so (and in Kaplans defence I think he actually went to the TMO who screwed up)

You're all over the place here in fairness.

Kaplan asked his touch judge (Peter Allan) the direct question "was it the same ball?", Allan said it was. There was no scope to go to TMO.

Kaplan was totally blameless

rebel girl 15

Plenty of Irish jerseys on the metropolitan line in, will be like a home game in Wembley!

efb

At Tullamore RFC for the match! Great women's match on we're 31-0 up!

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Just seeing these photos from inside Wembley and what they eff is going on with the flags?



Like it or not we have an official Ireland Rugby flag, why on earth are they using a Republic of Ireland flag and an Ulster flag? Not even Northern Ireland, Ulster!?

.ak

Looks like someone made a booboo.

Not sure anyone will lose sleep over it though, I'm sure it won't happen again.

.ak

Why are people in their seats THAT early tho? Is Alan Quinlan outside threatening people?

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

.ak wrote: »

Looks like someone made a booboo.

Not sure anyone will lose sleep over it though, I'm sure it won't happen again.

I could have sworn the kids carrying the flags out before the Canada match had a tricolour though. Shouldn't be that hard to get it right, it's always right during the 6 Nations.

Scythica

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I could have sworn the kids carrying the flags out before the Canada match had a tricolour though. Shouldn't be that hard to get it right, it's always right during the 6 Nations.

I was at the Canada match and they had the 2 flags flying there again

irishbucsfan

Scythica wrote: »

I was at the Canada match and they had the 2 flags flying there again

Yes they'll have them for each tournament. Seems an odd choice but I'd imagine it was left to the IRFU and they have their reasons

awec

They fly the two flags at Landsdowne Road as well for home games.