Hello and welcome to
Sports Mole's live text coverage of the
Rugby World Cup pool-stage clash between
Ireland and Romania at Wembley.
Eight days after kicking off their campaign with a comfortable win over Canada in Cardiff, Ireland have the chance to edge ever closer to the knockout stages by picking up five more points in the English capital this evening.
Standing in their way is a Romania side seeking a first win in Pool D, having been beaten by France in their opening fixture at the Olympic Stadium. Les Bleus were made to work hard for the bonus point, but they managed to bag it inside the final 10 minutes.
That will very much be the target for
Joe Schmidt's men this evening, looking to claim another five points - despite the changes - to keep themselves firmly on track for top spot. A showdown with France in Cardiff awaits in a fortnight's time, but before we reach that stage it is a case of picking up as many points as possible.
Before taking a look at both sides in some more depth, let's switch attention to the team news from Wembley this evening...
TEAM NEWS!
IRELAND XV: Simon Zebo; Tommy Bowe, Jared Payne, Darren Cave, Keith Earls; Ian Madigan, Eoin Reddan; Cian Healy, Richardt Strauss, Nathan White; Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner; Jordi Murphy, Chris Henry, Jamie Heaslip
Replacements: Sean Cronin, Jack McGrath, Tadhg Furlong, Paul O'Connell, Sean O'Brien, Conor Murray, Paddy Jackson, Rob Kearney
Twelve changes in all made by Schmidt, then, who sees this match as a chance to rotate his squad somewhat. Robbie Henshaw misses out with a hamstring injury, while Jamie Heaslip takes over the captaincy in the absence of Paul O'Connell.
In fact, Heaslip is the only remaining member of the pack from last time out, as Ireland name a weakened squad for this second pool-stage match. Among their squad are four debutants, meanwhile, in a fixture that they should not have too much trouble navigating their way through.
Wembley Way is a sea of green this evening, as kickoff between Ireland and Romania fast approaches
TEAM NEWS!
ROMANIA XV: Catalin Fercu; Adrian Apostol, Paula Kinikinilau, Csaba Gal, Ionut Botezatu; Michael Wiringi, Valentin Calafeteanu; Andrei Ursache, Andrei Radoi, Paulica Ion; Valentin Poparlan, Ovidiu Tonita; Viorel Lucaci, Mihai Macovei, Daniel Carpo
Replacements: Mihaita Lazar, Otar Turashvili, Alexandru Tarus, Johannes van Heerden, Stelian Burcea, Florin Surugiu, Florin Ionita, Florin Vlaicu
Romania have named their oldest ever starting lineup at a Rugby World Cup (29y 347d, in case you were wondering...), as they look to join Japan in pulling off a big shock in the early stages of this tournament. The Oaks are ranked at 17th in the world, so overcoming a side with one eye on the Webb Ellis Cup will be some challenge.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! These two sides have met on eight occasions before, with Ireland - perhaps unsurprisingly - coming out on top in each of those meetings. In fact, Romania have never come within 18 points of their opponents in those pasts encounters.
Well as things stand in Pool D, France lead the way with nine points from their opening two games. Ireland are four points further back, albeit having played a game less at the moment, while Italy provide the challenge from the pack. It is all going pretty much as expected at this stage, so not surprises as of yet.
That showdown between Ireland and France next month in the concluding fixture of this pool is going to be quite something as the two sides battle it out for top spot, but before then there is still work to be done - including picking up a win here this evening.
Well Wembley is now pretty much full, with a large Irish contingent making the short trip across the Channel for this Pool D encounter. Among those in the crowd for us this evening is Callum Mulvihill, who will be providing updates throughout the contest.
The views of Callum Mulvihill, who is at Wembley for us this evening:
"Joe Schmidt's side must be thinking this is a great opportunity to claim an extra point. There are plenty of players with points to prove after changes were made and they head into this game as firm favourites to record an emphatic win.
"It really is all about discipline for Romania, who will quickly be on the back foot if they allow mistakes to creep into their game early on. They certainly have the tools to trouble Ireland, but it will come down to whether they can put it together for 80 minutes."
As the anthems are passionately belted around Wembley, there is some time for me to point you in the direction of a nice little competition we are running:
KICKOFF! We are up and running at Wembley, which is once again sold out for this match. We could have another record attendance on our hands.
Plenty of early tackling from Romania, as expected, which is likely to leave them fatigued the more this one goes on. No way through for Ireland just yet, but very good ball retention from the men in green.
I don't think Romania have touched the ball in these last two minutes - it has been all Ireland! Schmidt's men make good ground, but the Oaks tackle hard to keep their opponents at bay.
Romania enjoying more of the ball now - just! Already they have made 41 tackles, but it is so far so good. Gal's grubber kick is rather poor, though, ending what could have been a rare attacking move
PENALTY! IRELAND 3-0 ROMANIA (MADIGAN)
No try for Ireland in these opening eight minutes, but at least they are off the mark. Macovei left his feet at the ruck to pave the way for the penalty, which the Shamrock gladly made the most of.
PENALTY! IRELAND 3-3 ROMANIA (CALAFETEANU)
Payne doesn't roll out of the tackle when up against Fercu, gifting Romania a chance to level up against the run of play. Scrum-half Calafeteanu boots over from just outside the 22.
Romania looking far more settled now compared to the opening 10 minutes, coming out of their shell a little and actually asking some questions of Ireland. That opens up space up the other end, however, which the green army will look to capitalise on.
TRY RULED OUT!
Desperately unlucky from Zebo, who was certain he had crossed over for Ireland's first try. Just as Romania were getting bodies forward, Ireland hit them hard, with Zebo using his pace to burst clear. He opted to kick the ball ahead and race onto it, but replays show that he was a matter of millimetres in touch when doing so.
PENALTY! IRELAND 6-3 ROMANIA (MADIGAN)
Ireland sweep the ball across the field and, while they are still unable to find a way through, they do earn a penalty which Madigan slots over.
CONVERTED TRY! IRELAND 13-3 ROMANIA (BOWE)
Well Zebo was denied a few minutes ago, but the TMO adjudges that this one is perfectly legitimate. It was a textbook try for the Irish; Earls claiming a high kick and spinning inside, before it was worked to Bowe who got himself over the line right in the corner. Madigan successfully adds the extras.
MATCH ACTION! Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan helps the ball on in the early stages of the Pool D encounter
© Getty Images
Fercu kicks and chases down his own kick, before it is worked out to Kinikinilau. An overlap on the right was overlooked, however, as another promising Romania move breaks down.
Ireland boot into touch and win the resulting lineout, but there is some relief for Romania as an obstruction kills off any opposition momentum. The Oaks will be happy enough with their start, yet they have put in a load of work already and will only tire.
Let's get some more from Wembley-based reporter Callum Mulvihill:
"Romania have stuck to their tasks well and were hard in the tackle early on, but Ireland have been the sharper of the two sides from the first whistle and fully deserve their lead.
"Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and Simon Zebo have all looked capable of causing problems when Ireland step up the tempo. Unfortunately for Romania, they have been unable to enjoy similar success at the other end."
TRY! IRELAND 18-3 ROMANIA (EARLS)
Superb work from Zebo to help create Ireland's second try, looping a pass for Earls to latch on to and dive over in the corner. Fantastic pass. Madigan fails from the follow-up, however, finding the near post with his kick from the left touchline.
Ireland now have a couple of scores to show for their work inside the opening 30 minutes of this game, then, which has been fully deserved on the basis of things so far. A bonus point should not be too difficult, you feel.
Ireland get knocked back by their opponents as we enter phase 12. Worryingly, Healy is receiving some treatment at the moment, but it appears as though he simply needs a contact lens replaced.
Looking at the stats, Romania made 60 tries in the opening quarter of this match. They held Ireland off for a while, but it has been simple enough for the Shamrock since then. Respectable is one way of describing the scoreline as we approach the break.
Madigan opts to go for touch yet again after Ireland were awarded a penalty. The lineout comes to little in the end, and Romania turn over possession. Schmidt will not be too pleased with the Oaks' counter-ruck.
One more try could be on the cards for Ireland as we enter the final couple of minutes of this half. The pressure is slowly building but Romania are hanging on in there.
HALF TIME: IRELAND 18-3 ROMANIA
That second half just seemed to fizzle out a little, with not a great deal happening between Earls' try and the referee's whistle. Ireland will be happy enough with the way things have gone, but they must up things a little more and improve their accuracy following the restart.
We have heard from Callum Mulvihill a few times already before and during the match, so now check out his half-time report from Wembley by
clicking here.
In terms of the first-half action, a penalty apiece saw the sides locked at three points apiece with 16 minutes on the clock, despite Ireland's domination. Zebo was unlucky to see a try ruled out, but a second Madigan penalty and a score from Bowe put the boys in green well on their way.
Earls then gave his side some breathing space when collecting a superb Zebo pass and crossing over in the corner, yet Joe Schmidt will still be targeting more from his side following the restart - not least two more tries!
Before the teams re-emerge for the second half, let's check in with Callum Mulvihill once more:
"Joe Schmidt should be pretty happy. The target is, of course, the extra point and the performance has been pretty good. A few mishandles have prevented Ireland from being even more comfortable at the break, but they have threatened on a regular basis, with Zebo a nuisance the Romanians are struggling to deal with at Wembley. Romania have certainly lost the battle for territory."
MATCH ACTION! Simon Zebo crosses over for Ireland, only for his score to be ruled out by TMO
© Getty Images
The players are back out on the field, so let's get to it...
RESTART! We are back underway at Wembley in front of a confirmed record World Cup crowd of 89,267.
Calafeteanu kicks well to touch and allows Romania an opportunity to build something. It is turned over well by the Irish, however, as both sides try to find their rhythm in these early stages.
CONVERTED TRY! IRELAND 25-3 ROMANIA (EARLS)
Ireland win lineout number 11 of the evening, before a driving maul takes them within 10 metres of the try-line. From there they pounce, with Reddan's grubber being collected by Earls in the left-hand corner for his second of the match. Madigan makes no mistake on this occasion to add two more points.
For just the third time all game, Romania make it into Ireland's 22. The Shamrock turn the ball over in phase nine to mount another move, and normal service has been resumed all of a sudden.
The attendance has just been read out to the crowd, which is met with great applause. On the pitch, Earls has picked up a head injury and may have to be replaced.
Earls does indeed trudge off to be replaced by Kearney; Zebo shoved onto the wing.
Ireland's defence remains solid as an exchange of kicks comes to nothing. We now have a Mexican Wave inside Wembley - never a good sign!
All very scrappy at the moment, with Ireland not being able to find any sort of rhythm. But Kearney superbly closes down Apsotol's clearance to provide his side with a little boost. Still no bonus point, remember.
Earls is now back on after that quick head injury assessment. Ireland just need to find some momentum now as we head into the final 25 minutes, because their supporters haven't had a great deal to shout about since that third try.
Romania's player inevitably tiring, but Ireland are looking a bit fatigued as well. Another batch of changes have been made, which has only disrupted the flow once more.
Ionita gets his timing all wrong, clattering into Jackson with a high challenge. The referee goes to TMO, but it is too tough to call whether the player's feet left the ground. Penalty for Ireland, but Ionita escapes further punishment.
SIN BIN! Cave carries the ball and comes within touching distance of the whitewash, but he is not able to stretch over. Ireland work it out to the right but the move breaks down, so the referee brings play back for Gal's earlier offside infringement. The inside centre is shown a yellow as a result.
CONVERTED TRY! IRELAND 32-3 ROMANIA (BOWE)
Bowe sends out a message to his boss by bagging a second of the evening. The man advantage has already been put to good use, as Jackson goes wide for his teammate to touch down as simple as you like out on the right. Madigan extends the lead further from the boot.
Bonus point in the bag: Job done. Here is Earls celebrating his earlier try, which put Ireland well on their way.
© Getty Images
TRY! IRELAND 37-3 ROMANIA (KEARNEY)
Ireland now running riot as they get themselves a fifth try. Zebo works himself some space and pops it inside for Kearney to join the party. Madigan's conversion attempt drifts wide of the sticks.
Ireland join Scotland in becoming the only sides to claim maximum points from their opening two fixtures. Zebo and Earls in particular have been superb today.
Carpo knocks the ball on as Romania aim to pull back a consolation try. Ireland have themselves a scrum in their own 22 as the Oaks continue to make changes to their tiring side.
Worrying news for Ireland, as Kearney hobbles off after picking up a knock in the build-up to that fifth try. Murray on for the final eight minutes or so.
CONVERTED TRY! IRELAND 44-3 ROMANIA (HENRY)
Ireland's driving maul is unstoppable from a Romania perspective, with Chris Henry just being pushed over the line for score number six. The extras are added and the Shamrock are now 41 points to the good.
Romania pushing really hard here for a late try of their own. They have a lineout deep in Ireland territory, and this is basically as good as things have got for them all evening.
CONVERTED TRY! IRELAND 44-10 ROMANIA (TONITA)
A try against France in their opener and now another against Ireland - small building blocks and all that! From that aforementioned lineout, it was worked to Tonita who just used Jackson to get himself over the line. Kinikinilau puts another couple of points on the board.
Bowe desperately close to a hat-trick, but Romania's super defensive work denies him. Bowe was favourite to cross over, yet the Oaks remained stubborn right to the close.
FULL TIME: IRELAND 44-10 ROMANIA
So a comfortable enough margin of victory for Ireland in the end, then, and it keeps them well on track to finishing top of Pool D. Credit to Romania for defending so stubbornly at times, but they did not have enough to hold their opponents off.
Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls helped themselves to a couple of scores apiece, while Rob Kearney and Chris Henry also crossed over in the final quarter of the contest. There was to be a late consolation for Romania, though, thanks to Ovidiu Tonita's 78th-minute try in front of a new record attendance at this showpiece tournament.
Well that brings a close to our coverage of today's Rugby World Cup action. We return on Thursday afternoon when Wales take on Fiji at the Millennium Stadium, before France and Canada collide later in the evening. Until then, thanks for joining!
