Joe Schmidt makes 12 Ireland changes for Romania match

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has made 12 changes to his side for their second Pool D fixture against Romania at the Rugby World Cup.

With tougher fixtures against France and Italy to finish the group, Schmidt has rested some key names, including captain Paul O'Connell. for Sunday's match at Wembley.

Robbie Henshaw is out with a hamstring injury, but Schmidt is confident the Connacht centre will be ready to face Italy on October 4.

The XV that has been chosen is the oldest starting lineup in World Cup history, with 34-year-old Eoin Reddan getting the nod at scrum-half.

Jamie Heaslip, who takes the captain's armband in O'Connell's absence, and backs Keith Earls and Jared Payne are the only players to keep their place in the side.

Ireland started their tournament with a 50-7 win over Canada in Cardiff on Saturday.

Ireland: Healy, Strauss, White; Ryan, Toner; Murphy, Henry; Heaslip; Reddan, Madigan, Earls, Cave, Payne, Bowe, Zebo Replacements: Cronin, McGrath, Furlong, O'Connell, O'Brien, Murray, Jackson, Kearney