Ireland vs Romania, Saturday 9th September 14:30
Six Nations champions Ireland are seeking to start the 2023 World Cup with a bang and minnows Romania could be in line for a clobbering on Saturday afternoon.
Ireland begin the tournament at the top of the world rankings amid a record 13-match winning run, and are heavy favourites in the Rugby World Cup Pool B opener against a side ranked 19th in the world.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named a strong starting XV for the curtain raiser, albeit world player of the year Josh van der Flier begins on the bench, while wing Mack Hansen has the weekend off, despite being available.
Fly-half Johnny Sexton is back from a three-match ban to captain Ireland, while rookie lock Joe McCarthy is among the six starting World Cup debutants.
Sexton will partner Leinster team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park in a strong XV packed with first-choice stars.
Rob Herring has been given the nod at hooker ahead of Ronan Kelleher in the absence of the injured Dan Sheehan.
Ireland’s set piece is a great weapon and that puts Herring in line to be the first man to cross the line.
The other strong candidates for the first score are Ireland winger James Lowe and flank Taidgh Beirne who is a poacher of note in the opposition 22.
Romania’s main attacking threat could come from their former Tonga Sevens star Tevita Manumua.
French-born winger Nicolas Onutu will also be a big threat if Romania can get some front-foot ball.
The Oaks are a reasonably solid outfit up front, and expectations that Ireland will put 40-50 points on them might be out of range.
There is excellent value in backing Ireland to win by 21-30 points.If you insist on living dangerously and backing The Oaks, you would have to fancy it would need to be a low-scoring contest and the Romania and under 70.5 looks a fair offering.
