Is Ireland vs Romania on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup
Ireland will kick off their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania.
It will be important for Ireland to get off to a good start against the lowest-ranked team in their pool, which also includes reigning champions South Africa.
Ahead of the tournament Ireland were on the back of a 13-Test winning run stretching back to last summer’s series against the All Blacks.
They will also be further boosted by an impressive summer series, beating Italy and Samoa as well as a destructive 29-10 win over England, while Romania are ranked 19th in the world.
Here’s everything you need to know, plus get all the Rugby World Cup odds here.
When is Ireland v Romania?
Ireland will take on Romania at 2.30 pm on Saturday 9 September at the Stade de Bordeaux.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the Rugby World Cup on ITV 1 or streaming service ITV X with coverage starting at 2pm BST.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch Ireland vs Romania then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get great deals on the best VPNs in the market.
Team news:
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will lead the side but flanker Josh van der Flier has been left out of the side as coach Andy Farrell seeks to hit the ground running. After facing Romania and Tonga, the Irish take on South Africa and Scotland in the fixtures that will likely decide the outcome of the group and Farrell has chosen to keep World Player of the Year Van der Flier in reserve for the challenges ahead.
Instead, Peter O’Mahony has been named at openside flanker and Tadhg Beirne at blindside in a team bristling with experience, with some added youthful exuberance in the shape of 22-year-old Leinster lock Joe McCarthy. Flying winger Mack Hansen is also not in the team, with the Irish coaching team acting coyly as to the reasons why.
New Zealand-born Hinckley Vaovasa will start at fly half for Romania as No 8 Cristian Chirica wears the captain’s armband. Coach Eugen Apjok has made three changes to his starting XV from the side that lost 57-7 to Italy in their final warm-up fixture last month, as well as a host of positional adjustments to the back line.
Ireland team: 15. Hugo Keenan; 14. Keith Earls, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Bundee Aki, 11. James Lowe; 10. Johnny Sexton (captain), 9. Jamison Gibson-Park; 1. Andrew Porter, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Tadhg Furlong, 4. Joe McCarthy, 5. James Ryan, 6. Tadhg Beirne, 7. Peter O’Mahony, 8. Caelan Doris
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Jeremy Loughman, 18. Tom O’Toole, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Josh Van der Flier, 21. Conor Murray, 22. Jack Crowley, 23. Robbie Henshaw.
Romania team: 15. Marius Simionescu; 14. Nicolas Onutu, 13. Fonovai Tangimana, 12. Jason Tomane, 11. Tevita Manumua; 10. Hinckley Vaovasa, 9. Gabriel Rupanu; 1. Iulian Hartig, 2. Ovidiu Cojocaru, 3. Alexandru Gordas, 4. Adrian Motoc, 5. Stefan Iancu, 6. Florian Rosu, 7. Vlad Neculau, 8. Cristian Chirica (captain).
Replacements: 16. Florin Bardasu, 17. Alexandru Savin, 18. Gheorghe Gajion, 19. Marius Iftimiciuc, 20. Dragos Ser, 21. Alin Conache, 22. Tudor Boldor, 23. Taylor Gontineac.
Odds
Ireland 1/1000
Draw 66/1
Romania 100/1
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Prediction
It will be a straightforward and routine victory for the side ranked number one in the world. Ireland 65-3 Romania
