LIVE: Ireland v Romania, Rugby World Cup

Wherever and whenever the journey ends, it starts here.

Ireland begin their 2src23 Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania on a sweltering afternoon in Bordeaux.

The pre-match markets make Ireland favourites to beat Pool B’s weakest side by somewhere in the region of 6src+ points, but Andy Farrell is leaving nothing up to chance, naming a virtually full-strength side for the tournament opener.

And yes, that means Johnny Sexton back on a rugby pitch and back in the number 1src jersey for the first time in six months.

Kick-off is at 2.3srcpm. We’ll have the latest team news in a moment…

LATE CHANGE: The 42′s Murray Kinsella is the Stade de Bordeaux and he has news of a late change to the Irish 23.

Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw has been ruled out of his side’s World Cup opener against Romania in Bordeaux.

The Leinster man had been named on the Irish bench in the number 23 shirt but he has now been withdrawn. Ireland say the move is “precautionary.”

Connacht wing Mack Hansen comes into the Irish matchday 23 in place of Henshaw.

TEAM NEWS: In case you missed it when it was named on Thursday, here’s that Ireland team.

What a day for Joe McCarthy who makes just his second senior Ireland start!

Ireland

• 15. Hugo Keenan
• 14. Keith Earls
• 13. Garry Ringrose
• 12. Bundee Aki
• 11. James Lowe
• 1src. 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. Rónan Kelleher
• 17. Jeremy Loughman
• 18. Tom O’Toole
• 19. Iain Henderson
• 2src. Josh van der Flier
• 21. Conor Murray
• 22. Jack Crowley
• 23. Mack Hansen

TEAM NEWS: Here’s how Romania will line out.

Romania

• 15. Marius Simionescu
• 14. Nicholas Onutu
• 13. Jason Tomane
• 12. Fonovai Tangimana
• 11. Tevita Manumua
• 1src. 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

Replacements:

• 16. Florin Bardasu
• 17. Alexandru Savin
• 18. Gheorghe Gajion
• 19. Marius Iftimiciuc
• 2src. Dragos Ser
• 21. Alin Conache
• 22. Tudor Boldor
• 23. Taylor Gontineac

The teams are on the pitch in the Stade de Bordeaux and — in keeping with last night’s opening match — we’ve just had the choral arrangement of Ireland’s Call.

It’s different anyway, that’s for sure.

KICK OFF: Here we go! Johnny Sexton gets us underway in Bordeaux.

Nika Amashukeli is the match referee.

TRY FOR ROMANIA! Ireland src-5 Romania (Rupanu, 2′)

What a start for Romania! The third-lowest ranked side at the World Cup lead the world’s top-ranked side after just two minutes.

Keith Earls can’t get to a kick down the wing quickly enough, Romania out-half Hinckley Vaovasa gathers, and pops it back inside to his out-half Gabriel Rupanu to run it in under the posts.

Rupanu’s conversion should a simple one, but he somehow drags it wide.

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 9, 2src23

TRY FOR IRELAND! Ireland 7-5 Romania (Gibson-Park, 5′)

If you’re going to go behind to a shock early try, there’s only one way to respond – and Ireland strike back immediately.

Jason Tomane — brother of former Leinster man Joe — misses a tackle, Garry Ringrose dances through, and Jamison Gibson-Park is right there on his shoulder to take the pass and run in the try unopposed.

Sexton converts. Ireland lead. And breathe.

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 9, 2src23

TRY FOR IRELAND! Ireland 14-5 Romania (Keenan, 12′)

Just like Jamison Gibson-Park before him, Hugo Keenan marks his World Cup debut with a try — and it comes off the back some brilliantly accurately Irish attack play in the Romania 22. Peter O’Mahony make a lovely tip-on pass, James Ryan moves it on just as quickly, and Keenan squirms through the covering tackle to force his way over the line.

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 9, 2src23

TRY FOR IRELAND! Ireland 19-5 Romania (Beirne, 17′)

Ireland are in again — and it’s Tadhg Beirne on the wing who scores! The build-up starts and finishes with James Lowe. He spots space in behind the Romanian line and kicks through. Keith Earls very nearly scoops it up to score, only for the ball to get caught under his studs, but Hugo Keenan is hot on his heels to secure possession. Ireland recycle patiently, and Lowe loops the final pass out to Beirne who is unmarked on the wing to score.

Sexton’s conversion attempt is from right in the corner, and he has his first miss of the day.

— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 9, 2src