Ireland v Romania Prediction, Preview & Odds – Rugby World Cup

We have an Ireland v Romania prediction for you as we preview the world number one ranked side’s opening fixtures of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Ireland v Romania Match Info

When? 2.30 pm, Saturday, 9^th September

Where? Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

TV Channel? Virgin Media 1, ITV 1

Ireland v Romania Betting Odds

The odds makers make Ireland an absolute certainty for victory at 1/1000, Romania are 100/1 and the draw is 250/1.

The match handicap is Ireland -63 @ 10/11. Romania +63 is also 10/11 while the handicap draw (Ireland to win by exactly 63 points) is 18/1.

Ireland v Romania Preview

Ireland’s Form

Ireland enter the World Cup as the Number 1 ranked team in the world and expectations higher than ever before following their third ever Grand Slam win in the 2023 Six Nations. This was their first under Andy Farrell and they finished the job with a 29–16 victory over England in Dublin.

In a broader view of things, Ireland are inarguably in the midst of the most successful period in Irish Rugby history as they continue to tick off first times for the country. Before their victory against New Zealand in 2016 in Soldiers Field they had not beaten The All Blacks. But in their last eight fixtures against New Zealand, they have won five of their matches including a tour down in New Zealand last year.

Ireland’s first Rugby World Cup warm-up game ahead of this tournament was a 33-17 victory over Italy. This was then followed by a 29-10 win over England. However, their final warm-up game was only a slender 17-13 victory over Samoa which was a game they were expected to win comfortably.

Ireland’s World Cup Pedigree

Ireland have appeared at all nine Rugby World Cup since the competition’s inception in 1987. The country have qualified for the quarter-final on seven out of those nine occasions but have infamously never advanced past the quarter-final stage in those 7 attempts.

Ireland’s last appearance at the Rugby World Cup ended in familiar fashion with a quarter-final loss. This time it was at the hands of New Zealand who beat the Irish 46-14.

We took an in-depth look at Ireland’s Rugby World Cup odds and chances in a recent post which you can check out here.

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Romania’s Form

Romania qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup courtesy of a second-place finish in the Rugby Europe Championship. They finished sixteen points behind winners Georgia and a slender two points ahead of third place Portugal. This Romanian side are ranked 19th in the world.

Eugen Apjok has been in charge of this team since 2022 but has a tough job on his hands if they’re to win against a Tier 1 Nation for the first time since beating Italy in 2004. Their form coming into this tournament has not been the best. They lost 17-31 against the USA before being hammered 56-6 against Georgia and 57-7 against Italy.

Romania’s World Cup Pedigree

Romania will be making their ninth World Cup appearance in September. They have won six games in their history at the Rugby World Cup and are yet to advance past the pool stage of the competition.

Team News

Ireland Lineup

Expectations are high 🏆

Here's how the World #1s line up to face Romania in their opening match!#RWC2023 | @IrishRugby | #IREvROU pic.twitter.com/a6uuJhbKuO

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 7, 2023

Romania Lineup

🇹🇩🇮🇪 #Stejarii care vor înfrunta @IrishRugby în prima partidă de la Cupa Mondială de Rugby.

📍 Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
🗓️ 9 septembrie 🕐 16:30
📺 Digi Sport 1#RugbyRomania #RWC2023 #FortaBinelui pic.twitter.com/Lew104zOuL

— Rugby Romania (@RugbyRomania) September 7, 2023

Key Players To Watch

Johnny Sexton

Sexton (38) has hade an incredible career for Ireland. In his time in the Irish jersey he has scored scored over 1000 points along with winning everything there is to win for his country except that elusive World Cup.

The Leinster legend has been named in the starting fifteen for Ireland’s first game at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday and is expected to contribute to a cricket score-like victory.

It would certainly be a fairytale ending for Sexton if he could orchestrate a World Cup success in his final game for Ireland.

But is he Ireland’s best? We had our say in a recent post where we discussed Ireland’s greatest ever rugby player.

🇮🇪 17 years of blood, sweat and tears for club and country.

🏆 Johnny Sexton’s, and Ireland's, date with destiny is fast approaching.#RWC2023 | #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/NWl3snMGj8

— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) September 4, 2023

Cristi Chirică

The back row was named at Number 8 and Captain for Romania’s opener against Ireland. Chirică started playing rugby as a youth for a local Romanian club based in Bârlad.

In July 2015 he started his professional journey joining SuperLiga side CSM Baia Mare. Since making his international debut in a test match against Canada in November 2016 he has since been capped 29 times and has scored six tries. He currently plays his club rugby for Hyères in France.

Cristi Chirică, Romania🇷🇴

The Romanian captain is my one to watch for Romania at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

To see his highlights, click the link here: https://t.co/YFiQaMswkv pic.twitter.com/xZlRSRwKzl

— Andrew Forde (@andrewfrugby) August 22, 2023

Ireland v Romania Previous Results

2015: Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool D – Ireland 44-10 Romania

2005: Autumn Test – Ireland 43-12 Romania Lansdowne Road

2003: Rugby World Cup Pool A – Ireland 45-17 Romania, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

2002: Rugby World Cup Qualifier – Ireland 39-8 Romania, Thomond Park

2001: Summer Tour – Romania 3 -37 Ireland, Bucharest

1999: Rugby World Cup Pool E – Ireland 44-14 Romania, Lansdowne Road

1998: Rugby World Cup Qualifier – Ireland 53-35 Romania, Lansdowne Road

1993: Autumn Test – Ireland 25-3 Romania, Lansdowne Road

1986: Autumn Test – Ireland 60-0 Romania, Lansdowne Road

Ireland v Romania Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: Ireland 44-3 Romania

Ireland should win this one comfortably, but I don’t think it’ll be anywhere near the 63 points that the handicap suggests. I expect it will be a routine win and Sexton will go off early to keep him safe for the next game.

Best Bet: Winning Margin Ireland 41-45 points @ 17/2

Click Below For All Our Ireland v Romania Betting Odds

*Prices Subject To Fluctuation

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