September 25, 2015
Rugby World Cup Lineups: Ireland v Romania
Doug Coil
September 27, 2015
Ireland v Romania, Pool D, Wembley Stadium, London, Kickoff 16:45 – 11:45am ET
Referee: Craig Joubert; Assistant Referee: Romain Poite, Leighton Hodges; TV Match Official: Shaun Veldsman
Ireland fields their oldest starting XV in Rugby World Cup history. Their players will average almost 30 years. Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss, lock Devin Toner, back-row Jordi Murphy and centre Darren Cave all make their initial Rugby World Cup debuts. Tadhg Furlong will also if used off the bench.
Jamie Heaslip will captain the match and be the only forward from the win against Canada. Keith Earls and Jared Payne remain for the backs.
Romania made 8 changes from their loss to France. Fly-half Michael Wiringi,will make his RWC debut.Romania will field their most experienced test team of all-time, with 728 caps in their starting XV. Catalin Fercu remains one try from being Romania’s all-time leader. He has 28 tries.
Ireland Ranked 5th: HC Joe Schmidt Starters: 1. Cian Healy 2. Richardt Strauss 3. Nathan White 4. Donnacha Ryan 5. Devin Toner 6. Jordi Murphy 7. Chris Henry 8. Jamie Heaslip (c) 9. Eoin Reddan 10. Ian Madigan 11. Keith Earls 12. Darren Cave 13. Jared Payne 14. Tommy Bowe 15. Simon Zebo Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin (H) 17. Jack McGrath (P) 18. Tadhg Furlong (P) 19. Paul O’Connell (L) 20. Sean O’Brien (F) 21. Conor Murray (SH) 22. Paddy Jackson (FH) 23. Rob Kearney (FB)
Romaina Ranked 17th: HC Lynn Howells Starters: 1. Andrei Ursache 2. Andrei Radoi 3. Paulica Ion 4. Valentin Poparlan 5. Ovidiu Tonita 6. Viorel Lucaci 7. Mihai Macovei (c) 8. Daniel Carpo 9. Valentin Calafeteanu 10. Michael Wiringi 11. Ionut Botezatu 12. Csaba Gal 13. Paula Kinikinilau 14. Adrian Apostol 15. Catalin Fercu Replacements: 16. Otar Turashvili (H) 17. Mihaita Lazar (P) 18. Alexandru Tarus (P) 19. Johannes van Heerden (L) 20. Stelian Burcea (F) 21. Florin Surugiu (SH) 22. Florin Ionita (W) 23. Florin Vlaicu (C)
