Ireland, the world’s top ranked team, begins its quest for a first World Cup triumph against the presumed Group B makeweights Romania during the first full day of action at the 2023 rugby union World Cup.
The tournament enjoyed a spectacular launch on Friday night with the Group A clash between the hosts France and three-time champions New Zealand.
In front of 80,000 frenzied fans at the Stade de France, the local heros absorbed the shock of conceding a second-minute try to overpower and exhaust their adversarires 27-13.
The result is likely to determine the one-two finish in Group A and potentially who Irleland will face should they progress from Group B .
However, before Ireland kick off their camapign at the Matmut Atlantique just outside Bordeaux, in the early afternoon in Saint-Etienne, Italy and Namibia play their opening game in Group A.
Ireland’s players have been bracketed among the favourites for the Webb Ellis trophy on the back of a 13-match unbeaten streak since July 2022.
Irish surge
The run has catapulted them to the top of the rankings and furnished them with the 2023 European Six Nations title.
“It’s a big challenge for us in the toughest pool,” said Romania’s assistant coach Valentin Ursache.
England, who were beaten in the final in 2019, have plummeted since that disappointment.
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