This match from Pool A features two teams with differing ambitions for RWC 2003.
Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan looked ahead to his team’s chances in what is widely regarded as the hardest pool in the Tournament and said, “To be in such a tough pool may be a good thing because it will certainly make us concentrate immediately and if we win we will know we worked well and played well.”
Ireland, considered a strong outside chance for the RWC, will be looking for a good result in this match with points at a premium in a pool where Australia, Argentina and the Irish are all aiming for one of the two spots available for the quarter finals.
Romanian coach Bernard Charreyre has made his side’s intentions clear as they look to spoil Ireland’s party. “We will be looking to trouble Ireland,” Charreyre said.
Element of surprise
After undergoing a full reconstruction under Charreyre, the Romanian side will be looking to surprise their opponents with their strong and elusive three quarters. Indeed the coach asked them to be attacking and audacious when on the field.
Facing the Romanians will be a powerful Irish team, currently ranked third in the IRB world standings, led by their legendary captain Keith Wood.
Normally, such a standing would mean that the side hardly has reason to fear the Romanians but their coach Eddie O’Sullivan has taken the threats of his opposition very seriously.
Strongest side
In a pool where there is no margin for error O'Sullivan has named his strongest available side which includes one of the best centre pairings of the RWC in Kevin Maggs and Brian O’Driscoll.
Ireland were victorious in the team’s last confrontation running out 39-8 winners at Thomond Park in Limerick on 7 September 2002. In their only previous meeting at a RWC, the Irish prevailed at Lansdowne Road in 1999, 44 –14.
Ireland :
15. Girvan Dempsey ; 14. Shane Horgan ; 13. Brian O’Driscoll ; 12. Kevin Maggs ; 11. Denis Hickie ; 10. David Humphreys ; 9. Peter Stringer ; 8. Anthony Foley ; 7. Keith Gleeson ; 6. Victor Costello ; 5. Paul O’Connell ; 4. Malcolm O’Kelly ; 3. Reggie Corrigan ; 2. Keith Wood ; 1. Marcus Horan.
Replacements : 16. Shane Byrne ; 17. John Hayes ; 18. Doncha O’Callaghan ; 19. Alan Quinlan ; 20. Guy Easterby ; 21. Ronan O’Gara ; 22. John Kelly.
Romania :
15. Danut Dumbrava Danut; 14. Cristian Sauan; 13. Valentin Mattei; 12. Romeo Gontineac; 11. Gabriel Brezoianu; 10. Ionut Tofau; 9. Lucian Sirbu; 8. Cristian Petre 7. Ovidiu Tonita; 6. George Chiriac; 5. Augustin Petrichei; 4. Sorin Socol; 3. Marcel Socacicu; 2. Razyan Mavrodin; 1. Petru Balan.
Replacements : 16. Petrisor Toderasc; 17. Cezar Popescu; 18. Marian Tudori; 19. Marius Nicolai; 20 Iulian Andrei; 21. Mihai Vioreanu; 22. Ioan Teodorescu.