Ireland got their Rugby World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a comprehensive 82-8 victory over Romania in Bordeaux this evening.
The Irish team played the game in sweltering conditions and were made to sweat within the first 2 minutes when Romania, ranked 19th in the world, scored the opening try through halfback Gabriel Rupanu.
The Irish fans at the Stade de Bordeaux weren't expecting this start and understandably would have been shocked. However, that shock was brief.
Ireland went on to score 12 tries in the opening game. Tries from Jamison Gibson-Park, Hugo Keenan, Tadhg Beirne (2), Aki (2), Sexton (2), Rob Herring, Peter O'Mahony (2), and Joe McCarthy ensured that Ireland got off to a winning start in Bordeaux.
In the first half, Sexton’s poor grubber kick was intercepted by Hinckley Vaovasa, giving half-back partner Rupanu a chance to touch down in the opening moments.
Ireland swiftly recovered from the sloppy opening moments to assert their authority, though. Gibson-Park benefited from slick interplay involving Sexton, Aki, and Garry Ringrose to dive over before Keenan crossed under the posts, and flanker Tadhg Beirne touched down wide on the left moments later.
Aki got in on the act near the break, and Sexton would also touch down moments later.
Ireland's Rugby World Cup campaign is up and running. They registered their biggest points total in a World Cup game, scoring 12 tries in a 82 points to 8 win over Romania in their Pool B opener | Read more: https://t.co/WpOiKDksT0 pic.twitter.com/HjwFAcSMr3
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 9, 2023
The score at the break was 33-8, and the contest was heading towards a romp. Ireland had the bonus point in the bag with the second half still to play.
The Irish team could have afforded to rest and take their foot off the gas because of the scoreline, the manner of play, and their future pool opponents, but that was not the case.
Ireland's players were well aware of the need to produce a 'statement victory' in their opening game, and the desire was evident in Bordeaux.
The Grand Slam champions added further scores to the tally when Rob Herring and Peter O'Mahony touched down before Sexton scored his second try of the day. The punishment would not stop for Romania. 22-year-old lock McCarthy ensured the onslaught would continue.
Soon after, the superb Aki and Beirne became the third and fourth men in green to claim a brace in the rout.
Ireland captain Sexton converted seven of his eight conversions and now sits just nine points shy of Ronan O'Gara's national record points tally of 1083.
Sexton was eventually replaced by Jack Crowley, and he added the final touches to one of the most one-sided contests ever.
The win for Ireland means that the Irish team stretches their record-winning run to 14 matches. It also means Ireland's 82-8 win was their biggest-ever World Cup score and margin of victory.
Speaking after the game, Ireland head coach Farrell praised the Irish team for their ruthless display in their opening game.
"Obviously, what happened at the start, you've got to dust yourself down and get back on point, which I thought we did pretty quickly," he told ITV.
"First half, we stopped our flow a bit with a lack of discipline and communication on linebreaks. We had a good chat about that at halftime, and I thought our flow, discipline, and calmness in the second half were pretty ruthless.
Ireland next meets Tonga in Nantes next Saturday, while Romania returns to Bordeaux against South Africa on Sunday, September 17.
Players of Ireland acknowledge the crowd after defeating Romania during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Ireland and Romania at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on September 09, 2023 in Bordeaux, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)