Ireland came through their opening international of the season with a comfortable 39-8 victory over Romania at a well attended Thomond Park, having established a 29 point lead by half-time.
Ireland, captained in the absence of Keith Wood, by Anthony Foley, came through their opening international of the season with a comfortable 39-8 victory over Romania at a well attended Thomond Park, having established a 29 point lead by half-time.
They scored four tries in that first period having opened the scoring with a try from John Hayes in the 5th minute.Ronan O’Gara missed that conversion but was on the mark nine minutes later with a penalty and also added the points to Keith Gleeson’s try moments later. O’Gara kicked another penalty in the 19th minute before departing with a blood injury and while he was receiving attention, David Humphreys converted a penalty try awarded when Girvan Dempsey was high-tackled.
Romanian Out-half Ionut Tofan opened the visitors account with a 27th minute penalty but Ireland responded when O’Gara and Kevin Maggs combined to send Brian O’Driscoll in under the posts.
Romania started the second half well and it needed a Peter Stringer ankle tap to deny Romanian flanker Alexandru Manta. However their persistence paid off in the 4th minute when centre Valentin Maftei skipped through loose Irish defence.
Ireland raised the siege in punishing fashion when a trademark O’Gara cross-field kick was picked by replacement Rob Henderson who scored with ease.
Ireland. G Dempsey; J Kelly, B O’Driscoll (R Henderson 4o min), K Maggs, D Hickie; R O’Gara (D Humphreys 23 min.temp; 80 min), P Stringer (G Easterby 70 min); R Corrigan, S Byrne, J Hayes; G Longwell, M O’Kelly; S Easterby (V Costello 65 min), K Gleeson, A Foley (L Cullen).
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