Ireland To Face Romania In Rugby World Cup Pool
On the day that Ireland were crowned RBS 6 Nations champions, their final Pool D opponents at the 2015 Rugby World Cup were also confirmed. Romania will join the pool as the Europe 2 qualifiers.
Georgia beat Romania 22-9 in Tbilisi on Saturday to win the FIRA-AER European Nations Cup Division 1A title, with the Georgians progressing to the 2015 Rugby World Cup as the Europe 1 qualifiers.
The Lelos’ reward is a place in Pool C alongside champions New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and the yet-to-be-determined Africa 1 qualifiers.
Runners-up Romania will join Pool D as the Europe 2 qualifiers where they will face reigning Six Nations champions Ireland, France, Italy and Canada.
Ireland have beaten three of their England 2015 opponents in the past nine months, following up their summer tour victory over Canada (40-14) with Six Nations triumphs against Italy (46-7) and France (22-20).
Romania head coach Lynn Howells said: “Georgia were the better team, they deserved their win and as the Romanian coach I am a little disappointed with how my team played (today).
“The whole object of the European Nations Cup for us was to qualify for the Rugby World Cup and we achieved that so I am happy.
“Our World Cup group is probably not much tougher than Georgia’s, so we still have the chance to do well in England next year.”
Ireland have faced Romania previously in Rugby World Cup fare, claiming a 44-14 win in a 1999 pool fixture and beating them 45-17 in Australia four years later.
Joe Schmidt’s men will take on the Romanians at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, September 27 in their second pool match.
Ireland v Romania: IRFU Stat Zone
IRELAND’S 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP POOL D FIXTURES:
Saturday, September 19 – IRELAND v Canada, Millennium Stadium, 2.30pm
Sunday, September 27 – IRELAND v Romania, Wembley Stadium, 5pm
Sunday, October 4 – IRELAND v Italy, Olympic Stadium, 5pm
Sunday, October 11 – IRELAND v France, Millennium Stadium, 5pm
Related Links –
2015 Rugby World Cup Ticket Information
Ireland’s Rugby World Cup Archive Video
RWC 2011 Archive: Ireland v Australia Video