Ireland v Romania: Where to watch Rugby World Cup opener, kick off time, team news, and betting odds

Ireland take on Romania this weekend for their opening game in the Rugby World Cup.

It has been a long-build up for Ireland which saw a pre-season of a Summer, as the reigning Grand-Slam champions begin their World Cup journey against the European minnows. There's good news for Ireland as captain Johnny Sexton is named to start the match along with Joe McCarthy.

It's the first time Sexton has played for Ireland since March when he suffered a groin injury. The 38-year-old Ireland skipper was suspended for all three of Ireland's World Cup warm-up Tests in August due to a misconduct charge following the Champions Cup final.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell will certainly be eager to give the team a positive note as they begin their Rugby World Cup. Here's everything you know from kick off time, where to watch, team news, and betting odds.

When is kick off and where is the game being played?

Ireland's match against Romania will take place on Saturday, 9 September in the Stade de Bordeaux in France. Kick-off time is 2.30pm Irish time, 3.30pm local time.

What tv channels are showing the game live?

Ireland fans can watch the match as it unfolds live on Virgin Media and ITV from 2.30pm on Saturday.

How can I stream the game?

For those who prefer to stream the game, it is available on the Virgin Media Player on the day.

Team News

Head Coach Andy Farrell named his Ireland Match Day Squad on Thursday for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opener against Romania at Stade de Bordeaux.

CaptainJonathan Sexton is back in action for the Ireland starting team to lead the side against Romania, as Farrell’s men get their Pool B campaign underway in Bordeaux. Hugo Keenan, Keith Earls and James Lowe are named in the back three, with Garry Ringrose and Bundee Aki paired in the Ireland midfield. Sexton captains the team as he resumes his half-back pairing with scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.

In the pack, there's Andrew Porter, Rob Herring and Tadhg Furlong starting in the front row, with Joe McCarthy partnering James Ryan in the second row.

Tadhg Beirne is also named at blindside flanker for the Ireland team, with Peter O’Mahony at openside and Caelan Doris at number eight.

Ireland team:

15. Hugo Keenan (Leinster/UCD)(31)

14. Keith Earls (Munster/Young Munster)(100)

13. Garry Ringrose (Leinster/UCD)(52)

12. Bundee Aki (Connacht/Galwegians)(47)

11. James Lowe (Leinster)(21)

10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(captain)(113)

9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster)(26)

1. Andrew Porter (Leinster/UCD)(54)

2. Rob Herring (Ulster/Ballynahinch)(37)

3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster/Clontarf)(67)

4. Joe McCarthy (Leinster/Dublin University)(3)

5. James Ryan (Leinster/UCD)(55)

6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster/Lansdowne)(41)

7. Peter O’Mahony (Munster/Cork Constitution)(96)

8. Caelan Doris (Leinster/St Mary’s College)(31)

Replacements:

16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster/Lansdowne)(21)17. Jeremy Loughman (Munster/Garryowen)(3)

18. Tom O’Toole (Ulster/Ballynahinch)(11)

19. Iain Henderson (Ulster/Academy)(74)20. Josh van der Flier (Leinster/UCD)(52)21. Conor Murray (Munster/Garryowen)(107)22. Jack Crowley (Munster/Cork Constitution)(6)

23. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster/Buccaneers)(65)

Betting Odds

The latest betting odds for the Ireland v Romania game are:

Ireland - 1/1000

Draw - 200/1

Romania 100/1

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