Ireland will look to build on a strong start and reclaim top spot in Pool D when they take on Romania at Wembley Stadium.

Joe Schmidt’s side put two warm up defeats behind them by cruising to a comprehensive victory over Canada in the opening game of their campaign and they will be expecting to claim another bonus-point victory over the European minnows on Sunday.

IRELAND

Schimdt has made 12 changes to the starting line up that played Canada as Jamie Heaslip, Jared Payne and Keith Earls are the only players to retain their starting spot. Cian Healy is set to make his first international start since March, alongside Richardt Strauss and Nick White in the front row.

Chris Henry and Jordi Murphy start in the back row and Heaslip assumes the captaincy while Donnacha Ryan and Devin Toner take their places in the engine room. Eoin Reddan and Ian Madigan take over from Jonny Sexton and Conor Murrary, Sexton drops out of the squad while Murray and Paddy Jackson start on the bench.

Darren Cave starts in the centre alongside Ulster team mate Payne, while Tommy Bowe starts on the wing and Simon Zeebo takes over from Rob Kearney at full back.

Unlike their opponents, Ireland have had a week to rest and prepare for this match. However, Schmidt has opted to rest several key players ahead of crucial clashes with Italy and France. But the replacements know they cannot afford to be complacent against the Romanians after watching them dominate a second-string French side throughout the first half on Wednesday.

One to watch: Cian Healy

The Leinster man was a serious doubt for the tournament after undergoing neck surgery, but he overcame another injury to take his place in the World Cup squad and got a 20-minute run out in last Sunday’s rout.

He is now set to start and will be relishing the opportunity to go toe to toe with an immensely physical Romanian pack. In a match that could quickly become an arm wrestle, the Irish will turn to their most reliable source of front-foot ball and expect him to get them over the gain line with an array of explosive carries. He will also be eager to reassert his scrummaging prowess and against the powerful Romanian forwards who troubled France’s monstrous pack at the set piece.

ROMANIA

Lynn Howells has made eight changes to the side that were beaten 38-11 by France and has decided to field Romania’s most experienced test team of all time with 728 caps in the starting XV.

Michael Wiringi will make his World Cup debut at fly half and Mihai Macovei is set to lead the side from the back row. Mihaita Lazar and Otar Turashvili come into the front row to join former Bath and London Welsh prop Paulica Ion.

Florin Surugiu makes way for Valentin Calafeteanu at scrum half and Florin Vlaicu is replaced by Csaba Gal at inside centre. Ovidiu Tonita takes over from Johannes van Heerden in the engine room and Adrian Apostol switches wings as Ionut Botezatu takes the no. 11 shirt.

The Tier Two team fought for everything on the floor, won nine turnovers and prevented France from stringing together a series of phases in the first 40 minutes, so the Irish forwards know they face a bruising battle at the breakdown.

One to watch: Catalin Fercu

The only player in the Romania squad who plies his trade in the Aviva Premiership has only made a handful of appearances for Saracens but is an experienced international.

He will be spared Sexton’s high ball barrage but will be tested by the meticulous boot of Madigan. However, the full back is very comfortable under the high ball and has the ability to carve through the Irish defence with an impressive turn of pace. He is also just one try away from becoming Romania’s all time record try scorer.

PREDICTION

This will not be as easy as Ireland’s opening encounter but the Romanias were clearly out on their feet after 60 minutes against France and will have had just three full days off to recover before they take on a fresh-legged and determined Irish outfit.

Ireland’s solid set piece and ability at the breakdown should prove enough to see them past the battling minnows. And once exhaustion and cramp start to take their toll on the underdogs, Ireland will look to pile on the points and bag a bonus point. Ireland by 30.

By Nathan Hyde (@NathanHyde2)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images