Ireland’s Jonathan Sexton smiles throughout a coaching session on the Stade de la Vallee du Cher in Tours, France
(AFP by way of Getty Images)
Ireland start their Rugby World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to Romania with the return of Johnny Sexton.
The veteran fly half fingers head coach Andy Farrell a serious enhance because the world’s No 1-ranked group look to beat a lopsided draw and a tough pool to safe glory in France.
Unbeaten in 2023, the Irish will hope to go not less than one additional than Japan 2019, when a crushing loss to New Zealand ended their hopes within the quarter-finals. But with the All Blacks and hosts France in Pool A, they must do it the arduous method ought to they themselves advance from Pool B.
Follow dwell rating updates, evaluation and response from the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux beneath. Get all of the Rugby World Cup odds and the most recent ideas and odds right here.
Johnny Sexton returns as Ireland verify two key absentees for World Cup line-up to face Romania
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton will make his first aggressive look in virtually six months after being chosen to start out Saturday’s Rugby World Cup conflict with Romania.
Fly-half Sexton missed his nation’s three warm-up matches by suspension, having not performed since injuring a groin as Ireland clinched the Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam on March 18.
The 38-year-old, who will retire after the match, will accomplice Leinster team-mate Jamison Gibson-Park on his long-awaited comeback in Bordeaux.
Jack Rathborn8 September 2023 09:33
Rugby World Cup 2023 TV schedule: Channels, instances and methods to watch each fixture on-line
The 2023 Rugby World Cup is underway and a lop-sided draw means swimming pools A and B are stacked with a lot of the world’s heavyweight nations and sees South Africa, Ireland and Scotland all preventing to qualify from the identical group.
It additionally opens up a path for progress on the weaker facet of the draw and means two of Wales, Australia, Fiji, England, Argentina and Japan are prone to attain the semi-finals.
Chile make their match debut after beating Canada and the USA in Americas qualifying, whereas Portugal are set to return to the World Cup for the primary time in 16 years.
Jack Rathborn8 September 2023 09:32
