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Sexton returns to captain Ireland against Romania

07 Sep 2023

Ireland Team Announcement – Rugby World Cup 2023 – Mercure Bordeaux Chateau Chartrons – Thursday 7th September

Johnny Sexton will play his first competitive match since March when he starts against Romania on Saturday in Ireland’s opening match of the World Cup.

Sexton is set to make his first appearance for club or country since Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam-winning match against England after being named at fly-half.

The Ireland captain is just 34 points away from surpassing Ronan O’Gara (1,083) as Ireland’s top points scorer in test rugby.

Elsewhere Bundee Aki wins his 50th international cap alongside Garry Ringrose.

Dan Sheehan, Jack Conan and Dave Kilcoyne have all been ruled out as they recover from foot injuries in the case of Sheehan and Conan, and Kilcoyne tries to overcome a hamstring issue.

Ireland XV
1. Andrew Porter
2. Rob Herring
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Joe McCarthy
5. James Ryan
6. Tadhg Beirne
7. Peter O’Mahony
8. Caelan Doris
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. Johnny Sexton (captain)
11. James Lowe
12. Bundee Ali
13. Garry Ringrose
14. Keith Earls
15. Hugo Keenan

Replacements:
16. Ronan Kelleher
17. Jeremy Loughman
18. Tom O’Toole
19. Iain Henderson
20. Josh van der Flier
21. Conor Murray
22. Jack Crowley
23. Robbie Henshaw

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USA vs England | Men's International | Full Match Replay

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Comments on RugbyPass

fl 6 minutes ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

This is all a bit odd. Depth is vital to do well throughout a 4 year cycle, but it doesb’t matter as much at a world cup.

15 Go to comments

Hammer Head 9 minutes ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Stacked at 9? Only two on that list have played for the ABs?

I’d use the term stacked when they’re tried and tested, capped ABs.

I know you probably think that playing in SR automatically makes you test match quality.

But that’s not the actual case though and until Razor grows a pair and gives all these players we keep hearing about a shout, you have no depth to sprout about.

Certainly not the 4-4-4 variety. he’s stuck on the 2-2-2 in most positions. Particularly 9 through 15.

15 Go to comments

Hammer Head 9 minutes ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Doubtful but okay to believe so if you wish.

15 Go to comments

Hammer Head 12 minutes ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

His predecessor did at least get the team to no.1. RC trophy? WC final?

While he wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, he was still far more successful than Razor has been (yet).

Jury will be in after this year though and I expect Razor to do well. But the jury is, still, out.

15 Go to comments

Ed the Duck 15 minutes ago

How the Lions' injury-dogged 'Jukebox' Tadhg Furlong is still producing great hits

There’s even a few Irish fans that had written him off, including one who goes by the name of ike but as you say, not “by folks who know a fair bit about rugby”!

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DarstedlyDan 20 minutes ago

Leicester Fainga'anuku explains loose forward role at Toulon

SR has All Blacks… top 14 dorsn’… Top 14 doesn’t have English, Irish, Scottish … Its fake news to claim its a “tough” comp.

Simply not true.

The Top 14 is a quality comp, and it’s top teams - including Toulon - are among the worlds best club teams. As are the top SR teams.

You’re the one making massive statements with nothing to base them on.

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SL 20 minutes ago

Shocking state of Prem Rugby club finances revealed in business report

Get the Anglo-Welsh sorted for 2026/27. It will benefit both countries with increased fan base, bigger TV deal and constant full grounds.

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Nickers 49 minutes ago

Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

Absolutely ridiculous, fair enough not picking overseas players, but also not picking players when they return? Pathetic bureaucrats. We want to see the best people competing, not celebrate the fine print they dream up to make it hard for people to play.

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LE 52 minutes ago

Shocking state of Prem Rugby club finances revealed in business report

Third highest turnover, second lowest debt, looks pretty fiscally responsible. Quins, gloucster and exeter not in too bad a shape either.

Sale look very bad their debt is nearly higher than thir turnover

3 Go to comments

Nickers 53 minutes ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

It would certainly be nice to see guys like Leeroy Carter get a crack. He is in that category of winger like James Lowe that the ABs don’t really like, but could be a real handful at test level and bring a style of play the ABs don’t have in their arsenal. Milner-Skudder had that kind of impact when he came into the team, and I would love to see more unorthodox players like him given a chance.

15 Go to comments

NH 53 minutes ago

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I think it would've been easy enough to play wilson from the bench to “rest him” for game 3, or bobby/Skelton off bench because they're still recovering.

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acenifler1 1 hour ago

Shocking state of Prem Rugby club finances revealed in business report

w saints

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RK 1 hour ago

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Sucked into what, I can tell you Rassie doesn’t role the dice with a 6-2 split everything is meticulously planned that is where Hansen is delusional.

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SadersMan 1 hour ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Yesssss. Finally, a real rugby tour.

15 Go to comments

SadersMan 1 hour ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Exactly. Though 8 years in the side saddle didn’t help his predecessor when he took over.

15 Go to comments

SadersMan 1 hour ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

Yes, the FRA D team would’ve flogged them.

15 Go to comments

Over the sideline 1 hour ago

Leicester Fainga'anuku denied All Blacks eligibility for TRC

Good decision. Its backing up NZR selection policy which is crucial. Id be happy if they selected him for SA onwards as he would have had 5-6 npc games tho.

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Alastair Graham 1 hour ago

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Ben White was outstanding in Tuesday’s game, but no place for him, even on the bench.

4 Go to comments

SadersMan 1 hour ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

I think we’re stacked at #9. There’s Roigard, Ratima, Hotham, Whakatava, Roe, Preston, others, if we’re looking towards RWC & beyond. Pledger & Tamati from U20s look the goods too.

15 Go to comments

Hammer Head 1 hour ago

Half-back depth is the flaw in 'Razor's' 4-4-4 Rugby World Cup plan

He’s still leaning how to be an international coach full stop.

15 Go to comments

LONG READ

LONG READ How the Lions' injury-dogged 'Jukebox' Tadhg Furlong is still producing great hits How the Lions' injury-dogged 'Jukebox' Tadhg Furlong is still producing great hits

Sexton returns to captain Ireland against Romania

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Comments

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