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Everything you need to know about Ireland's RWC pool opponents

This weekend marks the start of the Rugby World Cup, and Ireland, who are ranked number one, will begin their quest not only to advance past the quarterfinals for the first time but also to win the entire event for the first time.

Ireland starts their campaign against Romania this evening. They will also face Tonga, Scotland, and South Africa in France.

Here's a full preview of every team Ireland will face in the RWC this coming Autumn.

Match week prep is underway! ✅#TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/52Ez2MEdXi

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) September 4, 2023

Romania:

Romania boasts a perfect attendance record at the Rugby World Cup, having qualified for and participated in all editions held up to 2019, marking a total of nine appearances up to that point.

However, Romania faced a setback in the 2019 tournament due to fielding an ineligible player during the qualification rounds, which led to their exclusion from that event.

Despite missing the 2023 edition initially, Romania managed to secure a spot after Spain repeated the same error as they did in 2019, by playing an ineligible player. Consequently, Romania earned qualification as the next-best team in their group.

Throughout their Rugby World Cup history, Romania has secured victories in six of their previous eight appearances, with the exceptions being the 1995 and 2011 tournaments.

Considering the strong competition from other teams, it appears highly unlikely that Romania will achieve anything other than a bottom-place finish in the group stage.

Ireland is scheduled to face Romania on September 9.

Romania Coach:

Eugen Apjok

Ireland's Head-to-Head record against Romania:

Ireland and Romania have met three times previously at the Rugby World Cup: during the pool stages of the 1999, 2003, and 2015 editions of the tournament. Ireland won all three matches.

Overall, Ireland and Romania have played each other nine times since their first meeting in 1986. Ireland maintains a 100% record, having won every match against Romania.

Ireland v Romania – Results:

1986: Autumn Test – Ireland 60, Romania 0, Lansdowne Road
1993: Autumn Test – Ireland 25, Romania 3, Lansdowne Road
1998: Rugby World Cup Qualifier – Ireland 53, Romania 35, Lansdowne Road
1999: Rugby World Cup Pool E – Ireland 44, Romania 14, Lansdowne Road
2001: Summer Tour – Romania 3, Ireland 37, Bucharest
2002: Rugby World Cup Qualifier – Ireland 39, Romania 8, Thomond Park
2003: Rugby World Cup Pool A – Ireland 45, Romania 17, Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
2005: Autumn Test – Ireland 43, Romania 12, Lansdowne Road
2015 Rugby World Cup - Pool B - Ireland 42, Romania 3, Wembley

Romania team:

Forwards: Alexandru Savin, Gheorghe Gajion, Thomas Crețu, Alexandru Gordas, Costel Burtila, Iulian Hartig, Ovidiu Cojocaru, Robert Irimescu, Florin Bardasu, Adrian Motoc, Marius Iftimiciuc, Ștefan Iancu, Cristi Chirica (capt), Andre Gorin, Vlad Neculau, Dragoș Ser, Cristi Boboc, Florian Rosu, Damian Stratila

Backs: Gabriel Rupanu, Florin Surugiu, Alin Conache, Gabriel Pop, Sioeli Lama, Tudor Boldor, Nicolas Onutu, Marius Simionescu, Tangimana Fonovai, Taylor Gontineac, Jason Tomane, Tevita Manumua, Hinckley Vaovasa, Taliauli Sikuea

Other details:

Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux
Kick-off: 2:30 pm (3:30 pm local)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
TV Coverage: Live on ITV (UK) and Virgin Media (ROI)

Tonga:

Tonga has never progressed beyond the group stage in the Rugby World Cup.

Historically, Tonga has struggled with slow starts in recent World Cup tournaments, with their peak performance often coming towards the end of the competition. One of their standout moments was during the 2011 tournament in New Zealand when they defeated Japan and caused an upset by defeating eventual finalists France 19-14. However, this success followed a disappointing loss to Canada. In the previous World Cup held in Japan four years ago, Tonga finished strongly, narrowly losing to France 23-21 and securing a victory against the United States. This win marked their sole triumph in one of the tournament's most challenging groups.

Ireland is set to face Tonga on September 16.

Ireland's David Irwin on the attack chased by Tonga's Alamoni Liava'a
[Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Billy Stickland]

Tonga coach:

Toutai Kefu

Ireland vs. Tonga head-to-head record:

Ireland and Tonga have only met once previously at the Rugby World Cup, during the pool stages of the inaugural edition of the tournament in 1987. Ireland won that match 32-9 in Brisbane.

In their only other encounter, Ireland defeated Tonga 40-19 on a summer tour in 2003.

Ireland v Tonga – Recent results.

1987: Rugby World Cup Australia, Ireland 32-9 Tonga
2003: Tour of Australia, Samoa & Tonga, Ireland 40-19-Tonga

Tonga team:

Forwards: Sosefo 'Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Leva Fifita, Vaea Fifita, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Feao Fotuaika, Solomone Funaki, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Havili Talitui, Tau Koloamatangi, Paula Latu, Sam Lousi, Sitiveni Mafi, Siua Maile, Samiuela Moli, Paula Ngauamo, Semisi Paea, Ben Tameifuna, Sione Vailanu

Backs: Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa, William Havili, Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, Otumaka Mausia, George Moala, Manu Paea, Salesi Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Sonatane Takulua, Kyren Taumoefolau, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Anzelo Tuitavuki

Other details:

Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Kick-off: 8:00 pm (9:00 pm local)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
TV Coverage: Live on ITV (UK) and RTÉ (ROI)

South Africa:

South Africa's Rugby World Cup history comprises seven out of the nine tournaments held, with their absence from the first two due to a sports boycott during the apartheid era. After apartheid ended, they not only participated but also hosted the 1995 Rugby World Cup, securing victory in that tournament. Their triumph repeated in the 2007 edition held in France. South Africa made history in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan when they defeated England, clinching the title despite losing a pool stage match.

Remarkably, the Springboks share the record for the most tournament wins at the Rugby World Cup with the New Zealand All Blacks, both having won three times, even though South Africa has been part of fewer tournaments.

Ireland is scheduled to face the Springboks on September 23.

South Africa coach:

Jacques Nienaber

Ireland vs. South Africa head-to-head record:

Overall, Ireland and South Africa have played each other 27 times since their first meeting in 1906. The Springboks have won 18 matches, while Ireland has won eight matches, with one drawn match between the two sides.

Ireland v South Africa – Results

2014 Aviva Stadium, Dublin 29–15 Ireland 2014 end-of-year test
2016 Newlands, Cape Town 20–26 Ireland 2016 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa
2016 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 32–26 South Africa 58,400
2016 Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth 19–13 South Africa
2017 Aviva Stadium, Dublin 38–3 Ireland 2017 end-of-year test
2022 Aviva Stadium, Dublin 19–16 Ireland 2022 end-of-year test

South Africa team:

Forwards: Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane; Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx; Eben Etzebeth, Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie; Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Kwagga Smith, Marco Van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese.

Backs: Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams; Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse; Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie Le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie

Other details:

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 8:00 pm (9:00 pm local)
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
TV Coverage: Live on ITV (UK) and RTÉ (ROI)

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - SEPTEMBER 24: Siya Kolisi captain of South Africa and teammates acknowledge the fans after The Rugby Championship match between South Africa and Argentina at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on September 24, 2022 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Scotland:

Scotland has a rich history at the World Cup, with seven quarter-final appearances out of their nine previous participations.

The Rugby World Cup has seen Ireland and Scotland cross paths twice before. These encounters took place during the pool stages of the 1991 and 2019 editions. Scotland emerged victorious in the 1991 match with a score of 24-15 at Murrayfield, while Ireland secured a convincing win in the 2019 clash with a score of 27-3 in Yokohama.

On October 7, Andy Farrell's squad will square off against Scotland once again.

Scotland coach:

Gregor Townsend

Ireland vs. Scotland head-to-head record:

Overall, Ireland and Scotland have played each other 139 times since their first meeting in 1877. Ireland has won 68 matches, Scotland has won 66 matches, and there have been five drawn matches between the two sides.

Ireland v Scotland – Results

2018 Aviva Stadium, Dublin 28–8 Ireland 2018 Six Nations Championship
2019 Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh 13–22 Ireland 2019 Six Nations Championship
2019 International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama, Japan 27–3 Ireland 2019 Rugby World Cup
2020 Aviva Stadium, Dublin 19–12 Ireland 2020 Six Nations Championship
2020 Aviva Stadium, Dublin 31–16 Ireland Autumn Nations Cup
2021 Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh 24–27 Ireland 2021 Six Nations Championship
2022 Aviva Stadium, Dublin 26–5 Ireland 2022 Six Nations Championship 51,000
2023 Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh 7–22 Ireland 2023 Six Nations Championship

Scotland team:

Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie (capt), Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Hamish Watson

Backs: Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Ben Healy, George Horne, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Finn Russell, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Ben White