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<\/p>\nIreland\u2019s Jonathan Sexton smiles during a training session at the Stade de la Vallee du Cher in Tours, France<\/p>\n
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Ireland begin their Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania with the return of Johnny Sexton.<\/p>\n
The veteran fly half hands head coach Andy Farrell a major boost as the world\u2019s No 1-ranked team look to overcome a lopsided draw and a tricky pool to secure glory in France. <\/p>\n
Unbeaten in 2023, the Irish will hope to go at least one further than Japan 2019, when a crushing loss to New Zealand ended their hopes in the quarter-finals. But with the All Blacks and hosts France in Pool A, they will have to do it the hard way should they themselves advance from Pool B. <\/p>\n
Follow live score updates, analysis and reaction from the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds and the latest tips and odds <\/em>here<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n That\u2019s a stunning score from Italy, going from inside their own half and cutting Namibia apart out wide, Ange Capuozzo exchanging passes with Monty Ioane before scurrying into the corner. It all came after a vital turnover on his own line from replacement flanker Manuel Zuliani with Namibia looking for a second try, and that\u2019s the best we\u2019ve seen from Italy in possession.<\/p>\n Tommaso Allan knocks over a touchline conversion: Italy 31-8 Namibia.<\/p>\n Little more than an hour now until Ireland get their World Cup underway against Romania. Andy Farrell\u2019s side have safely made it out to the rather funky Matmut Atlantique, which will be known as the Stade de Bordeaux for this tournament. <\/p>\n More like it from Italy, getting their kicking game right early in the second half and bashing their way over the line after making initial progress with the maul to the left corner. Dino Lamb is the scorer – the Harlequins lock represented England at U20 level.<\/p>\n Tommaso Allan, himself a recently departed Harlequin, knocks over the extra two points to swell Italy\u2019s lead to 24-8.<\/p>\n They are back out there in the Saint Etienne heat. Can Italy kick into gear in the second half? It\u2019s just been a little bit too inaccurate so far from Kieran Crowley\u2019s side.<\/p>\n Ireland, France, South Africa and New Zealand shape as the tournament favourites \u2013 but how far down our rankings are England and Wales after a difficult 2023 so far? <\/p>\n A captivating first 40 in Saint-Etienne, with Italy taking a lead down the tunnel but not having it all their own way at Stade Geoffroy Guichard. Tiaan Swanepoel had the chance to knock through three more Namibian points just before the interval, and had the distance from all of 60 metres on the angle, but pushed his penalty out to the right.<\/p>\n Vice-captain James Ryan insists Ireland must begin the Rugby World Cup with \u201creal intent\u201d if they have genuine aspirations of being crowned champions.<\/p>\n Andy Farrell\u2019s side are out to substantiate their status as the top-ranked Test team and one of the pre-tournament favourites.<\/p>\n The Six Nations winners launch their campaign against Pool B minnows Romania at a sold-out Stade de Bordeaux expected to be packed with Irish fans.<\/p>\n Leinster lock Ryan, who concedes Ireland were below their best in warm-up victories over Italy, England and Samoa, says his side are striving for a complete 80-minute performance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s definitely not about easing ourselves in,\u201d said the 27-year-old. \u201cIf we\u2019re going to take this competition seriously I don\u2019t think you can ease yourself into any game.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got to go in with the right mentality.<\/p>\n \u201cTomorrow is about playing with real intent and putting in a performance that we know we\u2019re capable of.\u201d<\/p>\n The Six Nations winners launch their campaign on Saturday against Pool B minnows Romania.<\/p>\n Our primary focus this afternoon will be on Ireland\u2019s opener, with Johnny Sexton back in harness after serving his suspension in a mightily strong side named to take on Romania. Luke Baker <\/strong>asks if the grand slammers are the team to finally end Ireland\u2019s World Cup woe.<\/p>\n Ireland are desperate to final get beyond the quarter-finals in Johnny Sexton\u2019s last stand, writes Luke Baker, but fates may be conspiring against them again <\/p>\n It\u2019s been a cracking contest so far between Itay and Namibia. Gerswin Mouton has gone over in the corner to narrow Italy\u2019s lead to nine points, with Namibia throwing plenty at this impressivee young Italian side. Things didn\u2019t work out with South Africa for Allister Coetzee, sacked in 2018 before Rassie Erasmus turned the Springboks into World Cup winners, but the veteran coach has his side well drilled. <\/p>\nRecommended<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nItaly begin to pull away<\/h3>\n
Ireland arrive at the Stade de Bordeaux<\/h3>\n
Italy extend advantage<\/h3>\n
Italy 17-8 Namibia – second half under way<\/h3>\n
Rugby World Cup power rankings: Rating every nation\u2019s chances ahead of the tournament<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRugby World Cup power rankings: Rating every nation\u2019s chances ahead of the tournament<\/h3>\n
HT: Italy 17-8 Namibia<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nJames Ryan urges Ireland to begin Rugby World Cup with \u2018real intent\u2019<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nJames Ryan urges Ireland to begin Rugby World Cup with \u2018real intent\u2019<\/h3>\n
Ireland have greatest chance to break Rugby World Cup curse but questions remain<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nIreland have greatest chance to break Rugby World Cup curse but questions remain<\/h3>\n
Rugby World Cup 2023<\/h3>\n
Rugby World Cup 2023: Stuart Hogg joins The Independent as columnist for the tournament<\/h3>\n
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