Eddie O’Sullivan on the two players leading Ireland’s wing war

Rob Kearney, the established first-choice 15, sustained an injury against Romania on Sunday, having come on as a replacement, while Simon Zebo has left the World Cup squad on compassionate leave following the death of his grandfather.

Schmidt added: “We know we can qualify if we win next weekend”.

They defended stoutly but on this evidence but will need to show more attacking threat if they are to finish this World Cup with a victory against either Canada or Italy in Pool D.

The pool we have – as has been widely documented – is brilliant for us, but like with everything there will always be issues with that, in terms of potentially being undercooked for the big games ahead.

Reddan flung the ball out to Bowe, who brushed off Ionut Botezatu to roll into the corner, and moments later Zebo’s pop inside freed substitute Rob Kearney to crash through for try number five. He has jarred himself up a little bit.

“We hope it’s not too much but the next 24 to 48 hours will tell if he’s done anything telling for next week”.

They will hit the ground running. Romania have physically strong forwards but their opponents were prone to sending more players than required to win possession. His first try of two took a few finishing as neither Jared Payne nor Zebo straightened sufficiently to preserve the space and so Bowe had to ride a heavy tackle to ground the ball; perhaps he alone of the wings in the Irish squad is capable of that strength.

“We know also that it’s a hard thing to work your way through a couple of games where you’re heavily favoured to get the right result”.

Earls’ brace of tries brought him level with retired iconic centre Brian O’Driscoll as Ireland’s record World Cup try scorer on seven.

Fortunately for him she said “yes”. Sixty minutes before kick-off in any sporting context is not an ideal time to be posing for pictures and with the Irish players looking on, it certainly was not the place.

With the Irish out in force in London, yesterday’s game set a new World Record for the most attended rugby game in history.

The home of English football was decked out in green and stand-in captain Heaslip admits the support struck a chord with the team.

Wembley’s mexican wave produced such volume that Romania had to form a huddle in order to call their lineout, but they continued to frustrate with key turnovers deep in their own 22.

The Romanian side all grabbed each other shoulder-to-shoulder and walked back out onto the pitch, facing the tunnel and Club Wembley section, in what appeared to be a somewhat weird photo opportunity. I think I bounced back well from it, I think I turned it around. “Now as far as Romania are concerned we’re probably playing a semi-final and a final now”.