‘Ireland’s World Cup just starting’

There is another provincial axis in midfield with Ulster’s Darren Cave and Payne filling the centre berths, while Earls is joined in the back-three by Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe, the only survivor from Ireland’s 43-12 victory over Romania back in November 2005.

The Leinster loosehead, who made his return from neck surgery against Canada, packs down alongside provincial team-mate Richardt Strauss and Nathan White.

He is still the closest thing Ireland have to unbreakable.

“Romania made us work for it, definitely”, he explained.

Madigan kicked the conversion but while Earls returned to action shortly before the hour mark, the all-important fourth try continued to elude the Irish, who were still dominating territory and possession.

“Those combinations, you want to try to build them, but those guys know each other pretty well now”, said Murphy.

Madigan and Valentin Calafeteanu traded penalties at the top of the clash, before Simon Zebo thought he had sparked the rout.

Zebo’s jubilant celebrations were cut short however, as a review showed his was just in touch when he reclaimed the ball and the try chalked off.

Dave Kearney has sneaked ahead of him in Ireland’s pecking order, so the powerful Ulster man will be desperate to impress against Romania.

Less than four minutes into the second period Ireland crossed the whitewash again as an agricultural boot up the field from Cian Healy earned a well-placed line-out before Earls gathered a neat grubber from Eoin Reddan to cruise over. There was no sound to accompany the images of the normally laid-back coach screaming at his players, but according to Thursday’s L’Equipe the gist of his message was “Combat!”

The Romania side’s average age is 102 days higher. After Madigan’s second penalty had restored Ireland’s lead they were eventually rewarded for their early dominance as a flowing move ended with Bowe going over in the corner for his first try for 10 months.

Key man: Keith Earls put in a two-try turn and looked sharp throughout in defence and attack despite a trip to the blood bin and eventually going off with 15 minutes to go. From the scrum Bowe slid home for the bonus-point score, Reddan’s runaround exploiting the extra man.

“Will that be an advantage for them?” That’s the bonus point in the bag. Madigan landed another stunning conversion from wide out on the right for 32-3.

Ireland are sweating on the fitness of Rob Kearney for the match after he was injured in scoring the fifth try shortly after coming on as a substitute.