Munster players play key role in Ireland's first game in the Rugby World Cup

MUNSTER Rugby's Peter O'Mahony was awarded the Mastercard Man of the Match after Ireland hammered Romania in their opening game of the Rugby World Cup. 

O'Mahony alongside Tadhg Beirne both scored two tries each in the game were Ireland scored 82 points to Romania's 8. 

Jack Crowley also came off the bench, replacing captain Sexton, and was foot perfect making four out of four of his conversions. 

Speaking after the game Peter said "Credit to Romania, you saw the way they rucked up and in the first few minutes they put us under the sticks so it was a right wake up call for us. We put some phases together that were good but we will certainly go back and have a look at some of the stuff we left out there. It was a pleasure coming out today and the fans here it was just off the wall stuff." 

Limerick's Keith Earls started the game and was extremely unlucky not to score a try of his own during the game. 

As Zombie by the Cranberries rolled around the Stade de Bourdeaux stadium O'Mahony continued by stating "We all consider it an honour to wear an Irish jersey and to do it at a World Cup is different again. This group is extremely special and I am delighted to be here."

Ireland scored 12 tries in total with Gibson-Park, Keenan, Aki (2), Sexton (2), Herring and McCarthy all getting over the line.

This win has set them up extremely well in the case of a point difference towards the end of the group stages. 

Their next game against Tonga will take place next Saturday, September 16 at 8pm Irish time.