LONDON — Consider Ireland's confidence restored. Only eight days ago, there were doubts around the reigning two-time Six Nations champion entering the Rugby World Cup after backward steps in consecutive warm-up defeats to Wales and England. Those wobbles have been banished after big wins in their first two Pool D matches: An opening 50-7 result over Canada that was followed on Sunday by a 44-10 defeat of Romania before another record Cup crowd at Wembley. Irish eyes are smiling again, and though it's at the expense of Tier Two teams, the team hasn't put up these kind of numbers since the 2011 Cup in New Zealand. Ireland put out a second-string side with 12 changes, but the side's ambition and width of attack was reflected in five tries shared by wingers Keith Earls, who was outstanding, Tommy Bowe and Earls' replacement, Rob Kearney. For good measure, the pack flexed their muscle at the end by driving over flanker Chris Henry from a lineout maul against a tired Oaks side, who had just enough energy and time to attack the Irish off a lineout, and watch lock Ovidiu Tonita twist over between the posts. Ireland signaled its mood early, and Earls was attacker-in-chief. From Earls' counterattack, Simon Zebo was given space. At speed, the fullback grubbered ahead with a defender on him, ran over the sidelines to round another defender, regathered the kick, and scored what looked to be a great solo try. But it was disallowed because he had a foot still in touch when he reclaimed the ball. A penalty was scant reward for all of Ireland's domination, but it didn't take long for the first try to come. Earls took an up-and-under and launched another charge from his half which finished with Bowe scoring. Romania had its moments, and worked the phases to 10 meters from Ireland's line, only to concede a penalty for not releasing. The Oaks were dogged by penalties, ultimately giving away 11, most of them in the first half when referee Craig Joubert's patience was stretched. Ireland became cocky in the second quarter when it twice ignored kickable penalties for attacking lineouts, only to be stopped by the Romanians. The rank underdogs would be found wanting on the flanks, but not through their pack. Zebo finished the half with another piece of individual brilliance, when his miss-out over three Romanians and Irish hooker Richardt Strauss fell perfectly to Earl, who raced in. Ian Madigan converted, his third kick of the half. His only miss hit the upright, leaving Ireland in charge at 18-3. Earls bagged his second try when a lineout maul was going nowhere and scrumhalf Eoin Reddan went the blindside, put a nice grubber kick along the ground, and Earls scooped it up and scored. He was replaced by Kearney then, after a top afternoon's work. Kearney made an impactful chargedown straight away, and from the pressure exerted Romania inside center Csaba Gal was yellow-carded. Romania fell apart and made Ireland look good. Reddan looped around inside center Darren Cave to put in Bowe for his second try, then Madigan looped round Cave to unleash Zebo, who gave Kearney the try pass. Back on even terms, the game ended with forwards' tries for Henry and Tonita, to eerily leave the scoreline similar to their two previous results in World Cups: 44-14 in 1999, and 45-17 in 2003. — AP
