Romania insist they won’t target Johnny Sexton

Romania insist they will not target “world-class” Ireland captain Johnny Sexton on his comeback from almost six months on the sidelines.

Veteran fly-half Sexton, 38, will lead his country into Saturday’s Rugby World Cup clash in Bordeaux following a lengthy absence through a groin injury and subsequent suspension.

Romania assistant coach Valentin Ursache, who is the same age as Ireland’s influential skipper, said: “We don’t target anyone.

“I know Johnny Sexton is a quality player, a world-class player, I think he’s ready for this game.

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“It’s not for nothing that the Irish take him in the squad without playing a Test game.

“He’s a captain, a leader and we know what he can bring for Ireland. He shows that every time he plays.”

Pool B underdogs Romania were absent from the World Cup for the first time in 2019 after being punished for fielding an ineligible player in qualifying.

Ursache admits that setback has fuelled his nation and feels they have nothing to lose against the world’s top-ranked side and in upcoming fixtures against South Africa, Scotland and Tonga.

“Definitely it’s a big disappointment because Romania had qualified for every World Cup until then,” said the retired lock, who won 66 caps for Romania between 2004 and 2018.

“That was a big motivation for us to qualify for 2023. We’re here and now it’s a big challenge in front of us. The pool we’ve got is the toughest one.

“Our speech to the boys is just go there, show what you’ve got and make people proud, that one day when you look on the TV that you are proud of yourself. We don’t have anything to lose.”

Romania team: M Simionescu; N Onutu, F Tangimana, J Tomane, T Manumua; H Vaovasa, G Rupanu; I Hartig, O Cojocaru, A Gordas, A Motoc, S Iancu, F Rosu, V Neculau, C Chirica (capt).

Replacements: F Bardasu, A Savin, G Gajion, M Iftimiciuc, D Ser, A Conache, T Boldor, T Gontineac.