Trimble brace boosts Ireland

Andrew Trimble scored two tries as Ireland beat Romania 43-12 at Lansdowne Road.

International Match, Lansdowne Road, Saturday November 26, KO 12.30

Andrew Trimble contributed two tries as Ireland overcame Romania 43-12 at Lansdowne Road.

Eddie O'Sullivan's side had suffered heavy defeats against New Zealand and Australia during a disappointing autumn international programme but produced an encouraging display against a powerful but guileless Romanian team.

Ireland ran in six tries while veteran fly half David Humphreys collected 13 points with a flawless kicking display.

Romania's powerful forwards discomforted their opposite numbers in the early stages and two penalties from Petre Mitu gave the visitors a 6-3 lead after 11 minutes.

Ireland's new-look back division had struggled to gel until the opening try from Andrew Trimble after 26 minutes.

Full back Geordan Murphy sliced through Romania's midfield defence and released centre Trimble for a simple run-in to the line on only his second international appearance.

Romania suffered another setback when flanker Alexandru Manta was sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball at an Irish ruck.

Ireland took advantage of the extra man when flanker Neil Best crossed for a 38th minute. Gordon D'Arcy created an opening with a short pass to Best who ran through two weak tackles to touch down.

Humphreys added the conversion for a 17-6 half-time lead and their was no respite for the visitors after the interval.

Trimble was in for his second try after 43 minutes when Romania full back Catalin Fercu fumbled Humphreys towering kick and from the next phase Tommy Bowe beat his man and released Trimble close to the line for the try.

Mitu slotted a couple of penalties to reduce Romania's deficit to 24-12 as the visiting forwards enjoyed success mixing it with their Irish counterparts.

Romania's resistance lasted until the 58th minute when Jonny O'Connor scored his first international try. From the base of a ruck scrum-half Kieran Campbell fed O'Connor on the blindside and the flanker outpaced Romania's defence down the right-touchline.

In the final quarter Ireland took the opportunity to make a raft of substitutions and their were further tries for Murphy and Girvan Dempsey to extend the winning margin to 43-12.