Interesting dressing-room scenes as the two teams prepare to step out into a 90,000-strong St Patrick's Day Parade.

Jamie Heaslip and his Ireland team stand in a circle, but separate, staring each other out as the final words are spoken.

Romania are in the traditional tight huddle, finishing with an American-style 'all hands into the middle' crescendo.

Not sure about that... 

This is how we stand in Pool D.

France picked up a bonus point in their win over Romania but failed to do so in their victory over Italy.

If Ireland score four tries and win - both of which they should do - they will go top.

Winning this group could be crucial. 

Come second and you are likely to find yourself paired with the All Blacks in the last eight. 

Top it and you have a shot at Argentina, maybe even Tonga or Georgia, for a semi-final place.

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, PA

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt retains only Jared Payne, Keith Earls and Jamie Heaslip from the side which defeated Canada 50-7 in the Pool D opener at the Millennium Stadium.

Tommy Bowe is back for Ireland after his warm-up game nightmare at Twickenham while Simon Zebo is another whose hopes of featuring extensively at this World Cup could be defined by this afternoon’s contest. Romania’s Welsh coach Lynn Howells makes eight changes from Wednesday’s 38-11 defeat by France with scrum-half Valentin Calafeteanu likely to assume the kicking duties from benched Florin Vlaicu. Only Paulica Ion survives from the front row which enjoyed some notable early success against the France scrum in the Olympic Stadium.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, BBC Sport

There is less than 10 minutes to kick-off - just enough time to take a quick return trip over to this excellent feature on former Romania forward Cristian Raducanu who walked out of a post-match meal and changed his life forever.

An incredible story. 

Image source, PA

Judging by the tie, this Ireland fan is keen to distinguish themselves from any 'plastic paddies' jumping on the bandwagon for the afternoon.

 I think he protests too much.

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger

"I expect a strong opening 20 minutes from Romania. They have a capable pack as they showed against France but their backline is made up mainly of players in the Romanian league so you would think that overall Ireland should prove far too good today.

"It is an important day for several Irish players including Tommy Bowe and Simon Zebo who will be hoping to convince Joe Schmidt that they should be in contention for the tougher tests that lie ahead.

Romania are without flanker Valentin Ursache, who has been banned for a week following a dangerous tackle on Morgan Parra during his team's 38-11 defeat by France on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old, selected at blind-side flanker before the ban was imposed, is replaced by Viorel Lucaci.

Lock Ovidiu Tonita equals the national record of 14 Rugby World Cup appearances as part of a starting line-up which has won a total of 710 caps - the most ever by a Romania team at the tournament.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has made 12 changes to his starting line-up - naming the nation's oldest starting XV in World Cup history.

Robbie Henshaw is not included despite the centre's return to fitness after a hamstring strain that ruled him out of the 50-7 win over Canada on Saturday.

But prop Cian Healy makes his first start this season after a neck injury.

Simon Zebo, Tommy Bowe and Darren Cave come into the backline, with fly-half Ian Madigan getting the nod over Paddy Jackson to partner Eoin Reddan.

Ireland defeated Romania by 30 and 28-point margins at the 1999 and 2003 World Cups.

Joe Schmidt feels he has enough in reserve to rest a few of his first-choice picks.

Here is the team news...

John Haughey
BBC Sport NI at Wembley

Ireland and Romania are back in a World Cup cauldron 25 years after Packie Bonner and David O’Leary’s heroics ensured one of the Emerald Isle’s most memorable sporting moments.

Bonner’s save to deny Daniel Timofte during the tense penalty shoot-out in the Italia ’90 second-round game in Genoa was followed by O’Leary holding his nerve as Jack Charlton’s Republic of Ireland progressed to a quarter-final against hosts Italy in Rome.

Toto Schillaci’s goal ended that Irish team’s World Cup odyssey at the last-eight stage.

Ireland rugby fans are hoping their 2015 heroes go at least one step further in this World Cup. 

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Next up is Romania under Wembley Stadium's arch.

The English capital's Irish ex-pats will turn one corner of the north circular green for the afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland have arrived at past World Cups with high expectations.

In 2007, with peak Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy and Paul O'Connell, they failed to get out of their group. 

This time the current Six Nations champions are playing it in the style of their coach Joe Schmidt - a man so low on melodrama that he carries out post-match interviews with a burst appendix.

A 50-7 win over Canada in their opening match was the sort of cold-blooded clinical performance that has become their hallmark under Schmidt. 

Image source, Getty Images

As well as the tackle pads, strapping and heat spray, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt packed a clock and dagger for this World Cup.

"He didn't want to show their hand," saidBrian O'Driscoll of Ireland's preparations for this tournament., external

"They were trying to get under the radar. Any time there was an open session, they would do defensive sets or fitness. 

"No one was allowed at the training base in Carton House. People wandering up and watching sessions...that's gone."

Stealthy, stealthy, catchy trophy?