The 44-10 victory over Romania in front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium, means the Irish Rugby team can secure their place in the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup next week. Ireland scored 6 tries on their way to a second successive bonus point win.

The players have given Joe Schmidt a few selection headaches ahead of the next encounter against Italy at the Olympic Stadium. Ireland know that if they are going to be in the mix to win this tournament at the end of the next month, that it be a squad effort. They passed a test at Wembley. Making 12 changes was a risk, even against Romania. The players that came in knew that this was an opportunity to stake a claim to be included in the bigger games to come.

There were big performances from the likes of Devin Toner and Chris Henry. Simon Zebo lit up Wembley with some amazing attacking play. He would have scored one on the tries of the tournament, had it not been disallowed for a foot in touch by the smallest of margins. There was some redemption for Tommy Bowe in scoring two tries. The first and the bonus point securing 4th. But the competition for places is so intense that his fellow winger Keith Earls also scored twice, to equal Brian O'Driscoll's record of seven World Cup Tries.

Ireland weren't as composed as they would have liked. They left a few scores behind and conceded a try late on. The biggest setback was the injury to Rob Kearney. The Leinster full back came off the bench to score the games 5th try, but jarred his glute and hip in process. The injury was put on ice, but he must be a doubt for next week.

If the first game in Cardiff was a party, Wembley seemed more like a festival. There was a complete lack of the usual tension that comes with a match. Few in crowd seem to have concerns that Romania would create an upset. So little was a stake, everyone was there just to enjoy themselves, play their part in the spectacle.

Outside Wembley. #ShoulderToShoulder. pic.twitter.com/0axG2NY0sF

— Today FM Sport (@todayfmsport) September 27, 2015

The few Romanian supporters seemed happy with their teams late try. Along with the romance of the replacement scrum half proposing to his girlfriend out on the pitch in front of his team mates after the match. She said "Yes".

The crowd was nearly twice the size of a sold out Aviva Stadium. No surprises the game had attracted a lot of Irish living aboard. One man  had left Galway 20 years ago and was bringing his teenage sons to the game. Others had moved over more recently and were acting as hosts to their friends and relations from home. Many had booked their tickets 14 months ago, so had had plenty of time to look forward to the occasion. 

The surge of noise every time Ireland ran with the ball was deafening. Describing his perspective down on pitch captain Jamie Heaslip said it was empowering. "I thought last week was loud, the support has blown the team away to be honest."

It didn't long for the focus to switch to Italy. There was little or no sign of celebration from the players when they talked to the media after the game. They got what was required, anything less would have been a worry.

Ireland now play a Tier 1 team for the first time in the tournament. It will be a must win game for Italy. Their last chance to get out of the group.  They lost their opener with France and survived a scare against Canada. Joe Schmidt knows the return of Italian skipper Sergio Parrise will make a big difference.  "To have the 10 points bagged is really important for us. Parrise is due back tomorrow. I think he is very much a talisman for their team. I think they are starting to build their way into the tournament and they will be very very tough for us."

Ireland now travel around 30 miles South to their base for the week, Guilford.  They will then move back across London to make their first appearance at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday.