Romania rout gives Scotland ‘momentum’ before Ireland showdown in Rugby World Cup: Gregor Townsend
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Scotland coach Gregor Townsend (above) made 13 changes to his team and winger Darcy Graham scored four of the Scots’ 12 tries.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LILLE – Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said Saturday’s 84-0 win over Romania gives his side “good momentum” before this week’s Rugby World Cup showdown with Ireland.
Scotland sit third in Pool B after the bonus-point victory and head to Paris for a crucial match against the world’s top-ranked team on Saturday.
They will need victory at the Stade de France against a team who have beaten reigning champions South Africa at this tournament to at least finish on the same number of points as Ireland.
Former Scotland fly-half Townsend made 13 changes to his team and winger Darcy Graham scored four of the Scots’ 12 tries.
“We’ll sit down tomorrow and discuss selection, but this gives us really good momentum ahead of our biggest game of the World Cup,” Townsend said.
“It’s a real credit to the 23 tonight and sets up whoever plays against Ireland with a lot of positivity.”
Graham’s contributions moved him to within four of Stuart Hogg’s record of 27 tries for Scotland. It also matched Gavin Hastings’ World Cup record for Scotland set against Ivory Coast in 1995.
Hamish Watson, Ali Price, Matt Fagerson, Chris Harris, Ollie Smith, Ben Healy, Johnny Matthews and Rory Darge also crossed the line for the Scots.
“He’s someone who will create opportunities for scoring tries. A lot of that is his willingness to get on the ball,” Townsend said of Graham.
“He’s a great finisher. His footwork for his fourth try was incredible. The last two games, Darcy’s really gone for it. He’s now flying, and that’s brilliant to see.”
Flanker Watson was one of the players called into the side, having lost his starting position to Darge, despite captaining the side during 2022’s tour to Argentina.
“I thought he was very good. He started carrying well. He’s trained really well all week. Of course, he’s stuck up a hand for next week,” Townsend said.
“Having seen the game tonight, I’m sure we’ll look for more details, but I thought he played well.”
Irish-born fly-half Healy stood in for influential Finn Russell, kicking 11 conversions for a 100 per cent success rate from the tee.
Scotland’s fly-half Ben Healy (right) celebrating with teammate Hamish Watson after scoring a try.
“It’s a tricky game where you have to do the basics first. He grew into the game as a runner too. The goal-kicking was an added bonus,” Townsend said.
Stand-in skipper Grant Gilchrist said the performance showed the depth in the Scotland squad.
“We knew we had to front up tonight and do a professional job. Credit to Romania, they fought hard and put in some good shots, but we stuck to our system and I am really proud of that performance, which gives us momentum going into next week,” he said.
“The guys who came in I thought were all excellent. They all showed why they are in the squad and how competitive this squad are.
“It’s up to the coaches to put the team together, but a lot of the guys put their hands up today and were outstanding.
“We know what awaits us next week, it is hugely exciting.”
Romania coach Eugen Apjok blamed the heavy defeat on three players – hooker Robert Irimescu, flanker Florian Rosu and fullback Marius Simionescu – being sent to the sin bin just before half-time.
“We lost the balance of the game when we were shown the yellow cards. It made a difference, but we expected more from our players,” said former international fly-half Apjok.
Scotland’s Ollie Smith in action with Romania’s Marius Simionescu.
Romania have had a tough tournament in France, hammered 82-8 by Ireland, 76-0 by South Africa before being subjected to a 12-try blitz by Scotland in Pool B.
“First of all we need to learn a lot of things from the first three games we have played. The players need to be more professional and work harder on our fitness levels. After that, the level of everything else will go up,” Apjok said.
Lock Adrian Motoc added: “I know we got a lot of points scored against us, but I think the guys were more together for this game. We defended a lot, tried to play the game but, unfortunately, we couldn’t score.
“We will try to get the positives out for the next game. It really is an honour to play against the biggest teams.”
Romania conclude their World Cup campaign against Tonga in Lille on Sunday. AFP, REUTERS