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Scotland vs Romania LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Darcy Graham stars in thrashing

Gregor Townsend’s must take a bonus-point to set up a decider against Ireland next week

Chris Wilson
Saturday 30 September 2023 17:52 EDT
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Sam Warburton and Andy Goode answer your Rugby World Cup questions

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Darcy Graham climbed from sixth to joint-second on Scotland’s all-time try-scorer list with four touchdowns in a resounding 84-0 victory over Romania which sets up a mouth-watering Rugby World Cup shootout with Ireland next weekend.

The Scots ran in six tries in each half in Lille to inflict another demoralising defeat on their opponents, who were similarly outclassed by both Ireland and South Africa in their first two matches in Pool B.

Graham, who started the evening on 20 international tries, wreaked the most damage on the eastern European minnows as his first-half hat-trick and another after the break took him ahead of both Duhan van der Merwe and Chris Paterson and up to 24.

The prolific Edinburgh wing is now level with Tony Stanger and Ian Smith, and just three shy of record-holder and fellow Hawick native Stuart Hogg, who recently ended his career on 27.

The Scots were so confident of getting the result they required at Stade Pierre Mauroy that they made 13 changes from the side that started against Tonga the previous Sunday, preserving most of their A-listers for the Ireland match in Paris which they must win with a bonus point or by denying their opponents one in order to reach the quarter-finals.

Follow live reaction from Scotland vs Romania below and get all the Rugby World Cup odds here

34’ – TRY! Scotland 28-0 Romania

Darcy Graham with another try, and Scotland have the bonus point!

Scotland move it well from one side of the pitch to another, with great play from Harris who holds his position well before allowing Graham to go over in the corner.

Healy slots the conversion, before we’re told that the first Romanian yellow will remain a yellow.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:43

32’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania

Replacements

Ashman attempted to drive out from the back of the maul but knocks on just before the line!

A substitution follows for Romania, with Bardasu on for Rupanu.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:39

31’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania

Yellow Card

Scotland claim a try but TMO say there’s no clear grounding. On replay, it’s definitely grounded short, but the referee wants to look at a previous maul. Barnes awards a yellow to Rosu for coming in at the side.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:36

30’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania

Yellow Card

There’s a TMO review for a challenge from Irimescu, and he’s given a yellow card. The shoulder definitely hit the head there, and it’ll be reviewed.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:33

28’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania

Close!

Another maul sees Ashman break the gain-line, and the ball is worked through the midfield before Smith looks like he’s in for a certain try, but he fails to catch it.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:29

24’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania

An irritating drop from Healy and Romania have a scrum near the Scotland 22’.

They work it well with some powerful running from Tomane, and Romania enter the 22’ for the first time. however, he’s penalised for holding on.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:26

21’ – TRY! Scotland 21-0 Romania

Scintillating from Darcy Graham.

He comes in from the blindside of the scrum, and he has the pace to outrun the chasers and the agility to step the onrushing last man.

He goes in near under the posts and it’s an easy conversion.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:23

17’ – TRY! Scotland 14-0 Romania

A lovely try from the Scots as they work the maul well.

Price recycles it and Healy draws the man to release Graham. He does the majority of the running before shipping it back to Ali Price, who takes it over the line.

The conversion is easy and that’s 14-0.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:19

13’ – Scotland 7-0 Romania

Some excellent running from Sebastian gets Scotland within the Romania half, but the chance is wasted after some holding on in the next ruck.

Romania had wasted a decent opportunity just before, but now have a line-out in the Scotland half.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:14

8’ – TRY! Scotland 7-0 Romania

First try of the day!

Romania were defending quite well, with Scotland failing to gain much ground in attack until a good carry from Bhatti.

Redpath finds some space and carries well through the Romanian line, offloading well to Watson who takes it over in the corner.

Ben Healy does well to convert.

Chris Wilson30 September 2023 20:10

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