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
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Your support makes all the difference.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
Scotland vs Romania - LIVE
When is Scotland vs Romania?
Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm BST at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7.15pm BST. Registered users can also watch the match for free online on ITVX.
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Scotland vs Romania - Romania team news
Just five of the Romania side that began against South Africa start again in Lille. To underline the problems that head coach Eugen Apjok is facing, regular scrum half Alin Conache is pressed into fly half duties after the tournament-ending injury to Hinckley Vaovasa, himself normally a full back but occupying the ten shirt at this World Cup.
Gabriel Pop and Taylor Gontineac have been replaced in Apjok’s 33, too, leading to changes elswhere. Tongan-born wings Taliauli Sikuea and Sioeli Lama are set for their first World Cup involvements in the back three, though Florin Surugiu ensures some experience remains in the 23 - the replacement scrum half will be 39 in December.
Scotland vs Romania – Scotland team news
Gregor Townsend has made 13 changes to his side to face Romania from the side that beat Tonga 45-17 in the previous round. Chris Harris and Kyle Steyn are the only starting returnees. Lock Grant Gilchrist is named as captain due to Jamie Ritchie’s failed head injury assessment and will start in the second row alongside Sam Skinner, who came off the bench last weekend against Tonga.
Centre Harris and openside flanker Hamish Watson have been named as vice-captains. Watson is joined by blindside flanker Luke Crosbie and number eight Matt Fagerson, while the front row is made up of Jamie Bhatti at loosehead prop, Ewan Ashman at hooker, and Javan Sebastian makes his RWC debut and first test start at tighthead. Harris will partner with Cameron Redpath in the midfield with the wings strengthened by Darcy Graham and Steyn, and Ollie Smith at fullback.
Ben Healy starts at fly-half and Ali Price is named at scrum-half. Uncapped hooker Johnny Matthews is in line to make his Scotland debut from the bench after being called into the squad as a replacement for Stuart McInally who has left the squad due to a neck injury. He’s joined on the bench by Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, George Horne, Blair Kinghorn, and Huw Jones. Alongside Sebastian, four other players make their first appearance at RWC2023 (Bhatti, Crosbie, Watson and Healy).
Scotland vs Romania - LIVE
Scotland take on Romania on Saturday looking to set up a tilt at a quarter-final spot in their final Rugby World Cup pool game against Ireland.
Gregor Townsend’s side currently sit third in Pool B on five points, and the expectation will be to take a bonus point victory against a Romanian side in real strife.
The Oaks are currently bottom of Pool B on zero points following an 82-8 loss to Ireland and a 76-0 thrashing by South Africa, and have a lost another couple of key players ahead of their third game.
With points difference potentially crucial in a three-way fight for a last eight spot, Scotland will be seeking a significant win of their own.
Follow all the build-up to Scotland vs Romania and get all the Rugby World Cup odds here.
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