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Scotland vs Romania LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Darcy Graham stars in thrashing
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: Latest Rugby World Cup updates
TRY! SCOTLAND 7-0 Romania (Watson try, 8 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 14-0 Romania (Price try, 17 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 21-0 Romania (Graham try, 21 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 28-0 Romania (Graham try, 34 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 35-0 Romania (Fagerson try, 38 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 42-0 Romania (Graham try, 39 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 49-0 Romania (Harris try, 45 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 56-0 Romania (Smith try, 52 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 63-0 Romania (Healy try, 58 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 70-0 Romania (Matthews try, 71 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 77-0 Romania (Darge try, 73 minutes)
TRY! SCOTLAND 84-0 Romania (Graham try, 78 minutes)
FULL-TIME – Scotland 84-0 Romania
Four-try Darcy Graham helps Scotland thrash Romania and set up Ireland showdown
22:45 , Karl Matchett
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.
Full report:
Four-try Darcy Graham helps Scotland thrash Romania and set up Ireland showdown
FULL-TIME – Scotland 84-0 Romania
22:40 , Karl Matchett
Scotland record their third-largest win ever
The score of 84-0 is the third-greatest margin that Scotland have ever won by. It narrowly missed out on second place, which came with a 89-0 over the Ivory Coast in the 1995 World Cup.
Their biggest ever margin was a 92-point win in a 100-8 result against Japan in 2004.
FULL-TIME – Scotland 84-0 Romania
22:35 , Chris Wilson
Graham runs up scoring charts
With his single second-half try, Darcy Graham pulls up to joint-second in the list of Scotland’s all-time top try-scorers.
He has 24 in 38 caps, and needs four more to gain the record outright. Something tells me he won’t get four against Ireland next week, but who knows?
FULL-TIME – Scotland 84-0 Romania
22:30 , Chris Wilson
Graham reacts
Darcy Graham says the dressing room is buzzing, adding that it was nice to climb up the try-scoring boards.
On the game against Ireland, he says that they need to focus on recovery and “getting our game right”.
He says they’re excited ahead of the crunch tie.
FULL-TIME – Scotland 84-0 Romania
22:19 , Chris Wilson
Townsend speaks to media
Gregor Townsend credits his players and their attitudes, calling it “a professional job”.
“I thought the individual tries, and more importantly the teamwork, were excellent”, he said, going on to praise Romania’s physicality.
Regarding Ireland, he says that Scotland have to produce “one of our best ever performances”.
“It’ll be a cracking game, [at the] Stade de France...I hope to see everyone again next week”.
FULL-TIME – Scotland 84-0 Romania
22:13 , Chris Wilson
Pool B makes for interesting reading, with Scotland currently in third place on 10 points.
South Africa are currently in second, although they also have 10 points. They play Tonga tomorrow evening.
Ireland are top of the group on 14 points, and are on fine form.
Scotland will need a huge performance to get a positive result – they’ll be hoping Darcy Graham performs in the same vein as today.
FULL-TIME – Scotland 84-0 Romania
22:02 , Chris Wilson
With South Africa looking nailed on for a win against Tonga tomorrow, Scotland will likely need to beat Ireland in order to qualify.
Ireland are one of the on-form teams at the tournament and one of the favourites, having beaten South Africa in impressive fashion last week.
80 + 4’: FULL-TIME – Scotland 84-0 Romania
21:55 , Chris Wilson
And that is that. A valiant effort at times from Romania, but Scotland get the bonus point they needed – and some – with the added benefit of a huge addition to their points difference.
They head into that showdown with Ireland in good spirits. That game kicks-off at 8pm on Saturday, 7 October.
80’ – Scotland 84-0 Romania
21:53 , Chris Wilson
Romania are ending by building some decent phases, moving from their own 22’ to halfway. They have a penalty here; they’re not quitting before getting something.
Line-out near Scotland’s five-metre line.
77’ – TRY! Scotland 84-0 Romania
21:49 , Chris Wilson
Scotland continue to apply pressure, and there’s another crunching tackle on Healy from Simionescu.
Horne picks up and runs across before offloading the ball behind himself to the onrushing Graham, who goes over under the posts. Easy conversion.
73’ – TRY! Scotland 77-0 Romania
21:45 , Chris Wilson
Straight away, Scotland get the 11th.
Another breakaway – Romania are really tired now – and replacement forward Rory Darge goes over.
George Horne converts this one.
71’ – TRY! Scotland 70-0 Romania
21:42 , Chris Wilson
And Scotland turn it around just like that. Kinghorn breaks through a tired Romanian defensive line before passing to Horne, who quickly offloads for Matthews. No challenge again, and Healy converts for 70-0.
68’ – Scotland 63-0 Romania
21:40 , Chris Wilson
Romania are wasteful from the line-out, and after a bit of testing the Scotland line, we have another line-out in a similar position, this time for Scotland.
However, Romania have the ball again and are probing. They’re within the Scottish 22’, but lose the ball and Healy kicks for a line-out near halfway.
64’ – Scotland 63-0 Romania
21:33 , Chris Wilson
Scotland’s turn to do some defending here!
Romania continue with pick-and-go’s and short passes to the forwards, but it is eventually held up by a resolute Scotland defence.
Romania have a penalty and kick to touch.
58’ – TRY! Scotland 63-0 Romania
21:27 , Chris Wilson
Another one, this time from esteemed kicker Healy.
Scotland are having fun now. Fagerson makes a break through another uneven defensive line, before Healy does the same. On the offload, the ball just goes forward.
But Scotland come again, with sustained possession over the halfway. It’s a good team try, with Graham dodging one before shipping it to Healy, He continues, steps inside and goes over under the posts before converting.
There’s still over a quarter of the game to go.
52’ – TRY! Scotland 56-0 Romania
21:22 , Chris Wilson
A strange try, as it comes from a Romanian break. They kick Smith picks up unchallenged.
The follow-up chase is badly splintered and Smith easily runs through it. He’s taken down just before the line but is smart enough to recover, get back to feet and finish.
Healy converts AGAIN. 56-0, and we have a rout.
50’ – Scotland 49-0 Romania
21:16 , Chris Wilson
Bhatti is again denied a try as he clearly falls short, but Scotland work the ball to the opposite end easily.
However, Romania do well to defend and Scotland are penalised for holding on.
45’ – TRY! Scotland 49-0 Romania
21:12 , Chris Wilson
Another try after Redpath collects a cross-field kick from Healy and offloads it to Harris, who has the try his performance deserved. A little too easy that one.
Healy converts and it’s seven out of seven.
41’ – Scotland 42-0 Romania
21:07 , Chris Wilson
Kick-off!
The second half is underway and it begins with a knock-on from Fagerson.
HALF-TIME: Scotland 42-0 Romania
21:03 , Chris Wilson
Those tries put Darcy Graham on fourth on Scotland’s list of all-time top try scorers, with 23 tries in 38 caps.
Former full-back Stuart Hogg, who retired earlier this year, currently holds the record, with 27 in his 100 caps.
HALF-TIME: Scotland 42-0 Romania
20:57 , Chris Wilson
Romania weren’t as poor as the scoreline suggests, but those yellow cards were really telling in the last few minutes of that half.
Some poor tackles at the end, and they paid the price.
Scotland, on the other hand, are flying here. Graham has been the pick of the bunch, but Ashman and Bhatti have seemingly been everywhere and Price, Harris and Healy have done some terrific work.
39’ – TRY! Scotland 42-0 Romania
20:50 , Chris Wilson
Darcy Graham has a first-half hat-trick!
Chris Harris breaks the gain-line with a nice hand-off, and then ships it to Ali Price, who was supporting well. He quickly offloads to Graham, who has acres of space as he goes over.
Another Healy conversion and we go into half-time at 42-0.
38’ – TRY! Scotland 35-0 Romania
20:48 , Chris Wilson
Scotland continue to work it well across the field, and Smith is on the receiving end of a heavy challenge from Simionescu near the line.
It’s shipped to Matt Fagerson, who goes over unchallenged. Healy converts easily.
Simionescu’s challenge is reviewed by TMO, and he’s yellow carded. It was clearly high.
34’ – TRY! Scotland 28-0 Romania
20:43 , Chris Wilson
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.
32’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania
20:39 , Chris Wilson
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.
31’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania
20:36 , Chris Wilson
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.
30’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania
20:33 , Chris Wilson
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.
28’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania
20:29 , Chris Wilson
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.
24’ – Scotland 21-0 Romania
20:26 , Chris Wilson
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.
21’ – TRY! Scotland 21-0 Romania
20:23 , Chris Wilson
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.
17’ – TRY! Scotland 14-0 Romania
20:19 , Chris Wilson
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.
13’ – Scotland 7-0 Romania
20:14 , Chris Wilson
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.
8’ – TRY! Scotland 7-0 Romania
20:10 , Chris Wilson
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.
5’ – Scotland 0-0 Romania
20:06 , Chris Wilson
Skinner with a disappointing drop after Darcy Graham had done very well to find a gap after catching the loose ball, with Scotland losing the first line-out.
Romania do well from the scrum, with number eight Chirica finding space. They win a penalty from the resulting ruck.
3’ – Scotland 0-0 Romania
20:03 , Chris Wilson
Scotland are dominating so far, working it nicely in midfield.
Romania are defending well enough, though Scotland have an early penalty.
Kick-off! Scotland 0-0 Romania
20:01 , Chris Wilson
Going though the national anthems now as kick-off approaches, with the Stade Pierre Mauroy in fine voice.
Romania get us underway, with Scotland needing a convincing win to set up a qualification showdown with Ireland in Paris.
Wayne Barnes is today’s referee.
Scotland vs Romania - LIVE
19:57 , Chris Wilson
A reminder of the starting lineups as we approach kick-off, with Scotland needing a big win.
Scotland XV: Jamie Bhatti, Ewan Ashman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist (captain), Luke Crosbie, Hamish Watson (vc), Matt Fagerson; Ali Price, Ben Healy; Kyle Steyn, Cameron Redpath, Chris Harris, Darcy Graham; Ollie Smith.
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, George Horne, Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones.
Romania XV: Alexandru Savin, Robert Irimescu, Gheorghe Gajion; Adrian Motoc, Stefan Iancu; Florian Rosu, Dragos Ser, Cristian Chirica (captain); Gabriel Rupanu, Alin Conache; Taliauli Sikuea, Fonovai Tangimana, Jason Tomane, Sioeli Lama; Marius Simionescu.
Replacements: Florin Bardasu, Iulian Hartig, Costel Burtila, Marius Iftimiciuc, Damian Stratila; Florin Surugiu, Tudor Boldor, Nicholas Onutu.
Scotland vs Romania - Key talking points
19:51 , Jamie Braidwood
Scots need big win ahead of Ireland
Nothing less than a comprehensive victory will do for Scotland as they bid to stay on course for qualification for the quarter-finals ahead of what is shaping up to be a critical showdown with Ireland in Paris next Saturday. The Scots need to win with four tries this weekend to get the bonus point they require, which is something they should do with little trouble given that they touched down seven times against Tonga last weekend, while Ireland and South Africa put 82 and 76 points respectively on the Romanians. In addition to getting the bonus point, a swashbuckling attacking performance and a heavy scoreline would be desirable to ensure a degree of buoyancy is maintained ahead of the Ireland match.
Opportunities for fringe men
The starting quartet of Hamish Watson, Luke Crosbie, Javan Sebastian and Ben Healy are getting their first action of this World Cup after being idle for the first two games, while six others – Ali Price, Cam Redpath, Ollie Smith, Jamie Bhatti, Ewan Ashman and Sam Skinner – have been handed their first start of the tournament. With Scotland boasting a relatively established starting XV these days, this is an opportunity for several players on the periphery of the squad to showcase their abilities and try to push themselves further up the pecking order, possibly even playing their way into contention for the Ireland game.
Scotland vs Romania - LIVE
19:39 , Jamie Braidwood
Javan Sebastian admitted to being “a bit overwhelmed” about the prospect of making his first start for Scotland at a World Cup after bouncing back from a “dark” spell working as a butcher when he feared his professional rugby career was over.
After failing to earn a contract in 2016, the Wales-born prop had to drop into the semi-pro ranks and got a job as a butcher in Carmarthen to make ends meet.
At that point, resigned to the likelihood that it was not to be for him at the top end of the game, Sebastian could never have envisaged he would go on to represent Scotland – the nation of his father’s birth – at a World Cup in France.
Javan Sebastian: Spell in the ‘normal’ world gave me impetus to succeed in rugby
Scotland vs Romania - LIVE
19:36 , Jamie Braidwood
Scott Cummings described Gregor Townsend as “a massive influence” on his career as he savours his second World Cup under the Scotland head coach.
The 26-year-old lock has enjoyed the most significant moments of his rugby journey under the man currently in charge of the national team.
Townsend was the Glasgow head coach when Cummings broke through and made his debut at club level as a teenager in 2015.
Two years later – and just months after landing the Scotland job – he gave the Warriors second-rower his first full international call-up for the Autumn Tests in 2017.
Townsend then handed Cummings his first cap in the summer of 2019 and took him to his first World Cup that year in Japan, where he made four appearances, aged 22.
The dependable Warriors forward has remained involved throughout the head coach’s reign and – although not always a starter – has accumulated 31 caps, two of which came in the opening matches of this World Cup against South Africa and Tonga.
Scotland’s Scott Cummings full of praise for ‘massive influence’ Gregor Townsend
Scotland vs Romania - LIVE
19:23 , Jamie Braidwood
Gregor Townsend has called on his Scotland stand-ins to seize their chance to impress against Romania on Saturday and play their way into contention for involvement in what is shaping up to be a box-office showdown with Ireland.
“It’s hard when you’re training to show what you can do at the World Cup,” he said. “We put a lot on what players have done for us in the past and players have been training well, so we know they are in really good physical shape.
“But the best way to influence selection is to play well. The performance against Tonga was an improvement on South Africa and we’re looking to get better than we were against Tonga. This group have the opportunity to do that now.
“Saturday will be hugely influential. We’ve gone with a similar team now for four or five games. There have been one or two changes here or there, but within that the core of that group have played since the France home game (in early August).
“But the other players have an opportunity and they know this is the final opportunity they will get before we play Ireland.
“The decisions before South Africa, before Tonga, and going back to before the France home and away games, were tight already in a few positions, so if players play well it will be a much longer selection meeting on Monday night, I’m sure.”
Rugby World Cup permutations: Which teams can qualify for quarter-finals?
19:10 , Jamie Braidwood
The Rugby World Cup is hotting up as teams seek to secure their places in the quarter-finals.
The top two nations from each of the four pools will progress to the last eight, with the quarter-finals to be played on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 October in Marseille and Paris.
In the event of a two-way tie, the nation that won the encounter between the two teams will progress; in the event of a three-way tie, the nation that finishes with the best points difference will finish on top, followed by the team that won the fixture between the two remaining teams.
Teams receive four points for a win, with a bonus point available for scoring four tries or more. A losing bonus point is received if you finish within seven points of your opponents; a draw is worth two points.
The third spot in each pool is crucial, too – while this will not allow teams further involvement at this year’s World Cup, it will secure automatic qualification for the next tournament in Australia in 2027.
Rugby World Cup permutations: Which teams can qualify for quarter-finals?
Scotland vs Romania - Line-ups!
19:00 , Chris Wilson
Scotland XV: Jamie Bhatti, Ewan Ashman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Grant Gilchrist (captain), Luke Crosbie, Hamish Watson (vc), Matt Fagerson; Ali Price, Ben Healy; Kyle Steyn, Cameron Redpath, Chris Harris, Darcy Graham; Ollie Smith.
Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Rory Sutherland, WP Nel, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, George Horne, Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones.
Romania XV: Alexandru Savin, Robert Irimescu, Gheorghe Gajion; Adrian Motoc, Stefan Iancu; Florian Rosu, Dragos Ser, Cristian Chirica (captain); Gabriel Rupanu, Alin Conache; Taliauli Sikuea, Fonovai Tangimana, Jason Tomane, Sioeli Lama; Marius Simionescu.
Replacements: Florin Bardasu, Iulian Hartig, Costel Burtila, Marius Iftimiciuc, Damian Stratila; Florin Surugiu, Tudor Boldor, Nicholas Onutu.
Scotland vs Romania - LIVE
18:50 , Chris Wilson
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.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the event, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are and also with the terms of their service provider.
Scotland vs Romania - Romania team news
18:41 , Chris Wilson
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
18:37 , Chris Wilson
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
18:30 , Chris Wilson
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.
