The messaging emanating from the Scotland camp was to shift it up a gear forward of their high-stakes encounter in opposition to an imperious Eire aspect in Paris subsequent week.
Towards a ragged Romania they did simply that, blowing The Oaks away in a 12-try annihilation which was studded by 4 scores from the formidable Darcy Graham. Following their trampling of Tonga final week, they’ll march on to the French capital for his or her do-or-die encounter in opposition to their Six Nations rivals emboldened by this momentum.
With one eye on that winner-takes-all encounter, it was no shock that Gregor Townsend despatched out a Scotland second string. From the get-go, they posed an excessive amount of for a aspect that had conceded 158 factors and scored simply eight of their first two pool outings, with Scotland’s 42-point lead by half-time the most important of their historical past.
It was Hamish Watson who opened the onslaught after Cameron Redpath snake-hipped his manner by means of a sea of yellow shirts earlier than popping a elegant one-handed offload as much as the again row. From that time onwards, it turned a recreation of what number of occasions The Oaks may very well be carved open.
Watson, who has had torrid luck with harm throughout his worldwide profession – having had this 2015 World Cup cruelly led to Scotland’s opening recreation – was phenomenal all through. His time on the sidelines may need seen him lose his place within the again row to former Australian Jack Dempsey, however on this proof he actually caught an arm as much as function subsequent week.
In the meantime Ben Healy, considered one of 13 modifications Townsend ringed for this encounter, confirmed actual promise filling Finn Russell’s massive boots at fly-half on simply his fourth Take a look at cap. The Tipperary-born playmaker was instrumental within the construct as much as Scotland’s second, releasing Darcy Graham into acres of house in a glitzy transfer that was completed off by Ali Worth. Moments later, Graham drifted off his wing and blitzed by means of Romania’s porous defence to place Scotland three tries to the great.
Issues may hardly have gotten any worse for The Oaks, however they did. At one level that they had 12 males on the pitch on account of their very own indiscipline. Robert Irimescu, Romania’s hooker, was proven a yellow – which the bunker dominated would keep a yellow – for direct head-to-head contact on Healy. Florian Rosu joined him three minutes later for illegally infringing Scotland’s looking out maul.
Amid the drama, Graham scampered in to bag the all-important bonus-point earlier than one other rating from Matt Fagerson after savvy part play teased out one other unlawful shoulder hit to the top, this time from winger Marius Simionescu on Ollie Smith. He additionally returned after the bunker dominated the deal with was worthy of a yellow card.
Romania had been powerless to cease the rot after the break, with Chris Harris and Ollie Smith crossing the whitewash as Scotland’s electrical backline continued to run Romania ragged. Healy, who was impeccable from the tee, acquired a deserved attempt of his personal simply shy of the hour mark.
Although not mathematically unimaginable, Scotland face an uphill battle to qualify for the final eight after slumping to defeat in opposition to the Springboks of their event opener. If they’ll bottle this momentum and unleash it in opposition to the world’s most in-form aspect subsequent Saturday, who is aware of what may occur.
Match particulars
Scores 5-0 Watson attempt, 7-0 Healy con, 12-0 Worth attempt, 14-0 Healy con, 19-0 Graham attempt, 21-0 Healy con, 26-0 Graham attempt, 28-0 Healy con, 33-0 Fagerson attempt, 35-0 Healy con, 40-0 Graham attempt, 42-0 Healy con, 47-0 Harris attempt, 49-0 Healy con, 54-0 Smith attempt, 56-0 Healy con, 61-0 Healy attempt, 63-0 Healy con, 68-0 Matthews attempt, 70-0 Healy con, 75-0 Darge attempt, 77-0 Healy con, 82-0 Graham attempt, 84-0 Healy con
Scotland O Smith (B Kinghorn 59), D Graham, C Harris (H Jones 65), C Redpath, Ok Steyn; B Healy, A Worth (G Horne 55); J Bhatti (J Matthews 59), E Ashman (R Sutherland 59), J Sebastian (WP Nel 59); S Skinner, G Gilchrist (S Cummings 59), L Crosbie, H Watson (R Darge 65), M Fagerson.
Romania M Simionescu; S Lama, J Tomane, F Tangimana (N Onutu 57), T Sikuea; A Conache (T Boldor 53), G Rupanu (F Surugiu 61); A Savin (I Hartig 51), R Irimescu (F Bardasu 59), G Gajion (C Burtila 57) ; A Motoc, S Iancu (M Iftimiciuc 61); F Rosu, D Ser, C Chirica (D Stratila 39)
Yellow playing cards: Irimescu 29, Rosu 31, Simionescu 38
Referee: W Barnes (ENG)
