Scotland ……………………… 84pts
Tries: Watson 9, Price 17, Graham 21, 34, 40, 77; Fagerson 38, Harris 45, Smith 53, Healy 58, Matthews 71, Darge 73
Conversions: Healy 10, 18, 22, 35, 39, 40, 47, 55, 59, 71, 78; G Horne 73
Romania …………………………0pts
JOB done. Scotland's task of qualifying from Poolol B has always been herculean and almost every scenario involved them beating Ireland in their final pool game and this bonus point victory over Romania duly set that up.
Now the task is simple, at least mathematically. Scotland need to beat Ireland by eight points or more at the Stade de France while not allowing the Irish to earn a try bonus. Incredibly tough but not impossible. Furthermore they will go into that game with their confidence high and their attacking game in very good shape.
So last night in Lille they needed that win but also wanted to rest key players, so it was a fine balancing act and they performed it well.
Scotland made a bright clinical start with Hamish Watson, wanting his starting place in the Gun XV back, seemingly everywhere with his industry well rewarded in the eighth minute when he trailed Cameron Redpath and was on hand to score Scotland's opening try.
Scotland maintained the tempo and it was Ali Price who sprinted in next following outstanding work from Darcy Graham although the final pass looked a little dubious, certainly more forward than the try Romania were denied earlier in the game.
Graham was on fire though and moments later scorched in from 45 yards with a couple of sumptuous steps en route. A superb individual effort and the kind of X factor play Scotland will surely need next up against the Irish. Kyle Steyn is also in contention for that place on the wing – Duhan van der Merwe is surely inked in – so Gregor Townsend has a big call to make.
Romania weren't actually playing too badly and defended but that changed when they encountered serious card problems – three yellows in nine minutes – and Scotland pounced ruthlessly. They delivered the necessary bonus point in the 33rd minute when that man Graham again went sprinting over after good work from Chris Harris.
As half time approached it started getting very messy for Romania with two more Scotland tries, Matt Fagerson diving over and Graham completing his hat-trick.
After the break the carnage continued with short handed Romania struggling to plug the gaps. Harris was the first Scot over for a try after a cross field kick from Ben Healy caused chaos before Ollie Smith raced 70 yards after a promising Romania attack broke down to score, initially being tackled a yard short before he released the ball which enabled him to legally force his way over.
Healy who had been kicking brilliantly then got in on the act combining with Graham to score under the posts, which gave him the easiest kick of the night.
As for Romania, it's been a brutally tough tournament but at no time did they raise the white flag, they maintained their intensity and went close to scoring as they laid siege to the Scotland line.
Alas for them they couldn't convert pressure into points and before long normal service was renewed. It was time for two replacements to get in on the act with Johnny Matthews steaming in under the posts, to be followed soon after by Rory Darge. Both of course were converted by the excellent Healy.
Scotland kept coming and appropriately enough it was the busy Graham, who Townsend had surprisingly left on, who wrapped up things with a fourth try.
So Scotland are off to Paris for their night while Romania will be hoping for better things in their final game against Tonga back in Lille next week on Sunday. Don't be surprised if it's a little closer than some expect.
