Scotland will be looking for the full five-point haul and to keep their play-off hopes alive when they take on Pool B whipping boys Romania on Saturday evening at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Scotland v Romania
Saturday 31 September
Stade Pierre Mauroy
Scotland 1/150 | Draw 22/1 | Romania 14/1
While the ‘Scots will have one eye on their decisive clash with the Irish, they will know they need to get the job done against Romania and run up a big score against the Eastern European minnows as points differential may well decide which team gets out of Pool B.
Gregor Townend’s outfit are currently playing catch up at the moment as they sit five points behind South Africa. They do have a game in hand, however, but with South Africa having already beaten them and also played Ireland, the ‘Scots are well and truly outsiders to advance to the next phase of the competition.
While Townsend knows his side need a big win here, he is still likely to make a few changes in a bid to have his big guns fit and firing for next Saturday’s crucial clash with the Irish. As such, we’re likely to see a number of changes, especially in the backline with the likes of Finn Russell and Duhan van der Merwe unlikely to be risked for the Romania fixture.
Romania were always going to endure a tough old tournament with a number of their senior players left at home due to injury or other reasons. This has been the case with Romania hammered 82-8 by Ireland in their opener and then 76-0 by South Africa in their second fixture. It could get ugly here again, with the ‘Scots an attack-minded side who won’t be afraid to give the ball some air.
Romania have been pretty dire apart from their opening five minutes against Ireland. I reckon it’ll be another long old 80-minutes for the Eastern Europeans this Saturday.
Verdict: Scotland (-57.5) 17/20
