12 years have passed since Scotland and Romania last met but remarkably there is still a playing connection with the sides that faced off at Rugby Park in Invercargill at the 2011 RWC. While Scotland have rested Richie Gray (who started at lock back then), Romania’s replacement scrum half, Florin Surugiu is filling the same role he did 4,404 days ago.
In September 2011, when he was sprung from the bench, Surugiu faced off against Mike Blair before Scotland’s own replacement, Chris Cusiter took over. The Bucharest Wolves player will turn 39 before the knockout stages of this tournament have even begun. It’s an incredible age to still be playing international rugby, particularly as a back. For context, Surugiu is 5 years older than Scotland’s Attack Coach, Pete Horne! WP Nel will be happy not to be the oldest player involved for a change…
13 changes to Scotland’s starting XV from last Test (v Tonga)
- 15 – Smith for Kinghorn
- 14 – Graham for van der Merwe
- 12 – Redpath for Tuipulotu
- 10 – Healy for Russell
- 9 – Price for White
- 1 – Bhatti for Sutherland
- 2 – Ashman for Turner
- 3 – Sebastian for Z. Fagerson
- 4 – Skinner for Gray
- 5 – Gilchrist for Cummings
- 6 – Crosbie for Ritchie
- 7 – Watson for Darge
- 8 – M. Fagerson for Dempsey
10 changes to Romania’s starting XV from last Test (v South Africa)
- 14 – Lama for Munumua
- 12 – Tangimana for Gontineac
- 11 – Sikuea for Onutu
- 10 – Conache for Vaovasa
- 1 – Savin for Hartig
- 2 – Irimescu for Cojocaru
- 3 – Gajion for Gordas
- 5 – Iancu for Iftimiciuc
- 6 – Rosu for Gorin
- 7 – Ser for Neculau
BACK 3 – ADVANTAGE SCOTLAND
| Ollie Smith Darcy Graham Kyle Steyn | 15 14 11 | Marius Simionescu Sioeli Lama* Taliauli Siuea* |
| 31 92kg 58 8 26.4 | Tries Average weight Total caps RWC matches Average age | 10 94kg 38 2 27.4 |
While the win and then the try bonus point will be priorities – and the team will undoubtedly come first – there’s no question that this is a great opportunity for Darcy Graham to take the lead over his big pal, Duhan van der Merwe, in the race for 28. The wingers have been back and forth as they attempt to overtake Stuart Hogg’s Scottish record of 27 international tries.
Graham can point to 8 scores in his last 6 appearances for Scotland and that missing 7 games through injury is what has allowed van der Merwe to sneak ahead on 21. McDuhan has 8 tries across the same spell but from 13 starts (just for completeness, Kyle Steyn has 6 in 11 games as the other wing who has been selected during this period).
CENTRES – ADVANTAGE SCOTLAND
| Chris Harris Cameron Redpath | 13 12 | Jason Tomane Fonovai Tangimana |
| 6 100kg 53 6 28.3 | Tries Average weight Total caps RWC matches Average age | 6 109kg 34 3 31.3 |
Cameron Redpath in place of Stafford McDowall is the only difference between this backline and the one that played against Italy in the first World Cup warm-up match at the end of July. All 3 of Redpath’s starts for Scotland have been alongside Chris Harris in the centre. The duo have a 100% success rate so far, from the historic win at Twickenham in 2021 and victory over Fiji last autumn.
HALF BACKS – ADVANTAGE SCOTLAND
| Ben Healy* Ali Price | 10 9 | Alin Conache Gabriel Rupanu |
| 4 92kg 67 2 27.3 | Tries Average weight Total caps RWC matches Average age | 4 75kg 33 4 23.7 |
The way Scotland play puts a lot of responsibility in the hands of the stand off – Finn Russell averages 39 passes per game so far at the RWC. While Ali Price might take on more of a leading role as the senior player in the half backs, this should still be a great opportunity for Ben Healy to set out his credentials going forward.
Adam Hastings and Ross Thompson are both on their way back from injury and the competition to back up Russell in 2024 will be fierce but Healy can keep himself at the top of that list with a good all-round performance as playmaker and kicker on Saturday.
FRONT ROW – ADVANTAGE SCOTLAND
| Jamie Bhatti Ewan Ashman Javan Sebastian | 1 2 3 | Alexandru Savin Robert Irimescu Gheorghe Gajion |
| 349kg 3 49 2 27.5 | Total weight Tries Total caps RWC matches Average age | 345kg 6 40 4 29.0 |
Rare starts for this front row trio with Jamie Bhatti in the number 1 shirt for just the 5th time in his 34 caps; Ewan Ashman starting hooker for the 3rd time in 11 outings; and a first ever Test start for Javan Sebastian after 6 appearances from the bench.
While the top picks for the game against Ireland are almost certainly locked in, the 3 starters this weekend will all still feel they have varying levels of claim to a bench spot for the pool decider. Bhatti in particular needs to respond after a strong outing by Rory Sutherland against Tonga.
SECOND ROW – ADVANTAGE SCOTLAND
| Sam Skinner Grant Gilchrist (c) | 4 5 | Adrian Motoc Stefan Iancu |
| 231kg 1 95 8 30.9 | Total weight Tries Total caps RWC matches Average age | 241kg 0 35 4 26.2 |
The rested Richie Gray will return next Saturday and take the number 4 shirt against the Irish. Beyond that, the starters versus Romania, plus Scott Cummings on the bench, are most likely battling for 2 remaining jerseys – 5 and 19.
Grant Gilchrist has been the man in possession for most of 2023 but his partnership with Gray lacks a bit in the carrying stakes – they combined for just 5 runs against South Africa. The youngest of the second rows, Cummings, will be more involved in attack but costs his side a bit of grunt at setpiece and breakdown.
There is no perfect solution given the pressure Ireland will bring to bear but if Cummings is picked to start it may be a sign that the Scots are going to go for it more by playing their own game than by trying to counter the physicality of the Irish pack.
BACK ROW – ADVANTAGE SCOTLAND
| Luke Crosbie* Hamish Watson Matt Fagerson | 6 7 8 | Florian Rosu Dragos Ser Christian Chirica (c) |
| 324kg 9 101 3 27.9 | Total weight Tries Total caps RWC matches Average age | 321kg 7 62 4 27.2 |
Unfortunate timing (of his own breakthrough, injuries and the emergence of Rory Darge) means that despite making his debut in 2015 and being Scotland’s first choice openside every year from 2016 to the start of 2023, this will be just the 2nd World Cup match that Hamish Watson will have played in.
The Edinburgh man has amassed a fine body of work over a lengthy Test career but RWCs have not been kind to him. He’s never been one to shirk a challenge and will be looking to make a significant impact on Saturday, particularly at the breakdown where Scotland have yet to really impose themselves in this tournament.
REPLACEMENT FORWARDS – ADVANTAGE SCOTLAND
| Johnny Matthews** Rory Sutherland WP Nel Scott Cummings Rory Darge | 16 17 18 19 20 | Florin Bardasu Iulian Hartig Costel Burtila Marius Iftimiciuc Damian Stratila |
| 110kg 9 130 20 29.9 | Average weight Tries Total caps RWC matches Average age | 112kg 2 68 6 28.5 |
There should be a remarkable Test debut for Johnny ‘5 tries’ Matthews after a sensational 2022/23 that saw him set a new record for tries scored in a season for Glasgow Warriors (13). The former Sedgley Park player has taken the long route to get to this point and international honours to cap this off are well deserved.
REPLACEMENT BACKS – ADVANTAGE SCOTLAND
| George Horne Blair Kinghorn Huw Jones | 21 22 23 | Florin Surugiu Tudor Boldor Nicholas Onutu |
| 37 92kg 113 10 28.1 | Tries Average weight Total caps RWC matches Average age | 9 79kg 145 9 30.8 |
George Horne will win his 25th cap, putting him in the top 10 all-time for Scottish scrum halves. This will be the 22nd of his appearances to come from the bench, with the last of his 3 starts coming 4 years ago against Russia at the 2019 World Cup. He still has a way to go to match the record for games as a sub for Scotland, held by Mike Blair on 36.
Aggregates for the 23s:
| 100 2,389kg 666 59 28.4 | Tries Total weight Total caps RWC matches Average age | 44 2,355kg 455 36 28.2 |
* RWC debut
** Test debut
Miscellany
– Victory over Tonga was the 40th of the Townsend era. The next highest tally for a Scotland head coach is 37 for Ian McGeechan (across 3 spells). Toony’s win percentage of 56% is the best across all Scotland coaches. The average for the rest of the professional era is 40%.
– 20 of Scotland’s selection played for URC clubs during 2022/23. Ewan Ashman has joined Edinburgh ahead of next season and Rory Sutherland’s future plans have not yet been confirmed. Chris Harris (Gloucester) and Cameron Redpath (Bath) are the only Exiles remaining Exiles among the lineup.
– 16 players from Romania’s 23 are with home-based clubs, including 12 who were part of the Romanian Wolves side that competed in the Rugby Europe Super Cup last season. 6 of their squad play in France – 3 in PRO D2 and 3 in the 3rd tier or lower. Robert Irimescu of Major League Rugby’s Old Glory DC rounds out the selection.
– The Scots’ world ranking of 5th is the highest position they have occupied for any fixture against Romania, while The Oaks’ rank of 19th is their lowest ahead of any match versus Scotland.
If you missed Part 1 – previous meetings, scouting report and more – check it out here.
15 Responses
I think that back 3 has potential be first choice. A good blend of try scoring prowess and rugby intelligence. Duhan and Kinghorn offer more going forward but have positional and technical weaknesses in defence. However, if it works well today it will not get full credit because of the opposition. After a flat bonus point win it would be great to see a convincing performance.
Bang-on Andrew.As skills go,VDM couldn’t hold a candle to Steyn and Kinghorn wouldn’t want to in case he got his fingers burnt.
wow .
Wow is what you’d get if Townsend had the savvy to play VDM on the right wing.Take Steyn..he has the ability to transfer the ball from arm to arm with ease in order to fend..and run straighter.VDM hasn’t and can’t because the ball’s stuck under the right arm-stymied.
did VDM not get massive praise for his ball handling in THAT try he scored vs England ? Switching it rapidly between hands to fend of some defender ?
Great win for the women. ????????.
Team for Ireland
Blair Kinghorn – Darcy Graham – Huw Jones – Sione Tuipolotu – Duhan Van Der Merwe – Finn Russell – Ben White – Jack Dempsey – Rory Darge – Jamie Ritchie (C) – Richie Gray – Scott Cummings – Zander Fagerson – George Turner – Pierre Schoeman
Cameron Redpath – George Horne – Matt Fagerson – Hamish Watson – Grant Gilchrist – WP Nel – Rory Sutherland – Ewan Ashman
I pretty much agree with all of that. I think Watson played himself into the 23 which means we need a 6-2 split (and I think that’s for the best against Ireland anyhow). I also think Bhatti played himself out of the 23 today with numerous mistakes (I think Sutherland’s a better player anyway). I’d have Gilchrist in ahead of Skinner though, and might even have Watson from the start ahead of Darge. Really tough for Steyn. who’s a great player and has done nothing wrong, but that just shows that we have a really good squad right now.
Neil, for once, agree with every word of this selection.
There is a case for Skinner over Gilchrist. Suspect Toonie won’t let Harris and Steyn drop that easy, but think Redpath should be ahead of both of them and with Jones, Kinghorn, Tui – there is is enough versatility.
I’ll be very upset if: we don’t stick with this midfield pairing; Horne and Sutherland don’t make the bench.
Could see a 5:3 is if Steyn starts and we have to find room for Darcy on the bench. But I’d start him every day of the week and twice against Ireland.
I’d ring a few changes when selecting my 23:
Smith – Graham – Jones – Redpath – VdM – Russell – White – Dempsey – Watson – Ritchie (c) – Gray – Skinner – Fagerson, Z. – Turner – Schoeman.
Kinghorn – Steyn – Horne – Fagerson, M. – Gilchrist – Nel – Sutherland – Matthews
*Assuming that Ritchie passes the return to play protocol. If he doesn’t then I’d start Dempsey at 6, bring in Matt Fagerson at 8, and add Darge to the bench. In that event, Finn would skipper the side.
Unlikely …but a 23 I think would give us a chance v Ireland…
Ollie Smith – Darcy Graham – Huw Jones – Sione Tuipolotu – Duhan Van Der Merwe – Finn Russell – George Horne – Jack Dempsey – Rory Darge – Jamie Ritchie (C) – Richie Gray – Scott Cummings – Zander Fagerson – George Turner – Pierre Schoeman
Cameron Redpath – Ali Price – Ben Healy – Matt Fagerson – Sam Skinner – Javan Sebastian – Rory Sutherland – Johnny Mathews
The hope of Tonga doing us a favour has gone. Down to us now.
We are agreed , Ireland wont give us the space to operate the way others have done. They will be all over Russel and Darcy and VDM. We need to secure ball , the game will be won in the back row therefore I think we need to do a Rassie and load the bench with forwards.
Ritchie, Mish and Dempsey to start with Skinner, Darge and M Fagerson coming on at 50 with a fresh front row. I’d have 1 lock on the bench and make Gilchrist do the full 80, Horne on the bench covering the backs.
Said it at the time of the six nations and will say it again now. Would love to see the team have another crack at Ireland – with a fit and firing Finn and Ritchie Gray.
We have to play our game: that means Finn and Tui running the show; that means Jones, Darcy and Duhan. And that means Kinghorn running and hoofing it back in equal measure. Ball in hand, and competitive up front.
Hardly would want this, but IF Ritchie fails HIA; Finn is captain; Darge steps in at 6; and Watson earns that start. Would be quite neat.
Otherwise, Watson didn’t make a Lions test start, has slowly fallen behind others for Scotland, not had a chance this World Cup – must be chomping at the bit…
Just wondering what style and shape we have planned for Ireland. Its a good test of the coaches to see if they’ve discovered and worked on something that we havent seen over the last several years against Ireland that might bring the win. Firstly we need to get the lineout working, thats been our Achilles in recent years against them. Also think we need to be more direct for a few phases before we go wide. Maybe bring Duhan in to 1st or 2nd receiver more often. The inside ball to Graham worked pretty well last night. Finally its important we keep the head, try and keep penalties as low as possible and avoid any cards.
Its not an impossible task. All winning runs come to an end. I remember when we beat England and they were on a run of 18 wins. Thats the spirit we need!