Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Scotland need 'one of their best' against Ireland, says Gregor Townsend after Romania win

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Saturday, 30 September 2023 15:36

Scotland will require one of their "best ever performances" if they are to beat Ireland and reach the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup, says head coach Gregor Townsend.

Scotland scored 12 tries to hammer Romania 84-0 in Lille and earn the bonus point they needed to set up a showdown with Ireland at Stade de France on 7 October.

With South Africa likely to take five points from their match with Tonga on Sunday, Scotland would need to beat Andy Farrell's side while also denying them a bonus point in order to reach the knockout stages.

"We knew we had to win this game to still be in the World Cup, and a bonus point means we know what we need to do next week," Townsend said on ITV.

"We've got to produce probably our best performance of the year, one of our best ever performances. That's the whole goal of why we work in training, what we've learned this year. We have to bring that out for 80 minutes."

Scotland were rampant on the night, admittedly against a Romania side who offered very little, but Townsend was delighted with the way his players approached the task in hand.

"Their attitude all week has been excellent and they did a professional job," he added. "It was hard work, physical, the ground was wet, but some of the individual tries, and more importantly the teamwork, was excellent.

"There was a togetherness in the squad. The players realised they have to produce quick ball, Romania would come out and take the game to us. They were very physical at times.

"We just stuck to our task, whether there were players off with yellow cards, whether we'd just scored, or whether we'd gone through a fallow period. That focus was really good to see."

'One of the best in the world' - Graham steals the show

With four tries, 211 metres made and 14 defenders beaten, Darcy Graham took all the plaudits for his try-scoring blitz, as he climbed to joint second on Scotland's all-time try-scoring list and became just the second man, after Gavin Hastings, to score four tries in a single World Cup game.

Scotland great Scott Hastings called him "scintillating", and added that he "has a relish for that tryline", while Graham's former team-mate Greig Laidlaw described him as "one of the best in the world for stepping in tight spaces".

Graham himself was humble after the game, choosing to praise the team's collective performance rather than focusing on his individual achievements.

"I got through lots of work today - we spoke about being disciplined, keeping hold of the ball, sticking to our game and things will fall into place," he said. "The boys did that well and I'm proud of them tonight.

"We just wanted to get this game out the way, get the five points and fire into Ireland. We're going to go to Paris all guns blazing and put in our best performance. Time to rest up and kick on."

Read 60 times

Soccer

PSG clinch Ligue 1 title for 10th time in 13 years

PSG clinch Ligue 1 title for 10th time in 13 years

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsParis Saint-Germain have clinched the Ligue 1 title after AS Monaco...

Thousands line streets for Inter Milan title parade

Thousands line streets for Inter Milan title parade

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThousands of fans lined the streets on Sunday as Inter Milan parade...

Haaland on target as Man City overcome Forest, continue push for title

Haaland on target as Man City overcome Forest, continue push for title

Manchester City took another step in their bid to win a fourth consecutive Premier League title with...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Kawhi (knee) out for G4, no timetable for return

Kawhi (knee) out for G4, no timetable for return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKawhi Leonard is out for Game 4 of the LA Clippers' first-round ser...

Bucks to be without Giannis, Lillard for Game 4

Bucks to be without Giannis, Lillard for Game 4

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMilwaukee Bucks stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have...

Baseball

Inside job: Langford rushes home for 1st MLB HR

Inside job: Langford rushes home for 1st MLB HR

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsARLINGTON, Texas -- Wyatt Langford's first big league homer was a m...

Marlins OF Garcia put on IL with hamstring injury

Marlins OF Garcia put on IL with hamstring injury

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Miami Marlins placed right fielder Avisail Garcia on the 10-day...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated