Scotland would require one in all their “greatest ever performances” if they’re to beat Eire and attain 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 level they wanted to arrange a showdown with Eire at Stade de France on 7 October.
With South Africa prone to take 5 factors from their match with Tonga on Sunday, Scotland would wish to beat Andy Farrell’s aspect whereas additionally denying them a bonus level with a view to attain the knockout levels.
“We knew we needed to win this recreation to nonetheless be within the World Cup, and a bonus level means we all know what we have to do subsequent week,” Townsend stated on ITV.
“We have to provide most likely our greatest efficiency of the yr, one in all our greatest ever performances. That is the entire objective of why we work in coaching, what we have discovered this yr. We’ve to carry that out for 80 minutes.”
Scotland have been rampant on the night time, admittedly towards a Romania aspect who provided little or no, however Townsend was delighted with the way in which his gamers approached the duty in hand.
“Their angle all week has been glorious and so they did knowledgeable job,” he added. “It was onerous work, bodily, the bottom was moist, however a few of the particular person tries, and extra importantly the teamwork, was glorious.
“There was a togetherness within the squad. The gamers realised they’ve to provide fast ball, Romania would come out and take the sport to us. They have been very bodily at occasions.
“We simply caught to our process, whether or not there have been gamers off with yellow playing cards, whether or not we might simply scored, or whether or not we might gone by way of a fallow interval. That focus was actually good to see.”
‘Among the finest on the earth’ – Graham steals the present
With 4 tries, 211 metres made and 14 defenders overwhelmed, Darcy Graham took all of the plaudits for his try-scoring blitz, as he climbed to joint second on Scotland’s all-time try-scoring checklist and have become simply the second man, after Gavin Hastings, to attain 4 tries in a single World Cup recreation.
Scotland nice Scott Hastings known as him “scintillating”, and added that he “has a relish for that tryline”, whereas Graham’s former team-mate Greig Laidlaw described him as “among the best on the earth for stepping in tight areas”.
Graham himself was humble after the sport, selecting to reward the workforce’s collective efficiency slightly than specializing in his particular person achievements.
“I received by way of numerous work immediately – we spoke about being disciplined, maintaining maintain of the ball, sticking to our recreation and issues will fall into place,” he stated. “The boys did that properly and I am pleased with them tonight.
“We simply needed to get this recreation out the way in which, get the 5 factors and hearth into Eire. We’ll go to Paris all weapons blazing and put in our greatest efficiency. Time to relaxation up and kick on.”