Scotland will be looking to get their campaign off to the right start and make a statement to their other Pool B opponents England, Argentina that they can lay claim to a spot in the quarter finals. The Scots come into this tournament on the back of a poor showing in the Six Nations, managing just one win in their last match against Italy and four losses before that, but bring an experienced side that should comfortably account for Romania.
Eight changes have been made to Andy Robinson's team since their last win over Italy just three weeks ago. The front row has been completely re-jigged while Richie Gray comes in for Nathan Hines in the second row. The backs see just wings Simon Danielli and Max Evans retained while halfback Mike Blair keeps Chris Cuister at bay for now, as he takes bench spot. Veteran Scotland fullback Chris Patterson wins his 106th Test cap and becomes the first Scotsman to play at four Rugby World Cups.
Romania produced solid form throughout the recent European Nations Cup though losses to Georgia and Portugal show they remain down the pecking order amongst the European teams.Romania coach Romeo Gontineac is optimistic in assessing his sides chances but stressed his side would need to match the Scots right across the park, "We have very strong forwards but if we win this game it will be as a team."
Scotland V Romania at Rugby Park in Invercargill at 1:00pm
Head to Head: Played 12: Romania 2, Scotland 10
Last clash: Scotland beat Romania 42-0 at Murrayfield at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Head to Head: Played 12: Romania 2, Scotland 10
Last clash: Scotland beat Romania 42-0 at Murrayfield at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
Scotland Team: Chris Paterson, Max Evans, Joe Ansbro, Sean Lamont, Simon Danielli, Ruaridh Jackson, Mike Blair, Richie Vernon, John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Alastair Kellock (c), Richie Gray, Geoff Cross, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen
Reserves: Scott Lawson, Alasdair Dickinson, Nathan Hines, Ross Rennie, Chris Cusiter, Dan Parks, Rory Lamont
Romania Team: Mihaita Alexandru Lazar, Marius Tincu (c), Paulica Ion, Valentin Neculai Ursache, Cristian Constantin Petre, Mihai Macovei, Ovidiu Tonita, Daniel Carpo, Lucian Mihai Sirbu, Marin Danut Dumbrava, Madalin Vlad Lemnaru, Tiberius Ionut Dimofte, Csaba Minya Gal, Stefan Eugen Ciuntu, Iulian Dumitras
Reserves: Bogdan Zebega Suman, Silviu Florea, Valentin Poparlan, Sandu Stelian Burcea, Florin Surugiu, Ionel Cazan, Florin Adrian Vlaicu
Reserves: Scott Lawson, Alasdair Dickinson, Nathan Hines, Ross Rennie, Chris Cusiter, Dan Parks, Rory Lamont
Romania Team: Mihaita Alexandru Lazar, Marius Tincu (c), Paulica Ion, Valentin Neculai Ursache, Cristian Constantin Petre, Mihai Macovei, Ovidiu Tonita, Daniel Carpo, Lucian Mihai Sirbu, Marin Danut Dumbrava, Madalin Vlad Lemnaru, Tiberius Ionut Dimofte, Csaba Minya Gal, Stefan Eugen Ciuntu, Iulian Dumitras
Reserves: Bogdan Zebega Suman, Silviu Florea, Valentin Poparlan, Sandu Stelian Burcea, Florin Surugiu, Ionel Cazan, Florin Adrian Vlaicu
