With both Romania & USA having already solidified their places at the 2027 world cup, and current rankings unlikely to yield favourable seedings for the tournament, the stakes are relatively low. However, this will afford the respective coaching teams the opportunity to experiment tactically, give more gametime to non-starters at test level, or just go with the tried and tested to sign off the autumn internationals with a flourish.
With both Romania & USA having already solidified their places at the 2027 world cup, and current rankings unlikely to yield favourable seedings for the tournament, the stakes are relatively low. However, this will afford the respective coaching teams the opportunity to experiment tactically, give more gametime to non-starters at test level, or just go with the tried and tested to sign off the autumn internationals with a flourish.
Romania will enter this game with the justified confidence boost from beating Canada last weekend and having bested USA the last time they faced-off in 2024.
With the current uncertainty surrounding their domestic league and recent losses, the Eagles will be looking to get whatever positives they can from a dismal year. Despite this, the US have the higher ranking and a better win ratio in clashes between the two sides.
Romania: following 4 wins from the last 10 games, the Oaks will come into this test match with a better run of form, albeit against mostly emerging nations compared to what the USA have faced.
USA: have had just 1 win out of 7 this year, with an eye-watering 85 unanswered points against Scotland. But that fixture aside, they have been able to notch up a respectable points tally with some positive attacking play, however, any encouragement from this will be somewhat diluted by poor defensive performances, conceding on average 37 points a game in 2025.
For Romania: forwards will build a solid attacking platform from the set piece, but Alin Conache (scrum half), with his vision to exploit space and dependability from the tee against Canada will be a key player for the Oaks.
For USA: while defensively average, rapid attacking play has been their shining light of the season, with Toby Fricker (wing) & Besag (centre) both scoring in recent outings, the backs will be pivotal for the USA in this game.
Romania’s set-piece vs USA’s defence: Romania will utilise their dependable platform in scrums and lineouts to gain territory pin USA back in their own 22 to exploit defensive vulnerabilities.
USA’s attack vs Romania’s breakdown: success in open play from speedy attack and quick offloads will be crucial for the USA. Romania will look to assert physical dominance at the breakdown and disrupt USA’s attacking tempo by slowing down distribution of the ball.
Taking home advantage into consideration, recent form and Romania establishing growth as a Tier 2 nations and the USA’s poor form, defensive woes and the crumbling MLR, Romania will be my favourite to win.
Predicted result: Romania to win by around 5-7 points.
Romania to impose themselves in the set piece to gain territory and kickable penalties for Conache.
USA will aim to be relentless in attack by recycling the ball quickly, in order to get it in the hands of their playmakers.
If Romania are to seal it: Dominance in scrums/lineouts to gain territory. Turnover or at least slow USA’s ball at the breakdown to slow down attack.
If USA are to return to winning ways: accurate offloads whilst spreading play out wide to open gaps in Romania’s defensive line
