Edinburgh enjoy Euro record try spree to rout Romanians

EDINBURGH produced a record-breaking European Challenge Cup performance in Romania yesterday with nine tries, including hat-tricks apiece for Stuart McInally and Nasi Manu, plus two touchdowns for new Fijian debutant Viliame ‘Bill’ Mata.

In the city that sparked the 1989 Romania uprising, Edinburgh head coach Duncan Hodge elected for a revolution of his own with 11 changes from the side that thrashed Benetton Treviso in the Guinness Pro12 last week.

‘A lot of guys deserved a run in the team and got one,’ said Hodge.

‘It was important to put down a marker. We have been short of confidence, so it was good that we got two great team tries from the first two possessions. That settled a few nerves.

‘We played well in the first half, although our defence was not brilliant but they were better in the second half. We then made a lot of changes and things got a bit disjointed, so there is stuff to work on.’

Timisoara seemed overawed by their opponents and conceded three tries before they had properly warmed up.

Fijian Olympic gold medal winner Mata was quickly in the heart of the action, finding his captain McInally, who put Michael Allen over for the opening score.

Two minutes later and Mata was running over the line himself as he supported a break by Junior Rasolea down the wing.

The home side were up against it at this early stage — even more so when McInally got himself at the back of a driven line out and claimed the third try.

The Romanians were much better going forward and did raise a cheer when wing Stephen Sheenan went over for a try after Jack Umaga created space for him with a fine pass.

But Edinburgh hit back quickly and decisively.

McInally clinched his hattrick with two tries before Manu claimed his first two touchdowns for the club.

His opener came after Mata again created mayhem and the second followed a flowing handling move.

He then went on to complete his hat-trick.

The second half was a much more sedate affair, with the Romanians coming more into the game.

However, they could not stop Mata collecting his second try after stealing the ball at the back of a line-out.

And then Manu completed his treble and his team’s scoring spree, barging over from a tap penalty.

Timisoara got some pride back with the final score of the game, Sheenan again finishing off after a long period of attacking play that had seen them twice held up at the line.

But it was only a slight blot on the Edinburgh joy, with the Scots convincing winners.