Romania shock Italy in Bucharest

In an upset result, Romania beat Six Nations side Italy 25-24 in Bucharest, thanks to a last-minute penalty by flyhalf Ionut Tofan.

Italy ended fifth in the Six Nations, Romania second in the European Nations Cup, the so-called Six Nations B.

It was a relatively inexperienced Italian team with new caps in Danilo Carpente, Kaine Robertson, Giorgio Intoppa and Mario Savi and few caps for South African Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Enrico Pavanello and Roberto Mandelli, but they showed character to come back from 22-5 down with ten minutes to go to take the lead 24-22, only to be sunk by the final penalty.

The Oaks led 22-5 at half-time.

Two New Zealanders added impetus to the Italian risorgimento. Wing Kaine Robertson and scrumhalf Paul Griffen along with Argentinian fullback Gonzalo Canale scored three tries in just five minutes to give Italy its slender lead.

A goal-kicker would have made the game safe for Italy as they missed three penalties and two conversions. They scored four tries to Romania's three.

As it was the victory belonged to the Oaks' powerful pack - and the boot of Tofan.

Scorers:

For Romania:
Tries: Tofan, Mersoiu, Tonita
Cons: Tofan 2
Pens: Dumbrava, Tofan

For Italy:
Tries: Mazzucato, Robertson, Canale, Griffen
Cons: Mazzariol, Griffen

Teams

Italy: 15 Gonzalo Canale, 14 Nicola Mazzucato, 13 Andrea Masi, 12 Walter Pozzebon, 11 Kaine Robertson, 10 Francesco Mazzariol, 9 Alessandro Troncon (captain), 8 Andrea De Rossi, 7 Aaron Persico, 6 Enrico Pavanello, 5 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 4 Marco Bortolami , 3 Salvatore Costanzo, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Giorgio Intoppa, 17 Mario Savi, 18 Roberto Mandelli, 19 Scott Palmer, 20 Paul Griffen, 21 Danilo Carpente, 22 Matteo Barbini 

Romania: 15 Danut Dumbrava, 14 Bogdan Voicu, 13 Romeo Gontineac, 12 Cristian Sauan, 11 Vasile Ghioc, 10 Ionut Tofan, 9 ,Lucian Sirbu 8 Alin Petrache, 7 Ovidiu Tonita, 6 Costica Mersoiu, 5 Cristian Petre, 4 Florin Tatu,  3 Marcel Socaciu, 2 Bogdan Zebega, 1 Petru Balan.
Replacements: 16 Ion Paulica, 17 Petrisor Toderasc, 18 Niculai Ursache,19 Marius Bejan, 20 Iulian Andrei, 21 Mihai Dumitru, 22 Ionut Dimofte

Referee: Rob Dickson (Scotland)
Touch Judges: Nigel Owens (Wales), David Changleng (Scotland)
Assessor: Tom Aplin (Ireland)