Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles on 9-win streak after beating Romania 31-5

Published Nov. 17, 2018 10:54 a.m. ET

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — The United States will face Ireland next week unbeaten this year and on a nine-test winning streak after accounting for Romania 31-5 on Saturday.

The Eagles scored five tries to one in a scrappy test against a depleted Oaks side at Ghencea Stadium.

The Romania backline was the same after beating Portugal 36-6 last weekend, but the pack was revamped. Adrian Motoc became captain for the first time in his fifth test and filled the second row with Marian Drenceanu, who played his first test in three years. Forwards Alexandru Savin and Marius Iftimiciuc made their debuts from the bench, as did wing Tudor Boldor.

Fullback Ionel Melinte crossed from lineout ball to level the score early, but the Americans made most of the running for the next hour.

Bryce Campbell was set up center partner Paul Lasike from scrum ball for the first of his two tries, but the Americans missed two more try chances before halftime when a rolling maul was held up and another try was disallowed for a high tackle.

The score of 12-5 at the break quickly became 19-5 when lock Nick Civetta broke to put the U.S. on attack, Romania counterattacked, and the U.S. counterattacked to send wing Ryan Matyas haring down the middle of the field to score.

Campbell scored his second try from a break by replacement flanker Hanco Germishuys, Nick Boyer debuted for sharp scrumhalf Ruben de Haas, then back Tim Maupin, on for Matyas, caught a crosskick from flyhalf Will Magie for the last try.