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Romania have retained nearly their entire team that defeated the US Eagles in convincing fashion, showing only two changes for their game against Canada in Bucharest on Saturday. Injury to Vasile Rus sees Andrei Gorcioaia handed a start at no8 with captain Stelian Burcea shifting to the blindside. Star goal-kicker Florin Vlaicu moves to flyhalf in place of Jody Rose with 20-year-old Vladut Popa handed his first test start in the midfield.
Replacing Gorcioaia and Popa on the bench are two youngsters. Teenage flanker Cristian Chirica is set to make his test debut as a substitute, while France-based outside back Nicolas Onutu will win his 3rd cap should the 20-year-old be pitched into action.
The Oaks have now rattled off four wins in a row and sport an impressive 8-1 record for the year, their only loss coming in March to Georgia at Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi. They also got the best of Canada in their last meeting at the 2015 World Cup, winning 17-15 at Leicester City Stadium. Canada have not defeated Romania since 1999.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 11am Eastern, 8am Pacific. The game will be broadcast live on TSN2.
ROMANIA
1 Mihaita Lazar 2 Eugen Capatana 3 Alexandre Tarus 4 Johan van Heerden 5 Marius Antonescu 6 Viorel Lucaci 7 Stelian Burcea (capt.) 8 Andrei Gorcioaia 9 Florin Surugiu 10 Florin Vlaicu 11 Ionut Dumitru 12 Vladut Popa 13 Jack Umaga 14 Fonovai Tangimana 15 Catalin Fercu
16 Andrei Radoi 17 Ionel Badiu 18 Alex Gordas 19 Valentin Poparlan 20 Cristian Chirica 21 Valentin Calafeteanu 22 Nicolas Onutu 23 Stephen Shennan
