Strong Romania squad named for June tests

Romania will send their strongest possible side to Japan and Canada before hosting Brazil in Bucharest for the June international series. Head coach Lynn Howells has selected the vast majority of the players that claimed the 2017 Rugby Europe Championship. An upset win over Georgia in the final round handed Romania their first ‘Six Nations B’ tournament title since 2010, an unusual feat given their stunning opening round loss to Germany at Offenbach.

The forwards contain eight France-based professionals with the remainder of the squad all playing their domestic rugby in Romania’s SuperLiga. World Cup skipper Mihai Macovei will lead the side once again with vastly experienced Viorel Lucaci a certainty to start on the opposite flank. Former Worcester prop Alex Gordas is named along with new Sale Sharks signing Alexandru Tarus, who makes the jump to the Aviva Premiership from France Pro D2 club Béziers following the test series.

Star fullback Catalin Fercu will miss the overseas matches with his dislike of long-distance plane travel well documented, but should be available for the Brazil test if called upon. His World Cup understudy Sabin Stratila will deputise in a backline that should contain plenty of power with no less than six players selected who qualify on residency, five of Pacific Island heritage. World class goal-kicker and Romania’s first and only test centurion Florin Vlaicu continues his record-setting international career.

FORWARDS
Ionel Badiu (Carcassonne, FR), Alex Gordas (Steaua), Constantin Pristavita (Baia Mare), Alexandru Tarus (Béziers, FR), Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne, FR), Eugen Capatana (Timisoara), Andrei Radoi (Timisoara), Otar Turashvili (Colomiers, FR), Marius Antonescu (Tarbes, FR), Valentin Poparlan (Timisoara), Johan van Heerden (Baia Mare), Andrei Gorcioaia (Massy Essonne, FR), Andrei Iurea (Baia Mare), Viorel Lucaci (Steaua), Mihai Macovei (capt., Colomiers, FR), Vlad Nistor (Albi, FR)

BACKS
Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo), Florin Surugiu (Steaua), Luke Samoa (Baia Mare), Florin Vlaicu (Steaua), Sione Faka’osilea (Baia Mare), Paula Kinikinilau (CSM Bucuresti), Vladut Popa (Timisoara), Jack Umaga (Timisoara), Jack Cobden (CSM Bucuresti), Ionut Dumitru (Steaua), Fonovai Tangimana (Timisoara), Sabin Stratila (Steaua)

FIXTURES
June 10 – vs Japan – Yokana Stadium, Kumamoto
June 17 – vs Canada – Ellerslie Park, Edmonton
June 24 – vs Brazil – Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest