Romania add three for Brazil test

Romania have added three players to their training squad for their historic match against Brazil on Saturday. The two countries will meet for the first time, doing battle at the Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest. The Oaks are returning home after a long and arduous trip to Japan and Canada, while Brazil have had a week off after their proposed match against Chile was cancelled. They defeated Portugal in São Paulo on June 10.

Head coach Lynn Howells had expressed his intention to field younger players against Brazil and while he may look to start a younger side there remains plenty of experience in the group. The new names called in are twice-capped Timisoara lock Ionut Muresan and two uncapped players in Baia Mare hooker Ovidiu Cojocaru and Dinamo loosehead prop Bogdan Neascu. All three were part of the 2017 Rugby Europe Championship squad but the latter two did not see the field.

Saturday’s match is set for a 7pm local time kickoff, 1pm Brasilia, and streamed live on BrasilRugbyTV.

FORWARDS
Ionel Badiu (Carcassonne, FR), Alex Gordas (Steaua), Bogdan Neascu (Dinamo), Constantin Pristavita (Baia Mare), Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne, FR), Ovidiu Cojocaru (Baia Mare), Andrei Radoi (Timisoara), Marius Antonescu (Tarbes, FR), Ionut Muresan (Timisoara), 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), Vladut Popa (Timisoara), Paula Kinikinilau (CSM Bucuresti), Jack Cobden (CSM Bucuresti), Ionut Dumitru (Steaua), Fonovai Tangimana (Timisoara), Marius Simionescu (Timisoara), Sabin Stratila (Steaua)