Nine new names in Romania squad

Nine uncapped players have been selected by new Romania coach Thomas Lievremont to prepare for three upcoming internationals. The first will come against Portugal on Saturday with a spot in the 2019 Rugby Europe ‘A’ Division Championship on the line. Tests against the USA and Uruguay will round out the Oaks’ November calendar.

This will be the first time Romania have come together as a team since the catastrophic eligibility findings of World Rugby that effectively cost Romania a spot in the 2019 World Cup. The point deductions handed out saw Russia handed a ticket to Japan and Germany elevated to the Repechage, with Romania left to defend their position against ‘B’ division winners Portugal.

After watching his Romania ‘A’ side defeat Repechage competitors Kenya in convincing fashion on Saturday, Lievremont has retained virtually the entire backline who all play their rugby domestically. Bolstering the forwards are eight players based abroad including skipper Mihai Macovei and bruising Oyonnax flanker Valentin Ursache.

Macovei and Ursache are two of seven players with 65 or more test caps of experience. Timisoara hooker Andrei Radoi and Florin Surugiu are others and there are two test centurions in goal kicker Florin Vlaicu and star fullback Catalin Fercu. Another halfback, Valentin Calafeteanu, is only three caps short of 100.

There are three new forwards who graduate from the ‘A’ side. CSM Bucuresti loosehead prop Alexandru Savin is joined by Timisoara lock Marius Iftimiciuc and Steaua back row Damian Stratila.

The backs have a very young look to them with six new players. Both flyhalf options – Steaua duo Tudor Boldor and Daniel Plai – are uncapped, as are midfielder Alexandru Bucur and outside back trio Vladut Zaharia, Ionel Melinte, and Paul Popoaia, the youngest in the squad at only 18.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Ionel Badiu (Roval Drome, FR), Alex Gordas (CSM Bucuresti), Constantin Pristavita (Baia Mare), Alexandru Savin (CSM Bucuresti), Alexandru Tarus (Sale Sharks, UK), Florin Bardasu (CSM Bucuresti), Eugen Capatana (Timisoara), Andrei Radoi (Timisoara), Marius Antonescu (Colomiers, FR), Marian Drenceanu (Timisoara), Marius Iftimiciuc (Timisoara), Adrian Motoc (Agen, FR), Johan van Heerden (Perpignan, FR), Cristi Chirica (Baia Mare), Andrei Gorcioaia (Massy Essonne, FR), Adrian Ion (CSM Bucuresti), Mihai Macovei (Colomiers, FR), Damian Stratila (Steaua), Valentin Ursache (Oyonnax, FR)

BACKS
Tudorel Bratu (CSM Bucuresti), Valentin Calafeteanu (CSM Bucuresti), Florin Surugiu (Steaua), Tudor Boldor (Steaua), Daniel Plai (Steaua), Alexandru Bucur (Baia Mare), Vladut Popa (Timisoara), Fonovai Tangimana (CSM Bucuresti), Florin Vlaicu (CSM Bucuresti), Ionut Dumitru (Steaua), Robert Neagu (Steaua), Paul Popoaia (Baia Mare), Vladut Zaharia (Timisoara), Catalin Fercu (Timisoara), Ionel Melinte (Steaua)