Romania without experience for USA test

The strength of Romania’s depth will be tested on Saturday as the Oaks said goodbye to five starting forwards from the 36-6 win over Portugal this past weekend. Romania’s win secured their spot in the top division of the Rugby Europe Championship next season. Their place had been in jeopardy due to points deductions resulting from the eligibility scandals that ultimately cost them a spot in the 2019 World Cup.

Tighthead prop Alexandru Tarus, second row Marius Antonescu, and the entire starting back row of Valentine Ursache, Mihai Macovei, and Andrei Gorcioaia will play no part against the Eagles in Bucharest. Ursache has announced his retirement from international rugby while the others have returned to their professional clubs in France and England.

Called up as replacements are national u20 prop Laurentiu Nica and once-capped Blagnac No8 Razvan Ilisescu. The latter’s addition makes it just four players based in France, the rest all playing their club rugby in Romania. The back selections are unchanged with new coach Thomas Lièvremont set to continue with the experiment of star fullback Catalin Fercu at outside center.

Ignoring the finding of Sione Faka’osilea’s ineligibility, the Oaks have won four of six tests in 2018. They dropped REC matches to Spain in Madrid and Georgia in Tbilisi. The Eagles meanwhile have now won all eight test matches in 2018 after their last-gasp win over Samoa in San Sebastián on Saturday.

Squad details can be seen here.

FORWARDS
Ionel Badiu (Roval Drome, FR), Alex Gordas (CSM Bucuresti), Laurentiu Nica (Uni Cluj), Constantin Pristavita (Baia Mare), Alexandru Savin (CSM Bucuresti), Florin Bardasu (CSM Bucuresti), Eugen Capatana (Timisoara), Andrei Radoi (Timisoara), Marian Drenceanu (Timisoara), Marius Iftimiciuc (Timisoara), Adrian Motoc (Agen, FR), Johan van Heerden (Perpignan, FR), Cristi Chirica (Baia Mare), Razvan Ilisescu (Blagnac, FR), Adrian Ion (CSM Bucuresti), Damian Stratila (Steaua)

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)