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Romanian Head Coach Lynn Howells has announced his team for the Pool D match against Ireland in London on Sunday. In doing so he has opted for a total of eight changes to the starting line-up on comparison to that which faced France, also in London, on Wednesday evening.
The tough assignment of playing against two Tier 1 sides with just three days rest is the major motivation behind the changes. Romania played well in losing 38-11 against a team expected to have won by many more points.
Howells will be fielding Michael Wiringi at fly half in a team made up of bug name Romanian players including Saraces fullback Catalin Fercu in addition to Csaba Gal, Paulica Ion, and Ovidiu Tonita. Should Fercu score he will become Romania’s greatest try scorer in history.
Romania
1 Andrei Ursache, 2 Andrei Radoi, 3 Paulica Ion, 4 Valentin Poparlan, 5 Ovidiu Tonita, 6 Valentin Ursache, 7 Mihai Macovei (Captain), 8. Daniel Carpo, 9 Valentin Calafeteanu, 10 Michael Wiringi, 11 Ionut Botezatu, 12 Csaba Gal, 13 Paula Kinikinilau, 14 Adrian Apostol, 15 Catalin Fercu
16 Mihaita Lazar, 17 Otar Turashvili, 18 Alexandru Tarus, 19 Johannes van Heerden, 20 Stelian Burcea, 21 Florin Surugiu, 22 Florin Ionita, 23 Florin Vlaicu
