Romania squad trimmed for Uruguay tour

Andy Robinson has reduced his Romania squad to 28 players for the two-test series against Uruguay that begins this weekend in Montevideo. It’s a comparatively inexperienced group with eight players who lined up against Italy sitting out the tour including captain Mihai Macovei.

There are three uncapped players included. Giant prop Gheorghe Gajion is set to make the switch to the Oaks having previously represented Moldova. Baia Mare flyhalf Mihai Muresan, just 19 years old, is set for his debut along with Portugal-based fullback Gabriel Pop.

Also notable is the return of veteran hooker Eugen Capatana to the side after a one-year injury absence. He required shoulder surgery after playing against Los Pumas in Bucharest last July.

PROP
Vasile Balan (Steaua)
Gheorghe Gajion (Mont-de-Marsan, FR)
Alex Gordas (Dinamo)
Dorin Tica (Dinamo)
Victor Leon (Colomiers, FR)

HOOKER
Tudor Butnariu (Steaua)
Eugen Capatana (Timisoara)
Iulian Hartig (Alcobendas, ES)

LOCK
Stefan Iancu (Baia Mare)
Marius Iftimiciuc (Perigueux, FR)
Andrei Toader (Dinamo)

BACK ROW
Alexandru Alexe (Baia Mare)
Cristi Boboc (Steaua)
Dragos Ser (Steaua)
Kamil Sobota (Steaua)
Johann van Heerden (Dinamo)

SCRUMHALF
Gabriel Rupanu (Timisoara)
Alexandru Tigla (Baia Mare)

FLYHALF
Mihai Muresan (Baia Mare)

CENTER
Alexandru Bucur (Timisoara)
Vladut Popa (Steaua)
Jason Tomane (Baia Mare)
Hinckley Vaovasa (Steaua)

OUTSIDE BACKS
Adrian Apostol (Baia Mare)
Sioeli Lama (Steaua)
Mihai Lamboiu (Baia Mare)
Gabriel Pop (Cascais, PO)
Marius Simionescu (Dinamo)