Romania name extended 38-man squad for Autumn Nations Series opener

Romania are set for a busy November schedule, with the Stejarii welcoming Tonga, Canada and Uruguay in Bucharest. For the first fixture, head coach David Gérard will have 38 players at his disposal, with Adrian Mitu (Soyaux-Angoulême) and ?tefan Buruian? (Castres) being the only French-based players in the squad.

Top stars Hinckley Vaovasa, Jason Tomane, Vlad Neculau, Alex Savin, Iulian Hartig and Marius Simionescu will be available for the opening game of the international window.

It is expected that another six will join the Romanian camp after the match against Tonga, with the likes of Taylor Gontineac (AS Béziers-Hérault), Gheorghe Gajion (Stade Montois), Marius Iftimciuc (Carcassonne) and Andrei Mahu (RC Massyone) being some of them.

Adrian Motoc, who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season for Biarritz Olympique, is the biggest doubt as the lock is currently recovering from an injury. Motoc’s last game for the Stejarii was back in October 2023, when the Romanians failed to win any of their games in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Ovidiu Cojocaru is the biggest omission, as the hooker sustained a mid-term injury in the Romanian Wolves' last game of the Super Cup season.

In the team announcement press conference, Gérard explained the reasoning behind the decision to name an extended squad: “The most important thing at this moment is to have an overview of all the players who can represent Romania and whom we can use for the next European Championship (…). We will use the three test matches we play in November to get more confidence in ourselves, but also to build the best team for February.”

While doubts still linger concerning Rugby Romania’s future in the Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, the Oaks reached an agreement and will be able to host all three fixtures in the emblematic venue.

Romania's game against Tonga is scheduled for the November 9, followed by Canada on the 16th, with Uruguay being the finale on the 23rd.

Romania 38-man squad

Front-row: Props: Vasile Balan (CSA Steaua), Cosmin Manole (CS Dinamo), Alexandru Savin (CS Rapid), Ciprian Chiriac (SCM USV Timi?oara), Iulian Hartig (CS Dinamo)

Hookers: Tudor Butnariu (CSA Steaua), ?tefan Marko Buruian? (Castres), Emanuel Ilincu?? (CSA Steaua), Robert Irimescu (CSM ?tiin?a Baia Mare), Florin Bárda?u (CS Rapid)

Second-row: Virgil Ghenea (CS Politehnica Ia?i), ?tefan Iancu (CSM Science Baia Mare), Vlad Neculau (SCM USV Timi?oara), David Tr?u?an (CS Rapid), Nicolaas Immelman (CSM Science Baia Mare)

Back-row: Drago? Ser (SCM USV Timisoara), Cristi Boboc (CSA Steaua), Cristi Chirica (CS Dinamo), Kemal Altinok (SCM USV Timi?oara), Adrian Mitu (Soyaux Angoulème Rugby XV Charente), Kamil Sobota (CS Dinamo) , Eduard Cioroab? (CS Dinamo)

Scrum-half: Alin Conache (CSA Steaua), Gabriel Rupanu (SCM USM Timi?oara), Vl?du? Boc?ne? (CSM ?tiin?a Baia Mare)

Fly-half: Daniel Plai (SCM USV Timisoara), Hinckley Vaovasa (CS Dinamo)

Centres: Mihai Graure (CS Dinamo), Tangimana Fonovai (CS Dinamo), Jason Tomane (CSM Sciin?a Baia Mare), Alexandru Bucur (SCM USV Timi?oara), Alexandru Prescura (CS Rapid)

Back three: Romeo Corrado-?te?co (SCM USV Timi?oara), Marius Simionescu (SCM USV Timi?oara), Ovidiu Neagu (CS Dinamo), Tevita Manumua (SCM USV Timi?oara), Rafael David Florea – Jil?veanu (CSA Steaua), Paul Popoaia (CSM ?tiin?a Baia Mare)