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some changes for match vs Belgium:

IN:
Vasile Balan (prop, CSM Bucuresti)
Marius Iftimiciuc (lock, Timisoara Saracens)
Vlad Neculau (flanker, Timisoara Saracens)
Vlad Nistor (flanker, Union Sportive Seynoise)
Dragos Ser (flanker, CSM Bucuresti, Romania U20)

OUT: injured or back to clubs:
Tarus (prop, Sale Sharks)
Gorcioaia (backrow, Massy)
Chirica (backrow, CSM Baia Mare)
 
Little Oaks squad for European championship 2019:

Props:
Vlad Dumbrava (Henley Hawks)
Andrei Hurjui (Stade Aurillacois)
George Ilincuta (Leeds Beckett University)
Flavian Cuprian (CS Navodari)
Silviu Staicu (Stade Niortais)

Hookers:
Darius Placintar (U Cluj)
Florian Ciocoiu (CT Dinicu Golescu)

Locks:
Alin Toma (CSS 2 Baia Mare)
Virgil Ghenea (Stade Aurillacois)
Andrei Cabason (Tomitanii Constanta)

Backrow:
Razvan Belehuz (RC Barlad)
Darius Vulturar (CSS 2 Baia Mare)
Andrei Pricopie (CSS 2 Baia Mare)
Marius Ferariu (CSS 2 Baia Mare)
Dragos Ser (CSM Bucuresti) - Captain

Scrum-half:
Vladut Bocanet (U Cluj)
Emanuel Grigore (Tomitanii Constanta)

Fly-half:
Alexandru Harasim (CSS 2 Baia Mare)
Danut Jipa (CT Dinicu Golescu)

Wings:
Andrei Mihalache (U Cluj)
Laurentiu Pocovnicu (Tomitanii Constanta)

Centers:
Taylor Gontineac (Clermont Espoirs)
Cristian Bumbac (CSA Steaua)
Nathanael Grosu (Valence Romans Drome Espoirs)

Fullback:
Paul Popoaia (CSS 2 Baia Mare)
Vlad Leica (SCM Gloria Buzau)
Eduard Carp (RC Andrezieux- Boutheon- Fed3)

Some nice prospects there like Gontineac, son of Romeo Gontineac, one of the best centers in Romanian rugby in 90s - 2000s, Carp who plays since 18 at senior level in Fed 3, Ser in backrow who was called to Oaks and an unusually mature player for his age, two young forwards from Aurillac and also a lot of players who were in last year u20 squad and now turned 19 yo.
 
Romania A will play two matches with England Counties (31st May and 4th June). The team called up is very young, more of an U23 side with many U20 graduates from this year (some are still with their U20 clubs).

Props:
George Ilincuta (Leeds Beckett University)
Marius Lungu (CSA Steaua)
Daniel Bumbac (CS Dinamo)
Laurentiu Nica (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)

Hookers:
Darius Placintar (CS U Cluj)
Tudor Butnariu (CSA Steaua),

Locks:
Alin Toma (CSS 2 Baia Mare)
Marius Iftimiciuc (Timisoara Saracens)
Anton Radu (RC Barlad)
Silviu Gradinaru (CS Dinamo)
Stefan Iancu (CSM Bucuresti)

Backrow:
Marius Ferariu (CSS 2 CNE Baia Mare)
Andrei Iurea (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)
Darius Vulturar (CSS 2 CNE Baia Mare)
Damian Stratila (CSA Steaua)
Alexandru Alexe (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)
Ionut Donici (CT Dinicu Golescu)

Scrum-halves:
Vlad Bocanet (CS U Cluj)
Andrei Ballock (CS U Cluj)
Razvan Berbece (CS Stiinta Petrosani)

Fly-halfs
Danut Jipa (CSA Steaua)
Alexandru Harasim (CSS 2 Baia Mare)

Wings:
Eduard Carp (RC Andrezieux-Boutheon)
Andrei Mihalache (CSU Cluj)
George Iacob (CS Dinamo)
Ionut Coman (CS Tomitanii)

Centers:
Cristian Bumbac (CSA Steaua)
Ionut Balaban (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)
Laurentiu Pocovnicu (ACS Tomitanii)
Eduard Bencea (CSA Steaua)

Fullback:
Vlad Leica (SCM Buzau)
Paul Popoaia (CSS 2 Baia Mare)

Staff:
Lynn Howell – Head Coach
Cosmin Ratiu – Forwards coach
William Moala – Backs coach

For South American tour (Chile 8th June, Brazil 15th June) the senior squad have a lot of new names and likely some from Romania A may join:

Props:
Constantin PRISTĂVIȚĂ (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)
Iulian HARȚIG (CSM Bucuresti)
Alexandru GORDAȘ (CSM Bucuresti)
Cosmin MANOLE (CS Dinamo)
Alexandru SAVIN (CSM Bucuresti)

Hookers:
Eugen CĂPĂȚÂNĂ (Timisoara Saracens)
Ovidiu COJOCARU (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)

Locks:
Marius ANTONESCU (Colomiers)
Johan Van HEERDEN (Perpignan)
Ionuț MUREȘAN (Timisoara Saracens)

Backrow:
Dorin LAZĂR (Timisoara Saracens)
Cristi CHIRICA (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)
Vlad NECULAU (Timisoara Saracens)
Adrian ION (CSM Bucuresti)
Mihai MACOVEI (Colomiers)

Scrum-half:
Florin SURUGIU (CSA Steaua)
Gabriel RUPANU (Timisoara Saracens)

Fly-half:
Tudor BOLDOR (CSA Steaua)
Daniel PLAI (CSA Steaua)

Wings:
Mihai LĂMBOIU (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)
Nicolas ONUȚU (CSM Bucuresti)
Robert NEAGU (Steaua Bucuresti)

Centers:
Vlad POPA (Timisoara Saracens)
Taylor GONTINEAC (Clermont Espoirs)
Florin VLAICU (CSM Bucuresti)

Fullback:
Dorin MANOLE (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)

You probably noticed a lot of known back players missing and this probably due to 7s squad which is under preparation for Grand Prix.

Romania A side is mostly made of kids, I expect a trashing from Counties especially in the backs.

Romania senior side is interesting, we see some new faces like Gontineac, Lamboiu, Neagu and some old guns having a come back like Manole, who was awesome for Baia Mare and helped them a lot to win the championship.
 
First news about 2019-2020 Superliga come from top clubs.

Champion team CSM Stiinta Baia Mare announce the following moves:

New players/Coaches
Coach Eugen Apjok is back and will team up with ex-prop, now retired, Paul Rusu
Claudiu Oancea, prop (CSM Bucuresti)
Rezi Dugladze, prop (Georgia U20, Lelo Saracens)
Sebastian Agapie, scrum-half, (CS Navodari, second division)
David Feliuai Lene, fullback, New Zealand
Paul Popoaia wing/fullback (Romania U20)

So far Bidzina Shamkharadze left for Timisoara
Razvan Ailenei (27 years, backrow) ex-captain and Sergiu Lucaciu (20 years, center) both retired for medical reasons

Timisoara Saracens signed a lot of young players:

Ionel Melinte, fullback/fly-half (Steaua)
Damian Stratila, backrow (Steaua)
Marius Lungu, prop (Steaua)
all three from 1996 born U20 generation and capped for Oaks or Romania A

Bidzina Shamkharadze scrum-half
Moa Mua Maliepo, center (CSM Bucuresti)
Hickley Vaovasa, fullback/fly-half (CSM Bucuresti)
Paul Perici, fly-half/scrum-half (CSU Arad, second division)
Gabriel Jipa, fly-half (Romania U20/Stiinta Petrosani, second division)

Players that left the club this summer:
Jody Rose
Thomas Whitehurst
Henri Boshoff
Michael Stewart
Mesake Doge -> Brive, Top 14
Mădălin Lemnaru -> retired from medical reasons
icon_cry.gif

Samuel Maris -> end of contract

Coaching team Sosene Anesi, head coach & backs, Ulysses Gamboa, forwards coach

Universitatea Cluj

New signings:
Virgil Ghenea, lock (Romania U18/U20, Aurillac)
Darius Vulturar, backrow (Romania U20)
 
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Some news from Romanian rugby:

Big news for Romanian rugby, National television, TVR will fully broadcast Rugby World Cup 2019 on its main channel.

Also Oaks and Super Liga matches will be broadcasted on main channel of national television. This is a come back for TVR after rugby was broadcasted for few years by private pay per view Telekom which is now selling its business in Romania (TV, GSM and whatever they have).

CSA Steaua București - SCM Gloria Buzău Rugby (ora 10:30, Ghencea stadium) TVR1/ TVR HD (8:30 UK timezone)
https://www.tvrplus.ro/live/tvr-hd - not sure if it can be viewed outside Romania.

Timisoara Saracens Rugby Club - RUGBY U Cluj Napoca (ora 10:30, stadionul Dan Paltinisanu) on RugbyTv.ro (8:30 UK timezone) - this match can be viewed later, unfortunately the hours overlap but considering the heat wave in Romania these days, it very difficult to schedule matches at a later hour, at least for now.


Transfers UPDATE:

Gloria Buzau:
IN: Nistor Ionita (center, Navodar 2nd division), Ciprian Lucaci (THP, Steaua), Jacobs Clifford Benjamin (L2, South Africa), Fili Lomani (wing, Dinamo), Cosmin Iliuta (wing, CSM), Vasilica Pascu(wing, Dinamo), Catalin Prunaru (center, CSM), Ionut Simion (backrow, Dinamo), Stefan Iancu (lock, CSM)

U Cluj:
IN: Paul Petucher (LHP, Tomitanii), Virgil Ghenea (lock/backrow, Aurillac Esports), Marius Ferariu (flanker, Barlad 2nd divison/Ro U20), Alin Toma (lock, Ro U20), Alexandru Harasim (10, Ro U20), Andrei Pricopie (lock, Ro U20), Darius Vulturar (backrow, Ro U20)

Dinamo Bucuresti:
IN: Tudorel Bratu (scrum-half, CSM), Daniel Hrenciuc (fullback,), Marian Ispir (wing, CSM), Bakhva Kobakhidze (10/15, Georgia), Nikholas Moa (backrow, Gloria Buzau), Michael Scheepers (center, Gloria Buzau), Johannes Van Heerden (lock, Perpignan)

RCM Timisoara Saracens:
IN: Damian Stratila (backrow, Steaua), Ionel Melinte (10/15, Steaua), Danut Jipa (10, Steaua, RoU20), Paul Perici (9, second division), Marius Lungu (LHP, Steaua), Hinkley Vaovasa (10/15, CSM), Fonoifua Paea (prop, Tonga), Aranda German Osvaldo (prop, Spain), Moa Mua Maliepo (center, CSM), Bidzina Shamkharadze (9, Baia Mare)

OUT: Jody Rose (FH), Thomas Whitehurst (Backrow, Henri Boshoff (Prop), Michael Stewart (Backrow)
Mesake Doge -> Brive, Top 14
Mădălin Lemnaru -> retired from medical reasons
icon_cry.gif

Samuel Maris -> end of contract


Steaua Bucuresti:
IN: Mario Arvinte (backrow, Tomitanii), Vasile Balan (Prop, CSM), Dragos Lucan (hooker, Stiinta Petrosani, 2nd division), Dragos Ser (backrow, CSM, Ro U20), Matthew Tweddle (backrow, Tomitanii), Florin Vlaicu (center, CSM), Alexandru Savin (LHP, CSM), Marian Drenceanu (lock, CSM), Florin Bardasu (hooker, CSM), Tangimana Fonovai (wing, CSM)

CSM Stiinta Baia Mare:
Sebastian Agapie (scrum-half, 2nd division Navodari), Feliuai David Falesa (15, NZ), Oancea Alexandru (hooker/THP, CSM), Dugladze Revazi (THP, Georgia), Paul Popoaia (wing, Ro U20), Harting (prop/hooker, CSM) - rumor is will play in Challenge Cup

Tomitanii Constanta:
Tiberiu Otelea (10, junior squad), Razvan Barbu (15, Navodari, 2nd division), Razvan Berbece (9, Stiinta Petrosani, 2nd division), Florian Ciocoiu (hooker/prop, CSM), Marian Gorcioaia (hooker, Timisoara), Florin Sasu (prop, retired for a while, back in action), Gigi Militaru (prop, Timisoara), Ciprian Chiriac (prop)

Squads can be found here (select a team from SuperLiga):

https://www.super-liga.ro/superliga/echipe/
 
Two Super Liga matches today:

Steaua - Gloria Buzau
https://www.rugbytv.ro/2019/08/30/3...scm-gloria-buzau-superliga-cec-bank-et-1.html

lineups:
https://www.super-liga.ro/informatii-meci/?im=6272

The match to watch this round as Gloria Buzau is a candidate to top 4 spot after CSM disappeared.

Timisoara Saracens - U Cluj - this one may be replayed later
https://www.rugbytv.ro/2019/08/30/3...iversitatea-cluj-superliga-cec-bank-et-1.html

lineups:
https://www.super-liga.ro/informatii-meci/?im=6274
 
Superliga 1st round results

Steaua 33 - 17 Gloria Buzau

The match was much closer than the score shows with Buzau leading at half time and 14-17 in 70th minute but Steaua's superior bench made the difference.

Timișoara Saracens 54 - 18 U Cluj

easy match for Timisoara

Știința Baia Mare 42 - 17 Tomitanii Constanța

Stiff resistance by Tomitanii until half time
 
Bruce_ma_goose said:
Could have been a lot worse, although I dont know what he has achieved since leaving Scotland. Personally I'd have preferred a younger guy who is doing alright at club level in a major league, but I'm not sure there would be funds to tempt such an individual.
Click to expand...

He's 55 so not old imo. He did coached Bristol Bears (2013 - 2016) and promoted with them being sacked after a bad Premiership season. I think he did a fair job with Scotland, that was a team which lacked talent in key position (FH, center) but managed to keep very close of some better teams.

I still remember RWC 2011 Scotland - Romania, we always thought that with Fercu in backs that match could have been won.

He have a high profile coach, he's well connected and is an excellent trainer of forwards so he'll need backs expertise.
 
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Tomorrow at 12:00 local time (10:00 UK) Romanian Cup final will take place in Brasov ("Noua" stadium) between CSA Steaua Bucuresti and RCM UVT Timisoara Saracens.

Brasov don't have a senior team from 4 years already, maybe this will give a boost to local rugby fans..

Match will be on TVR online (https://www.tvrplus.ro/) and rugbytv.ro
 
REC will kick off this week-end, here's the first Oaks' squad called up by Andy Robinson:

Props:
Iulian Hartig (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Constantin Pristaviță (CSM Știință Baia Mare)
Horațiu Pungea (Timișoara Saracens)
Cosmin Manole (CS Dinamo)
Alexandru Țăruș (Zebre)

Hookers:
Ovidiu Cojocaru (CSM Știință Baia Mare)
Eugen Căpățână (Timișoara Saracens)
Tudor Butnariu (CSA Steaua)

Locks:
Ionuț Mureșan (Timișoara Saracens)
Johan Van Heerden (CS Dinamo)
Dorin Lazăr (Timișoara Saracens)
Adrian Moțoc (Agen)

Backrow:
Cristi Chirică (CSM Știință Baia Mare)
Vlad Neculau (Timișoara Saracens)
Dragoș Ser (CSA Steaua)
Adrian Ion (ACS Tomitanii)
Kamil Sobota (ACS Tomitanii)

Scrum-half:
Gabriel Rupanu (Timișoara Saracens)
Florin Surugiu (CSA Steaua)
Tudorel Bratu (CS Dinamo)

Fly-Halves:
Tudor Boldor (CSA Steaua)
Daniel Plai (CSA Steaua)

Wings:
Robert Neagu (CSA Steaua)
Marius Simionescu (Timișoara Saracens)
Nicolas Onutu (CS Vienne Rugby)
Ionut Dumitru (CSA Steaua)

Centers:
Vladuț Popa (Timișoara Saracens)
Florin Vlaicu (CSA Steaua)
Catalin Fercu (Timișoara Saracens)
Alexandru Bucur (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Taylor Gontineac (Clermont Espoirs)

Fullbacks:
Paul Popoaia (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Ionel Melinte (Timișoara Saracens)

Staff:
Andrew Robinson – head coach
Lasha Tavarkiladze – forwards coach
Sosene Anesi – backs coach,
Florin Tașca – conditioning coach
Daniel Carpo – manager
Meredith Thomas, Henry Morgan – video analysis

Out injured: Fonovai (Steaua), Antonescu (Bourg en Bresse), Ionel Badiu (Valence Romans), Alexandru Gordas (Nice) and first two will probably miss entire REC. Macovei was injured, not sure what is his status, FRR sites says personal business.
 
1613120911714.png
I know rugby jerseys are not a fashion contest but this makes my head hurt
 
Romania 17 - 24 Argentina.

Somehow this international test was missed in the respective section of the forum. Ironically it was the smallest margin T1 vs T2 this week-end and Oaks could have draw or won it with a little bit of luck. For those who wanna watch it, here are the links.

Considering it's a transition team, the result is very good.

First half:


Second half:
 
Romanian Cup Final



Baia Mare crucially missing out on a couple of nice tries due to forward passes.

Generally, less positive news in Romania as clubs in the cities of Cluj and Constanta have both folded. So only 4 fully pro sides remain and the Superliga will reportedly mix them with lower level, non-pro sides, which, in my opinion, will likely hurt player development.

The cupboard is bare, so whether enough money can be mustered to participate in the RESC and/or Intercontinental Shield seems to be the possible lifeline for domestic player development for Romania, but there is no word on their plans on that front.
 
44 players retained by Oaks coach for the second preparation camp for RWC

Loosehead:
Alexandru Savin (CSA Steaua)
Ciprian Chiriac (SCM USV Timișoara)
Vasile Balan (CSA Steaua) - can pack on both sides
Iulian Harțig (RC Bassin d'Arcachon) - can play loosehead as well

Tighthead:
Gheorghe Gajion (Stade Montois)
Thomas Crețu (Stade Francais)
Alexandru Gordaș (CS Dinamo)
Costel Burțilă (RC Hyères Carqueiranne La Crau)

Hookers:
Ovidiu Cojocaru (CS Dinamo)
Tudor Butnariu (CSA Steaua)
Robert Irimescu (CSM Știința Baia Mare) - can play backrow
Florin Bărdașu (CSA Steaua)

Locks:
Adrian Motoc (Biarritz Olympique)
Andrei Mahu (USA Perpignan)
Marius Iftimiciuc (US Carcassonne)
Marius Antonescu (Bourg en Bresse)
Ștefan Iancu (CSM Știința Baia Mare)

Backrow
Cristi Chirica (CS Dinamo)
Andrei Gorin (RC Hyères Carqueiranne La Crau)
Mihai Macovei (RC Bassin d'Arcachon)
Vlad Neculau (SCM USV Timișoara)
Dragoș Ser (CSA Steaua)
Cristi Boboc (CSA Steaua)
Damian Strătilă (CSA Steaua)
Mihai Popescu (Colorno)
Florian Roșu (CSM Știința Baia Mare)

Scrum-half:
Gabriel Rupanu (SCM USV Timișoara)
Florin Surugiu (CSA Steaua)
Alin Conache (SCM USV Timișoara)
Vlăduț Bocăneț (CSM Știința Baia Mare)

Fly-halves:
Gabriel Pop (CS Dinamo) - utility back
Vlăduț Popa (CSA Steaua) - utility back
Mihai Mureșan (CSM Știința Baia Mare)

Wings:
Atila Septar (RC Toulon) - can play center
Nicolas Onuțu (CS Vienne)
Sioeli Lama (CSA Steaua)
Sikuea Taliauli (CSM Știința Baia Mare)

Centers:
Taylor Gontineac (Rouen Normandie)
Jason Tomane (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Tangimana Fonovai (CSA Steaua)
Tevita Manumua (SCM USV Timișoara)

Fullback:
Marius Simionescu (SCM USV Timișoara)
Paul Popoaia (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Ionel Melinte (RC Hyères Carqueiranne La Crau)
Hinckley Vaovasa (CSA Steaua) - utility back[/quote]

Out:

forwards:
Dorin Tică (CS Dinamo)
Eugen Căpățână (SCM USV Timișoara)
Johannes Van Heerden (CS Dinamo) - can also play backrow
Lucian Mureșan (SCM USV Timișoara)

backs:
Cosmin Iliuță (CSA Steaua)
Mihai Lămboiu (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Robert Neagu (CSA Steaua)

Eugen Apjok, Romania's head coach: "The selection was not easy at all, it is a moment that, as a coach, you don't like, but together with my colleagues in the staff we made, we say, the right decision. We weighed all the options and the player profile very much, we took into account all the selection criteria, the rugby side, absolutely everything. We had a discussion with the players who didn't make the squad, they have to be ready to join the team at any time, there is still a long way to go until the World Cup, there can be many changes and they have to be there 100%. They have already received the training programme and I hope they stay as focused on what they have to do as they have been so far. I can say that I am satisfied with this first training camp, but there is room for improvement. There was a lot of work, a lot of training, some medical problems in the last few days, but overall the boys responded well to what was asked of them. It's definitely a step forward on the fitness side, which will continue to be the number one priority. If we are at an optimal level physically, I think everything else related to the aspect of the game will be okay. We have two new players who have joined the team, Tevita Manumua and Sikuea Taliauli, who by participating with the Romanian 7s team in the European Games, an Olympic qualifying competition, have also fulfilled the last eligibility criterion. In the first phase they will be part of the group for the next training camp, but they have to earn their place there, to prove that they deserve to be here, they are good options to balance the balance on two positions, wing and centre".

rugbyromania.ro

Prima selecție pentru Cupa Mondială: 44 de Stejari continuă pregătirea - Rugby Romania

Naționala de rugby a României a încheiat primul stagiu de pregătire, la finalul acestuia antrenorii alegând un lot de 44 de jucători care vor continua pregătirea pentru Cupa Mondială de […]
rugbyromania.ro rugbyromania.ro

A bit surprised by Van Heerden and Capatana being left out but it seems the younger ones were picked. Suprised also by Tangimana still in the mix but his form is getting better, who knows.
Others who contributed to qualifications are left out for various reasons e.g. Leon- injured, Boldor, Plai, Bucur - out of form.
 

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