Fixtures
Wed 23 Sep France v Romania, Olympic Stadium, 8pm
Sun 27 Sep Ireland v Romania, Wembley Stadium, 4.45pm
Tues 6 Oct Canada v Romania, Leicester City Stadium, 4.45pm
Sun 11 Oct Italy v Romania, Sandy Park, 2.30pm
Odds to win World Cup
5,000-1
Coach
Lyn Howells
Captain
Mihai Macovei
It seemed barely believable to the Romanian players, to the Romanian fans. Having played a key part in helping his nation qualify for their seventh consecutive Rugby World Cup, Catalin Fercu reluctantly decided he could not board the plane to New Zealand in 2011, explaining his fear of flying was too great. Some of his team-mates were dismayed and publicly angry. The eastern Europeans went on to endure their worst ever tournament, finishing bottom of their pool with no points and a -125 points deficit. Four years on, and Fercu told the Guardian that he “still has moments when he does not want to get on a plane” but with the World Cup in England (and Cardiff), he will not be denied this time around.
In fact, the pacy full-back has had the least distance to travel of all of Romania’s 2015 World Cup squad, as he is the only player that plies his trade with an English team, Saracens. Fercu has featured only fleetingly for the Premiership side’s first team since his move in 2014 but, at 29 and with 80 international caps to his name, will no doubt be looking to make up for lost time.
In a team that are notorious for having a ferocious pack, Fercu’s speed of foot and thought will aid Romania’s backs if they decide to play more expansively. But in a pool containing France, Ireland, Italy and Canada, that is a dangerous business and even the Welsh head coach, Lynn Howells, admitted last year: “The difficulty is that our best players are all forwards. The backs have some way to go, to be honest.”
Romania have competed at every World Cup since its inception in 1987, winning five matches, largely by keeping it tight in the front five and capitalising on errors – Florin Vlaicu is an excellent place‑kicker – while they themselves try to uphold a high standard of discipline. The props Mihai Lazar and Horatiu Pungea play in France’s Top 14 (for Castres and Oyonnax respectively), as does the second-row Valentin Ursache – the pack are a constant menace and continue to be the focal point in attack. “Our point remains the forwards,” says Fercu. “But not just to rely on them because all the teams are well prepared. We have to play quality rugby. Lynn has told us to be confident.”
Confidence is certainly not lacking, especially after clinching their third IRB Nations Cup win in four years.
“Our objective is two wins,” continues Fercu. “We know that is difficult but not impossible.” While many might back them to repeat last November’s 18-9 win over Canada, it would be an incredible achievement to beat one of France, Ireland or Italy: a win that would ensure a third-placed finish in Pool D, which would give them automatic qualification for the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Michael Butler
Age 28
Caps 47
Position Prop
Height 6ft 1 in
Weight 18st 6lb
Debut v Tonga, Bucharest 22 Mar 2008
Pts 10 T2
Photograph: Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images
Howells, who was Wales’s assistant coach to Graham Henry during the 1999 World Cup, joined the Romania setup in 2012 but could leave after this year’s tournament, as his contract expires. The 65-year-old has few injury worries in his squad, only the South African-born Johann van Heerden is a slight doubt for their opener against France at the Olympic Stadium – he suffered a concussion on his Romania debut in the narrow 16-21 loss to Tonga earlier this month.
Van Heerden is one of four players (alongside Paula Kinikinilau, Michael Wiringi and Otar Turashvili) who has qualified for The Oaks under the three-year residency rule but Howells has been keen to grow the country’s domestic talent. He is also director of rugby at the Bucharest Wolves – a development side assembled from eight Romanian clubs – that play in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Ranked 17th in the world, Romania finished behind their fiercest rivals, Georgia, in the European Nations Cup (aka Six Nations B) to qualify for this year’s tournament. Captain Mihai Macovei, at 6ft 4in, leads the side – the 28-year-old can play either at flanker or at No8.
Many of the squad are coming into their prime: just three of the 31 are younger than 23 or older than 32 and 11 have more than 50 international caps. The goal of two wins might be a stretch but Howells has plenty to be optimistic about. Based at Dulwich College school for their first two matches in London at the Olympic Stadium and Wembley, Romania should be well rested for their all-important third match against Canada.
Romania’s 31-man squad
Props Mihaita Lazar (Castres), Ion Paulica (Perpignan), Horatiu Pungea (Oyonnax), Alexandru Tarus (Timisoara Saracens), Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne).
Hookers Eugen Capatana (Timisoara Saracens), Andrei Radoi (Timisoara Saracens), Otar Turashvili (Colomiers).
Locks Marius Antonescu (Tarbes), Valentin Popirlan (Timisoara Saracens), Valentin Ursache (Oyonnax), Johannes van Heerden (Baia Mare).
Back-rows Stelian Burcea (Timisoara Saracens), Daniel Carpo (CSM Bucuresti), Viorel Lucaci (Steaua Bucuresti), Mihai Macovei (Colomiers, capt), Ovidiu Tonita (Provence).
Scrum-halves Tudorel Bratu (Dinamo), Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara Saracens), Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti).
Fly-halves Danut Dumbrava (Steaua Bucuresti), Michael Wiringi (Baia Mare).
Centres Csaba Gal (Cluj), Paula Kinikilau (Timisoara Saracens), Florin Vlaicu (CSM Bucuresti).
Wings Adrian Apostol (Baia Mare), Ionut Botezatu (Baia Mare), Florin Ionita (Steaua Bucuresti), Madalin Lemnaru (Timisoara Saracens).
Full-backs Catalin Fercu (Saracens), Sabin Stratila (Steaua Bucuresti).
