Romania have confirmed their traveling squad of 32 for their upcoming tour to South America. The Oaks will take on Chile in Santiago on July 5, followed by Uruguay in Montevideo on July 12 and finally the Argentina XV in Buenos Aires on July 18.
Head Coach David Gérard has named seven new caps as he deals with a string of injuries, and looks at new talent with an eye towards the World Cup. Romania finished third in this year’s Rugby Europe Championship, in doing so earning them a ticket to Australia 2027.
Steaua flanker Cristi Boboc has been named captain for the tour. It’s the first time the 29-year-old will lead his country. He takes on the role in the absence of hooker Ovidiu Cojocariu, back row Cristi Chirica, and fullback Marius Simionescu. All three have led the side in tests over the past year.
Highly-rated midfield prospects Antonio Mitrea and Sebastien Tofan could make their first test appearance. Both are just 19 years old and are part of French academy programs. Castres hooker Lukas Mitu, halfback pairing Toma Mirzac and Stefan Cojocariu, and outside backs Alexandru Harasim and Toni Maftei are the other uncapped inclusions.
Gérard will be assisted in the coaching department by three experienced professionals. Fellow Frenchmen Raphaël Saint-André and Benjamin Lapeyre will take charge of the attack and defense, respectively, while ex-Pumas prop Juan Pablo Orlandi overseas the forwards.
LOOSEHEAD PROP
Ciprian Chiriac (Timisoara) 6 caps
Iulian Hartig (Dinamo) 24 caps
Alexandru Savin (Rapid) 42 caps
HOOKER
Stefan Buruiana (Nevers, FR) 7 caps
Tudor Butnariu (Timisoara) 15 caps
Lukas Mitu (Castres, FR) uncapped
TIGHTHEAD PROP
Vasile Balan (Steaua) 24 caps
Thomas Cretu (Albi, FR) 8 caps
Gheorghe Gajion (Mont-de-Marsan, FR) 15 caps
SECOND ROW
Yanis Horvat (Albi, FR) 3 caps
Andrei Mahu (Massy Essonne, FR) 11 caps
Adrian Motoc (Biarritz, FR) 34 caps
BACK ROW
Cristi Boboc (capt., Steaua) 17 caps
Nicolas Immelman (Baia Mare) 7 caps
Vlad Neculau (Timisoara) 24 caps
Florian Rosu (Baia Mare) 21 caps
Damian Stratila (Steaua) 13 caps
Matthew Tweddle (Steaua) 3 caps
SCRUMHALF
Vladut Bocanet (Baia Mare) 1 cap
Alin Conache (Steaua) 21 caps
Toma Mirzac (Baia Mare) uncapped
FLYHALF
Tudor Boldor (Timisoara) 5 caps
Stefan Cojocariu (Rapid) uncapped
MIDFIELD
Alexandru Bucur (Timisoara) 18 caps
Antonio Mitrea (Aurillac, FR) uncapped
Fonovai Tangimana (Dinamo) 32 caps
Sebastien Tofan (Perpignan, FR) uncapped
OUTSIDE BACKS
Alexandru Harasim (Baia Mare) uncapped
Toni Maftei (Cluj) uncapped
Ovidiu Neagu (Timisoara) 5 caps
Taliauli Sikuea (Baia Mare) 4 caps
Corrado Stetco (Timisoara) 2 caps
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