In addition to the Biarritz forward (Pro D2), who nevertheless saw his red card received against Italy canceled by an independent commission, the pillar Iulian Hartig (RC Bassin d’Arcachon/D4) and the winger Nicolas Onutu (CS Vienne /D3) are in the XV of Romania, 19th nation in the World Rugby rankings which will challenge the XV of Clover, winner of the 2023 Six Nations Tournament with the grand slam up for grabs.
Compared to the last preparation match heavily lost against Italy (57-7), there are three changes within the Oaks which align in their back lines four naturalized players from the Pacific: the opener Hinckley Vaovasa, the winger Tevita Manumua and centers Jason Tomane and Fonovai Tangimana.
Veteran scrum half Florin Surugiu, 38, already present during the 2011 and 2015 World Cups but recently injured, is insufficiently recovered for this first match.
Composition of the XV of Romania against Ireland:
Simionescu – Onutu, Tangimana, Tomane, Manumua – (o) Vaovasa, (m) Rupanu – Neculau, Chirica (head), Rosu – Iancu, Motoc – Gordas, Cojocaru, Hartig
Substitutes: Bardasu, Savin, Gajion, Iftimiciuc, Ser, Conache, Boldor, Gontineac