Rugby World Cup News

Romeo Gontineac will become the first Romanian to play in four Rugby World Cups after the 71-Test centre was named in coach Daniel Santamans’ 30-man squad for the 2007 competition in France. Gontineac, who like many of the squad play their club rugby in France, has played 10 times for Romania on the World Cup stage and captained his country at the last tournament in Australia four years ago.

However Gontineac is not the only member of Santamans’ squad to boast World Cup experience with 14 others having played in 2003 with Petru Balan, Razvan Mavrodin, Gabriel Brezoianu and Ionut Tofan returning for their third tournament. We look forward to seeing the new rising star scrum half Valentin Calafeteanu show what he can do and continue his impressive performances, from the IRB Nations Cup.

Romania squad:

Forwards (16): Petru Balan, Bogdan Balan, Cezar Popescu, Petrisor Toderasc, Silviu Florea, Marius Tincu, Razvan Mavrodin, Sorin Socol (Captain), Cristian Petre, Valentin Ursache, Augustin Petrichei, Ovidiu Tonita, Florin Corodeanu, Cosmin Ratiu, Alexandru Manta and Alexandru Tudori.

Backs (14): Valentin Calafeteanu, Lucian Sirbu, Ionut Dimofte, Ionut Tofan, Romeo Gontineac, Csaba Gal, Gabriel Brezoianu, Dan Vlad, Catalin Fercu, Ioan Teodorescu, Catalin Nicolae, Iulian Dumitras, Florin Vlaicu and Danut Dumbrava.

Romania have been drawn in Pool C at Rugby World Cup 2007 with favourites New Zealand, Scotland, Italy and debutants Portugal. They face Italy in their opening match in Marseille on 12 September.