Romania make three more changes to Rugby World Cup 2023 squad

Romania have made three changes to their Rugby World Cup 2023 squad, with Luca Nichitean replacing wing/full-back Gabriel Pop, and centres Mihai Graure and Alexandru Bucur replacing Taylor Gontineac and Hinckley Vaovasa.

The Oaks face Scotland in Lille on Saturday, 30 September, after defeats by Ireland (82-8) and South Africa (76-0) in their opening two games. Their final Pool B match is against Tonga on 8 October.

Romania head coach Eugen Apjok had already been forced to make three changes to his original squad before the tournament began, with Mihai Macovei (calf tear), Mihai Mureșan (shoulder dislocation) and Paul Popoaia (subacromial bursitis and supraspinous tendinitis) replaced by Andre Gorin, Lama Sioeli and Taliauli Sikuea.

Cristi Chirica is the captain of Romania at his first Rugby World Cup, with the squad made up of 19 forwards and 14 backs. 

Changes to the squad are shown in bold.

Forwards

Alexandru Savin (CSA Steaua)

Robert Irimescu (CSM Știința Baia Mare)

Adrian Motoc (Biarritz Olympique)

Florian Roșu (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Dragoș Ser (CSA Steaua)
Damian Strătilă (CSA Steaua)

Backs

Gabriel Rupanu (SCM USV Timișoara)
Florin Surugiu (CSA Steaua)

Tudor Boldor (CS Dinamo)
Luca Nichitean 

Jason Tomane (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Alexandru Bucur
Mihai Graure

Players withdrawn through injury: Mihai Macovei, Mihai Mureșan, Paul Popoaia, Gabriel Pop, Taylor Gontineac, Hinckley Vaovasa.