Romania have turned to vastly experienced hooker Marius Tincu to lead their World Cup challenge.
Hooker to lead Oaks challenge
Romania have turned to vastly experienced hooker Marius Tincu to lead their World Cup challenge.
With previous skipper Sorin Socol having controversially withdrawn from the squad back in March, Perpignan's Tincu has been handed the reins for the tournament.
Tincu scored three tries during the 2007 competition, including one against the All Blacks, will also be without the likes of Alex Manta, Bogdan Balan and Petrisor Toderasc for the tournament.
The majority of the initial 31-man squad are based in Romania, although Paulica Ion plies his trade in England with London Irish, while a handful play in France.
Romania: Nicolae Nere (Steaua), Mihaita Lazar (Aix-en-Provence), Silviu Florea (Bordeaux-Begles), Dragos Dima (Blagnac), Paulica Ion (London Irish), Marius Tincu (Perpignan), Bogdan Zebega (Steaua), Andrei Radoi (Baia Mare), Valentin Ursache (Aix-en-Provence), Cristian Petre (Saint-Etienne), Valentin Popirlan (CSM Bucuresti), Cosmin Ratiu (Dinamo), Ovidiu Tonita (Perpignan), Mihai Macovei (Baia Mare), Daniel Carpo (Farul Constanta), Daniel Ianus (Steau),Stelian Burcea (Timisoara), Lucian Sirbu (Millau), Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara), Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti), Danut Dumbrava (Steau), Ionut Dimofte (Baia Mare), Csaba Gal (Baia Mare), Constantin Gheara (Farul Constanta), Ionel Cazan (Steau), Catalin Fercu (Timisoara), Madalin Lemnaru (Timisoara), Stefan Ciuntu (Baia Mare), Florin Vlaicu (Steau), Iulian Dumitras (Lourdes), Catalin Nicolae (Farul Constanta)
