Romania national rugby union team
Encyclopedia
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks (Stejarii), is the representative side of Romania
in rugby union
. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations
, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cup
s, and currently compete in the first division of the European Nations Cup
, where most recently in the 2008–2010 competition
they finished third. Rugby union in Romania
is administered by the Romanian Rugby Federation. The team plays in yellow and blue strips.
France
first played Test rugby against Romania in 1924 when they tried to establish a rival to the Five Nations championship. At their best, during the 1980s, the national side defeated Wales
(twice), Scotland
(the 1984 Grand Slam side) and France (twice). In 1981, they lost to the All Blacks
14–6 but had two tries disallowed. Many felt it was wrong for the rugby powers to fail to bring them in to top-flight competition. There are even rumours that the Oaks were invited to join but refused because the championship took place during their winter break. However, with the subsequent deterioration of the domestic political and economic situation in the country rugby in Romania suffered.
Nonetheless, Romania played in the first seven Rugby World Cup
s from 1987, with their best result being a win during the pool stages. However, the likes of Georgia
have challenged Romania for top spot below the Six Nations, and Georgia, along with Portugal have both won the European Nations Cup (or Six Nations B). Romania played in Pool C at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
, along with Portugal, New Zealand, Italy
and Scotland
. They Played in Pool D in Rugby World Cup 2011
Romania's first international was played against the USA in 1919. France
first played rugby union against Romania in May 1924 when they tried to establish a rival to the Five Nations Championship (now the Six Nations). France were victorious by 59 points to 3.
Romania were one of three teams who entered the 1924 Olympics in Paris
. France won 59–3, scoring 13 tries including four by the fine Stade Francais winger Adolphe Jaureguy. The USA then defeated Romania 39–0. Romania finishing third claimed the bronze medal. The Federaţia Română de Rugby was formed in 1931. In 1939 a team was formed in Braşov at an aircraft factory. This was the first team outside Bucharest.
A generation of French school trained coaches from late ’40s, and ’50s built a system and led the national team to success of the 1960s, ’70s and early ’80s. In this era Romania began to compete more regularly against the major nations. Their first win over France came in 1960, and in 1976 they made a tour of New Zealand. Exposure to international rugby developed the country's game and they began to form their own distinctive style of play, built around giant, bruising packs. That they were emerging as a real force on the world stage became clear at Cardiff Arms Park in 1979 in an unofficial, non-cap match. The Oaks led going into the dying minutes, only a last-gasp drop goal from Gareth Davies salvaged a 13–12 victory for Wales. The improvement continued in 1980, when Romania crushed the French in a record 15–0 win in Bucharest. A trip to Lansdowne Road then yielded a 13–13 draw against Ireland.
In the 1980s the country boasted more than 12,000 players in 110 clubs. Home nations
sides began to award international caps for matches against Romania in 1983. Wales travelled to Bucharest in November 1983 and were totally overwhelmed, falling to a 24–6 defeat. Romania's first win over Scotland came in Bucharest in 1984 and their first away win against Five Nations opposition came in 1988 against Wales; 15–9 at Cardiff Arms Park.
Their national side beat Wales
(twice – 1983: 24 – 6 in Romania, 1988: 15–9 in Wales), Scotland
(the 1984 Grand Slam side 28 – 22 in Romania), France
(twice 1980: 15 – 0 in Romania, 1982: 13 – 9 in Romania) and drew with Ireland (13–13, in 1980, at Dublin). In 1981, they lost to the All Blacks
14–6 but had two tries disallowed. Many felt it was wrong for the rugby union powers to fail to bring them in to top-flight competition. There are even rumours that the Oaks were invited to join but refused because the championship took place during their winter break. Romanian beat Zimbabwe 21–20 in their first ever Rugby World Cup match in 1987 but did not win any other games and failed to progress beyond the group stage.
, an army officer who was shot dead at a roadblock.
Post-revolution, Romanian rugby union was still alive and kicking. In 1990 they recorded their best win to date by beating France 12–6 on French soil for the first time. The following year they beat Scotland 18–12. At the 1991 World Cup they managed to beat Fiji 17–15 and as recently as the 1995 World Cup
, Romania held the eventual winners South Africa
to a highly respectable 21–8.
The professionalism that followed immediately upon the heels of that World Cup was the undoing of the sport in Romania. Approximately 200 Romanian players are thought to be playing in France
and Italy
. It wasn't just playing numbers that suffered, but a whole generation of potential referees and administrators was lost to the game. By 1994 Romania's rugby fortunes had declined sharply, when a Welsh team travelled to Bucharest for an uncapped international the visitors came away with a 16–9 win. In 1997 the Romanians toured Wales. They lost 36–21 to Wales A at Pontypridd and 70–21 in a test held in Wrexham. At the 1999 World Cup Romania could again only manage a single win 27–25 against the United States. Since then Romania's playing numbers have dropped by 75% while its clubs have dwindled to just 28, none of which can boast its own clubhouse.
In 2000, Romania won the first European Nations Cup
by a large margin, recording victories in all four matches. By 2001, Romania had been caught by the likes of Georgia
who defeated them to take the 2001 European Nations Cup
, crowned with a decisive 31–20 win over Romania in Bucharest. The national side lost to England
by 134–0 in 2001 and Dinamo Bucharest lost 151–0 to Saracens in the European Rugby Shield. Several French-based players refused to turn up for the England debacle simply because their clubs refused to pay them for the week. Players in that Romanian squad were getting £30 a day in expenses while England's top earners scooped £6,000 for their afternoon's work.
In January 2002, Bernard Charreyre
was appointed coach of the national team both supplied by and paid by the French Rugby Federation (FFR). Under Charreyre (known by The Oaks as 'Little Napoleon'), the Oaks’ decline has been stopped and the team has started to slowly climb from the basement of international rugby union. With a change of format in the European Nations Cup, Romania started in 2002 trailing Georgia due to the inclusion of 2001 results. The Oaks managed to win all of the remaining five games, including a hard-fought 31–23 victory in Tbilisi to win the tournament. They qualified for the World Cup in 2003, where they beat Namibia and lost to Ireland (45–17), after an honourable display, and then to Australia (90–8) and Argentina (50–3). Charreyre was dismissed after the World Cup as the Romanian Federation was not satisfied by the World Cup performance and decided not to renew his contract. Three other French coaches followed: first, Phillipe Sauton, for a very short period, Robert Antonin as a temporary stand-in and then Daniel Santamans.
In the 2003–2004 European Nations Cup, Portugal were surprise 16–15 winners over Romania in Lisbon
and installed themselves on the top of the 2003 table. In the second half of the competition, Romania seemed back on track (36–6 against Portugal in Constanţa
), but went down 24–33 to Russia in Krasnodar
following allegations of players having been doped. Then Portugal clinched their first title with a last-minute 19–18 win over Russia in Lisbon
. In 2004, the Romanians scored a narrow 25–24 victory over Italy
, their first victory to date over a Six Nations Championship
side.
In 2005 Romania was given 'second tier' status by the IRB
and replaced Russia in the Super Powers Cup
. The USA beat a Romanian team stripped of their France-based players 23–16 in the third place play-off. The 2005–06 European Nations Cup also served as a qualifying group
for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
. Romania triumphed despite finishing level on points with Georgia.
Romania qualified for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, finishing at the top of their pool during the Round 5 of the European qualifying tournaments. Romania won their first qualifying match on October 7, defeating Georgia in Bucharest 20–8. Their 43–20 win over Spain in Madrid on October 14 ensured that they qualified directly for the World Cup in 2007. In June 2007, Romania hosted the IRB Nations Cup in Bucuresti. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup
finals, Romania managed to win a bonus point in the 18–24 loss to Italy
and to win a second game with Portugal
by a narrow margin (14–10), but suffered heavy losses to Scotland
(42–0) and New Zealand (85–8).
On 21 March 2009, Romania lost 22–21 at home to Portugal
, leaving them with an uphill struggle to qualify for the 2011 World Cup – qualification for which is determined by performances in the European Nations Cup in 2009 and 2010. Romania went unbeaten, with a draw at Russia
, in the 2010 phase of the European Nations Cup. The Oaks' strong finish put them in third place and the final phase of the European qualification playoffs, in which they easily defeated Ukraine
over two legs (94–10 on aggregate) for the European place in the Final Place Playoff for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Romania emerged as the last qualifier for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand by overcoming first Tunisia in a winner-takes-it-all game (56–13) and later Uruguay (60–33 on aggregate). Thus, the Oaks are one of only 12 teams to participate at all World Cups alongside New Zealand, Australia, England, France, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, Canada, and Japan.
, having won the tournament four times since it was introduced in 2000 to replace the FIRA Trophy: in 2000
, 2001–2002
, 2004–2006
and 2010
.
:
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
in rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
s, and currently compete in the first division of the European Nations Cup
European Nations Cup (rugby union)
The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
, where most recently in the 2008–2010 competition
2008-2010 European Nations Cup First Division
The 2008–10 European Nations Cup First Division was the 7th edition of the championship since it was reformed in 2000. The championship not only determined the champions of the ENC but it also acted as an element of European qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.At present,...
they finished third. Rugby union in Romania
Rugby union in Romania
Rugby union is a fairly popular team sport played in Romania with a tradition of more than 90 years. Romania's men's national team was 18th in the IRB World Rankings as of July 2011. -Governing body:...
is administered by the Romanian Rugby Federation. The team plays in yellow and blue strips.
France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
first played Test rugby against Romania in 1924 when they tried to establish a rival to the Five Nations championship. At their best, during the 1980s, the national side defeated Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
(twice), Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
(the 1984 Grand Slam side) and France (twice). In 1981, they lost to the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
14–6 but had two tries disallowed. Many felt it was wrong for the rugby powers to fail to bring them in to top-flight competition. There are even rumours that the Oaks were invited to join but refused because the championship took place during their winter break. However, with the subsequent deterioration of the domestic political and economic situation in the country rugby in Romania suffered.
Nonetheless, Romania played in the first seven Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
s from 1987, with their best result being a win during the pool stages. However, the likes of Georgia
Georgia national rugby union team
The Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try"...
have challenged Romania for top spot below the Six Nations, and Georgia, along with Portugal have both won the European Nations Cup (or Six Nations B). Romania played in Pool C at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
, along with Portugal, New Zealand, Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
and Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
. They Played in Pool D in Rugby World Cup 2011
Early history
The game itself was introduced by students returning with rugby balls from their studies in Paris to form clubs such as Stadiul Roman from 1913 onwards. Seventeen other teams would be formed in the capital, Bucharest.Romania's first international was played against the USA in 1919. France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
first played rugby union against Romania in May 1924 when they tried to establish a rival to the Five Nations Championship (now the Six Nations). France were victorious by 59 points to 3.
Romania were one of three teams who entered the 1924 Olympics in Paris
Rugby union at the 1924 Summer Olympics
Rugby union was played at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Three teams entered – France, Romania and the United States. The United States was returning to defend their gold medal after they defeated the French at the 1920 Summer Olympics. Each country played two games...
. France won 59–3, scoring 13 tries including four by the fine Stade Francais winger Adolphe Jaureguy. The USA then defeated Romania 39–0. Romania finishing third claimed the bronze medal. The Federaţia Română de Rugby was formed in 1931. In 1939 a team was formed in Braşov at an aircraft factory. This was the first team outside Bucharest.
Post-World War II
The communist regime used rugby union like it used other sports, as a propaganda tool during the cold war with the West. Every international success was presented as a direct result of the righteousness of the communist rule and ideology. All the financial resources were directed toward the preparation of the national team to the detriment of domestic development. Top players were employed in the army or the police, whose sides Steaua and Dynamo sides who practised six days a week in superb sporting centres. This infrastructure bred a talented national side.A generation of French school trained coaches from late ’40s, and ’50s built a system and led the national team to success of the 1960s, ’70s and early ’80s. In this era Romania began to compete more regularly against the major nations. Their first win over France came in 1960, and in 1976 they made a tour of New Zealand. Exposure to international rugby developed the country's game and they began to form their own distinctive style of play, built around giant, bruising packs. That they were emerging as a real force on the world stage became clear at Cardiff Arms Park in 1979 in an unofficial, non-cap match. The Oaks led going into the dying minutes, only a last-gasp drop goal from Gareth Davies salvaged a 13–12 victory for Wales. The improvement continued in 1980, when Romania crushed the French in a record 15–0 win in Bucharest. A trip to Lansdowne Road then yielded a 13–13 draw against Ireland.
In the 1980s the country boasted more than 12,000 players in 110 clubs. Home nations
Home Nations
Home Nations is a collective term with one of two meanings depending on the context. Politically, it means the nations of the constituent countries of the United Kingdom...
sides began to award international caps for matches against Romania in 1983. Wales travelled to Bucharest in November 1983 and were totally overwhelmed, falling to a 24–6 defeat. Romania's first win over Scotland came in Bucharest in 1984 and their first away win against Five Nations opposition came in 1988 against Wales; 15–9 at Cardiff Arms Park.
Their national side beat Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
(twice – 1983: 24 – 6 in Romania, 1988: 15–9 in Wales), Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
(the 1984 Grand Slam side 28 – 22 in Romania), France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
(twice 1980: 15 – 0 in Romania, 1982: 13 – 9 in Romania) and drew with Ireland (13–13, in 1980, at Dublin). In 1981, they lost to the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
14–6 but had two tries disallowed. Many felt it was wrong for the rugby union powers to fail to bring them in to top-flight competition. There are even rumours that the Oaks were invited to join but refused because the championship took place during their winter break. Romanian beat Zimbabwe 21–20 in their first ever Rugby World Cup match in 1987 but did not win any other games and failed to progress beyond the group stage.
After the collapse of Communism
However, with the deterioration of the domestic political and economic situation in the country in the 1990s, Romanian rugby union suffered; the two leading rugby union teams – Dinamo Bucharest and Steaua Bucharest, represented the police and the army respectively, so their state funding fell. Several leading rugby union players lost their lives in the 1989 revolution. Among the dead was Romania's skipper, Florică MurariuFlorica Murariu
Florică Murariu was a Romanian rugby union player. He won 69 caps for Romania and scored 8 tries. He played as a flanker....
, an army officer who was shot dead at a roadblock.
Post-revolution, Romanian rugby union was still alive and kicking. In 1990 they recorded their best win to date by beating France 12–6 on French soil for the first time. The following year they beat Scotland 18–12. At the 1991 World Cup they managed to beat Fiji 17–15 and as recently as the 1995 World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
, Romania held the eventual winners South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
to a highly respectable 21–8.
The professionalism that followed immediately upon the heels of that World Cup was the undoing of the sport in Romania. Approximately 200 Romanian players are thought to be playing in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It wasn't just playing numbers that suffered, but a whole generation of potential referees and administrators was lost to the game. By 1994 Romania's rugby fortunes had declined sharply, when a Welsh team travelled to Bucharest for an uncapped international the visitors came away with a 16–9 win. In 1997 the Romanians toured Wales. They lost 36–21 to Wales A at Pontypridd and 70–21 in a test held in Wrexham. At the 1999 World Cup Romania could again only manage a single win 27–25 against the United States. Since then Romania's playing numbers have dropped by 75% while its clubs have dwindled to just 28, none of which can boast its own clubhouse.
The new millennium
European Nations Cup (rugby union)
The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
by a large margin, recording victories in all four matches. By 2001, Romania had been caught by the likes of Georgia
Georgia national rugby union team
The Georgia national rugby union team represents Georgia in rugby union. The team's nickname, The Lelos, comes from lelo burti, a traditional Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try"...
who defeated them to take the 2001 European Nations Cup
European Nations Cup (rugby union)
The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
, crowned with a decisive 31–20 win over Romania in Bucharest. The national side lost to England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
by 134–0 in 2001 and Dinamo Bucharest lost 151–0 to Saracens in the European Rugby Shield. Several French-based players refused to turn up for the England debacle simply because their clubs refused to pay them for the week. Players in that Romanian squad were getting £30 a day in expenses while England's top earners scooped £6,000 for their afternoon's work.
In January 2002, Bernard Charreyre
Bernard Charreyre
Bernard Charreyre is a French rugby union coach and a former footballer.He won the title of French Junior Championship at USA Perpignan, in 1969. He would play most of his career at Asptt Paris, where he stayed 14 years....
was appointed coach of the national team both supplied by and paid by the French Rugby Federation (FFR). Under Charreyre (known by The Oaks as 'Little Napoleon'), the Oaks’ decline has been stopped and the team has started to slowly climb from the basement of international rugby union. With a change of format in the European Nations Cup, Romania started in 2002 trailing Georgia due to the inclusion of 2001 results. The Oaks managed to win all of the remaining five games, including a hard-fought 31–23 victory in Tbilisi to win the tournament. They qualified for the World Cup in 2003, where they beat Namibia and lost to Ireland (45–17), after an honourable display, and then to Australia (90–8) and Argentina (50–3). Charreyre was dismissed after the World Cup as the Romanian Federation was not satisfied by the World Cup performance and decided not to renew his contract. Three other French coaches followed: first, Phillipe Sauton, for a very short period, Robert Antonin as a temporary stand-in and then Daniel Santamans.
In the 2003–2004 European Nations Cup, Portugal were surprise 16–15 winners over Romania in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
and installed themselves on the top of the 2003 table. In the second half of the competition, Romania seemed back on track (36–6 against Portugal in Constanţa
Constanta
Constanța is the oldest extant city in Romania, founded around 600 BC. The city is located in the Dobruja region of Romania, on the Black Sea coast. It is the capital of Constanța County and the largest city in the region....
), but went down 24–33 to Russia in Krasnodar
Krasnodar
Krasnodar is a city in Southern Russia, located on the Kuban River about northeast of the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. It is the administrative center of Krasnodar Krai . Population: -Name:...
following allegations of players having been doped. Then Portugal clinched their first title with a last-minute 19–18 win over Russia in Lisbon
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
. In 2004, the Romanians scored a narrow 25–24 victory over Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
, their first victory to date over a Six Nations Championship
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
side.
In 2005 Romania was given 'second tier' status by the IRB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
and replaced Russia in the Super Powers Cup
Super Powers Cup
The Super Cup was an annual international rugby union competition contested by national teams from Canada, Japan, Russia and the United States. It was previously known as the Super Powers Cup....
. The USA beat a Romanian team stripped of their France-based players 23–16 in the third place play-off. The 2005–06 European Nations Cup also served as a qualifying group
2007 Rugby World Cup - European qualification
2007 Rugby World Cup - European qualification was based around the European Nations Cup, and decided which European teams participated in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. The group stages counted towards both qualification and the European Nations Cup...
for the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
. Romania triumphed despite finishing level on points with Georgia.
Romania qualified for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, finishing at the top of their pool during the Round 5 of the European qualifying tournaments. Romania won their first qualifying match on October 7, defeating Georgia in Bucharest 20–8. Their 43–20 win over Spain in Madrid on October 14 ensured that they qualified directly for the World Cup in 2007. In June 2007, Romania hosted the IRB Nations Cup in Bucuresti. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
finals, Romania managed to win a bonus point in the 18–24 loss to Italy
Italy national rugby union team
The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,...
and to win a second game with Portugal
Portugal national rugby union team
The Portugal national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union side representing Portugal. They first played in 1935 and now compete in the European Nations Cup. Rugby union in Portugal is administered by the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby. Portugal qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in...
by a narrow margin (14–10), but suffered heavy losses to Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
(42–0) and New Zealand (85–8).
On 21 March 2009, Romania lost 22–21 at home to Portugal
Portugal national rugby union team
The Portugal national rugby union team is a third tier rugby union side representing Portugal. They first played in 1935 and now compete in the European Nations Cup. Rugby union in Portugal is administered by the Federação Portuguesa de Rugby. Portugal qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in...
, leaving them with an uphill struggle to qualify for the 2011 World Cup – qualification for which is determined by performances in the European Nations Cup in 2009 and 2010. Romania went unbeaten, with a draw at Russia
Russia national rugby union team
The Russian National Rugby Union Team, is the national team representing Russia at the sport of rugby union.Rugby union in Russia is administered by the Rugby Union of Russia . The RUR is the official successor union of the Soviet Union and the combined CIS team which played in the early 1990s...
, in the 2010 phase of the European Nations Cup. The Oaks' strong finish put them in third place and the final phase of the European qualification playoffs, in which they easily defeated Ukraine
Ukraine national rugby union team
The Ukraine national rugby union team represents Ukraine at the sport of rugby union. Ukraine have been playing international rugby union since the early 1990s. So far they have not qualified for a Rugby World Cup. They participate in the European Nations Cup....
over two legs (94–10 on aggregate) for the European place in the Final Place Playoff for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Romania emerged as the last qualifier for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand by overcoming first Tunisia in a winner-takes-it-all game (56–13) and later Uruguay (60–33 on aggregate). Thus, the Oaks are one of only 12 teams to participate at all World Cups alongside New Zealand, Australia, England, France, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, Canada, and Japan.
Honours
- Rugby union at the Summer OlympicsRugby union at the Summer OlympicsRugby union has been a men's medal sport at the modern Summer Olympic Games, being played at four of the first seven competitions. The sport debuted at the 1900 Paris games where the gold medal was won by the host nation. It was subsequently featured at the London games in 1908, the Antwerp games...
- Bronze Medal (1): 1924Rugby union at the 1924 Summer OlympicsRugby union was played at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Three teams entered – France, Romania and the United States. The United States was returning to defend their gold medal after they defeated the French at the 1920 Summer Olympics. Each country played two games...
- European Nations CupEuropean Nations Cup (rugby union)The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
- Winner (9): 1968–19691968–1969 FIRA Nations CupThe Nations Cup 1968-69 was the ninth edition of a European rugby union championship for national teams, and fourth with the formula and the name of "Nations Cup".The tournament, was won for the first time by Romania- First division :*Table...
, 1974–19751974–1975 FIRA TrophyThe 1974-1975 FIRA Trophy was the 15th edition of a European rugby union championship for national teams, and second the formula and the name of "FIRA Trophy".The tournament was won by Romania, that defeated France in the opening match.- First division :...
, 1976–19771976–1977 FIRA TrophyThe 1976-1977 FIRA Trophy was the 17th edition of a European rugby union championship for national teams.The tournament was won by Romania- First division :*TableMarocco relegated to division 2 The 1976-1977 FIRA Trophy was the 17th edition of a European rugby union championship for national...
, 1980–19811980–1981 FIRA TrophyThe 1980-81 FIRA Trophy was the 21st edition of a European rugby union championship for national teams.The tournament was won by Romania- First division :*TableSpain and Poland relegated to division 2*Results----------------...
, 1982–19831982–1983 FIRA TrophyThe 1982-83 FIRA Trophy was the 23rd edition of a European rugby union championship for national teams.The tournament was won by Romania- First division :The first division return to six teams participating*TableGermany relegated to second...
, 2000European Nations Cup First Division 2000The 2000 European Nations Cup was the newly formed European Championship for second tier nations. The main reformation of the competition was down to the induction of professionalism & Italy being granted a place in the Six Nations....
, 2001–20022001-2002 European Nations Cup First DivisionThe 2001/2002 European Nations Cup was the 3rd Edition of the newly reformed European Championship. It was the first championship to be decided over two years.Since the format had changed at the end of 2001, Georgia where allowed to keep their 2001 title...
, 2004–20062004-2006 European Nations Cup First DivisionThe 2004-2006 European Nations Cup doubled up as an element of qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2007. Ukraine replaced Spain as Champions of Division 2A.-Table:- Results of 2004-2005 Sesason...
, 2009–2010 - Antim CupAntim CupThe Antim Cup is contested between the rugby union teams of Romania and Georgia . It is named after the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthim the Iberian, who came from Georgia....
- Winner (5): 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010
ENC
Romania competes annually in the European Nations CupEuropean Nations Cup (rugby union)
The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
, having won the tournament four times since it was introduced in 2000 to replace the FIRA Trophy: in 2000
European Nations Cup First Division 2000
The 2000 European Nations Cup was the newly formed European Championship for second tier nations. The main reformation of the competition was down to the induction of professionalism & Italy being granted a place in the Six Nations....
, 2001–2002
2001-2002 European Nations Cup First Division
The 2001/2002 European Nations Cup was the 3rd Edition of the newly reformed European Championship. It was the first championship to be decided over two years.Since the format had changed at the end of 2001, Georgia where allowed to keep their 2001 title...
, 2004–2006
2004-2006 European Nations Cup First Division
The 2004-2006 European Nations Cup doubled up as an element of qualification for the Rugby World Cup 2007. Ukraine replaced Spain as Champions of Division 2A.-Table:- Results of 2004-2005 Sesason...
and 2010
2008-2010 European Nations Cup First Division
The 2008–10 European Nations Cup First Division was the 7th edition of the championship since it was reformed in 2000. The championship not only determined the champions of the ENC but it also acted as an element of European qualification for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.At present,...
.
| Year(s) | GP | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 120–39 | 12 | 1st |
| 2001 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 152–143 | 13 | 2nd |
| 2001–02 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 373–148 | 28 | 1st |
| 2003–04 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 320–123 | 26 | 2nd |
| 2004–06 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 294 | 26 | 1st |
| 2006–08 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 144–133 | 22 | 3rd |
| 2009 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 104–88 | 9 | 4th |
| 2010 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 178–48 | 14 | 1st |
World Cup
| Year(s) | Results |
|---|---|
| 1991 1991 Rugby World Cup The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the... |
Qualified. One win in pool stages. |
| 1995 1995 Rugby World Cup The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country.... |
Qualified. No wins in pool stages. |
| 1999 1999 Rugby World Cup The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup, and the first to be held in rugby union's professional era. The principal host nation was Wales, although the majority of matches were played outside the country, shared between England, France, Scotland and Ireland... |
Qualified. One win in pool stages. |
| 2007 2007 Rugby World Cup The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,... |
Qualified. One win in pool stages. |
| 2011 2011 Rugby World Cup The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005... |
Qualified. |
Overall record
Their Test match record against all nations, updated to November 27, 2010, is as follows:| Nation | Games | Won | Lost | Drawn | Percentage of wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | % | |
| 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | % | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | % | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | % | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | % | |
| 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | % | |
| 20 | 19 | 0 | 1 | % | |
| 13 | 12 | 0 | 1 | % | |
| 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | % | |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | % | |
| 50 | 8 | 40 | 2 | % | |
| 13 | 8 | 6 | 0 | % | |
| 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | % | |
| 9 | 0 | 8 | 1 | % | |
| 41 | 16 | 22 | 3 | % | |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | % | |
| 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | % | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | % | |
| 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | % | |
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | % | |
| 20 | 18 | 2 | 0 | % | |
| 16 | 14 | 2 | 0 | % | |
| 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | % | |
| 12 | 2 | 10 | 0 | % | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | % | |
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | % | |
| 22 | 18 | 3 | 1 | % | |
| 27 | 26 | 1 | 0 | % | |
| 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | % | |
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | % | |
| 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | % | |
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | % | |
| 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | % | |
| 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | % | |
| 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | % | |
| Total | 356 | 209 | 135 | 12 | % |
Current squad
30-man Romania squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
:
| Position | Club | Club competition | |
| Valentin Calafeteanu Valentin Calafeteanu Valentin Niculae Calafeteanu is a Romanian rugby union footballer. His position on the field is scrum-half... |
Scrum-half |  TimişoaraRC Timişoara Rugby Club Municipal Timişoara is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Timişoara, which will play the 2011 season in the Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby... |
DN |
| Lucian Sîrbu Lucian Sîrbu Lucian Sîrbu is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He plays as a scrum-half.Sîrbu played at Steaua Bucureşti, in Romania, until moving to Racing Métro 92, in France. He moved to AS Béziers, in 2007.... |
Scrum-half |  Millau |
Fédérale 3 Fédérale 3 Fédérale 3 is the fifth division of rugby union in France. The competition involves 226 clubs in 21 pools of 8, and winners can progress up into higher division of competition. The competition above Fédérale 3 is Fédérale 2 and above that, Fédérale 1... |
| Florin Surugiu | Scrum-half | CSM Bucureşti |
DN |
| Ionuţ Dimofte Ionut Dimofte Ionuţ Dimofte is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He plays for the Romanian team of Baia Mare, the current Romanian champion club... |
Fly-half | Baia Mare CSM Baia Mare (rugby) Clubul Sportiv Municipal Baia Mare is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Baia Mare, which will play the 2011 season in Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby.- Achievements :*Divizia Naţională:... |
DN |
| Dănuţ Dumbravă Danut Dumbrava Dănuţ Dumbravă, commonly used variant of Dan Dumbravă is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He plays as a fly-half and a fullback.He currently plays for CSA Steaua Bucureşti.... |
Fly-half | Steaua |
DN |
| Ionel Cazan | Centre | Steaua |
DN |
| Csaba Gál Minya Csaba Gál Minya Csaba Gál is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He plays as a centre.Gál first played at U Cluj, moving to Dinamo Bucharest, in 2004, where he still develops. He also plays internationally for Bucureşti Oaks at the European Challenge Cup.He was selected for the Romania squad that entered the... |
Centre | Baia Mare CSM Baia Mare (rugby) Clubul Sportiv Municipal Baia Mare is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Baia Mare, which will play the 2011 season in Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby.- Achievements :*Divizia Naţională:... |
DN |
| Constantin Gheară | Centre | Farul Farul Constanţa (rugby) Rugby Club Județean Farul Constanța is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Constanța, which will play the 2011 season in Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby... |
DN |
| Ştefan Ciuntu | Wing | Baia Mare CSM Baia Mare (rugby) Clubul Sportiv Municipal Baia Mare is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Baia Mare, which will play the 2011 season in Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby.- Achievements :*Divizia Naţională:... |
DN |
| Cătălin Fercu Catalin Fercu Cătălin Fercu is a Romanian rugby union player. He has played in 19 international matches for Romania. Fercu plays on the fullback position.... |
Wing | Timișoara RC Timişoara Rugby Club Municipal Timişoara is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Timişoara, which will play the 2011 season in the Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby... |
DN |
| Mădălin Lemnaru | Wing | Timișoara RC Timişoara Rugby Club Municipal Timişoara is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Timişoara, which will play the 2011 season in the Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby... |
DN |
| Cătălin Nicolae Cătălin Nicolae Cătălin Nicolae is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He plays as a wing.Nicolae played for CSA Steaua Bucureşti , but now plays for Farul Constanţa.... |
Wing | Farul Farul Constanţa (rugby) Rugby Club Județean Farul Constanța is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Constanța, which will play the 2011 season in Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby... |
DN |
| Iulian Dumitraș Iulian Dumitraş Iulian Dumitraş is a Romanian rugby union player. He plays as a fly-half and as a fullback.Dumitraş played in France for Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby, Section Paloise and plays for SC Albi since 2008/09.... |
Fullback | Lourdes FC Lourdes FC Lourdais is a French rugby union club currently competing in the French league system. Formed in 1911 they have won the French league eight times and the French cup six times. They play in the Stade Antoine-Beguere and traditionally wear blue and red jerseys. Their most notable former player is... |
Fédérale 1 Fédérale 1 Le championnat de France de première division fédérale, a.k.a. Fédérale 1, is a French rugby union club competition, the highest level of amateur rugby. The competition has been organised by the Fédération Française de Rugby since 2000, when it replaced the B2 Group... |
| Florin Vlaicu Florin Vlaicu Florin Vlaicu is a rugby union footballer who plays for Bucureşti Rugby in European club competition and for Romania internationally. Vlaicu plays mainly at wing and made his international debut in 2006 as a substitute against Ukraine... |
Fullback | Steaua |
DN |
| Position | Club | Club competition | |
| Marius Tincu Marius Tincu Marius Tincu is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He plays as a hooker. Since 2007, he holds dual French-Romanian citizenship.... (c) Captain (sports) In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field... |
Hooker | Perpignan USA Perpignan Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French... |
Top 14 |
| Bogdan Zebega | Hooker | Steaua |
DN |
| Dragoş Dima | Prop | Blagnac Blagnac SCR Blagnac Sporting Club Rugby is a French rugby union team that currently takes part in Fédérale 1, the top level of the country's amateur league system. The club is currently attempting to make a comeback to the professional ranks after having been relegated due to both sporting and financial issues... |
Fédérale 1 Fédérale 1 Le championnat de France de première division fédérale, a.k.a. Fédérale 1, is a French rugby union club competition, the highest level of amateur rugby. The competition has been organised by the Fédération Française de Rugby since 2000, when it replaced the B2 Group... |
| Silviu Florea Silviu Florea Silviu Florea is a Romanian rugby union player. He plays as a prop.He played for RC Cannes-Mandelieu, before returning to Romania, were he played for Steaua Bucharest, from 2003 to 2006, winning the title of National Champion... |
Prop | Bordeaux |
Top 14 |
| Paulică Ion Paulica Ion Paulică Ion is a Romanian rugby union footballer. A tighthead prop, He started his career with CSA Steaua Bucureşti, before moving to Bath in 2007 and currently plays for London Irish. As of 2008, he has played 22 games for the Romanian national team, scoring a try... |
Prop |  London IrishLondon Irish London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top... |
Aviva Premiership |
| Mihăiţă Lazăr | Prop | Aix-en-Provence Pays d'Aix RC Pays d'Aix RC is a French rugby union club currently playing in Pro D2, the second tier of the country's professional system. They arrived in Pro D2 for the 2009–10 season after earning promotion from the top amateur league, Fédérale 1.... |
Pro D2 Rugby Pro D2 Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second level of domestic club rugby union in France, below the first division, Top 14. The competition was introduced in 2000. There is relegation and promotion between both the Top 14 and Fédérale 1, the third-level competition... |
| Nicolae Nere | Prop | Steaua |
DN |
| Cristian Petre Cristian Petre Cristian Petre is a Romanian rugby union player. He plays as a lock for the French team of AS Béziers Hérault.He has 72 caps for Romania national rugby union team, since 2001, with 5 tries scored, 25 points in aggregate... |
Lock | Saint-Étienne CA Saint-Étienne Loire Sud Rugby Club Athlétique de Saint-Étienne Loire Sud Rugby, CASE Loire Sud Rugby, or simply CASE, is a French rugby union club from Saint-Étienne in the Loire département. They are currently competing in Fédérale 1, having been relegated from Rugby Pro D2 at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:The club... |
Fédérale 1 Fédérale 1 Le championnat de France de première division fédérale, a.k.a. Fédérale 1, is a French rugby union club competition, the highest level of amateur rugby. The competition has been organised by the Fédération Française de Rugby since 2000, when it replaced the B2 Group... |
| Valentin Popîrlan | Lock | CSM Bucureşti |
DN |
| Cosmin Raţiu Cosmin Raţiu Cosmin Aurel Raţiu is a Romanian rugby union player. He plays as a lock and as a flanker.He played for Dinamo Bucharest until moving to Stade Montois, in France, for the season of 2006/07.... |
Lock | Dinamo |
DN |
| Valentin Ursache Valentin Ursache Valentin Niculai Ursache is a Romanian rugby union player. He plays as a lock.Ursache played for Dinamo Bucharest, in Romania, currently playing for Aix-en-Provence, in the French Pro D2.... |
Lock | Aix-en-Provence Pays d'Aix RC Pays d'Aix RC is a French rugby union club currently playing in Pro D2, the second tier of the country's professional system. They arrived in Pro D2 for the 2009–10 season after earning promotion from the top amateur league, Fédérale 1.... |
Pro D2 Rugby Pro D2 Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second level of domestic club rugby union in France, below the first division, Top 14. The competition was introduced in 2000. There is relegation and promotion between both the Top 14 and Fédérale 1, the third-level competition... |
| Stelian Burcea | Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards... |
Timișoara RC Timişoara Rugby Club Municipal Timişoara is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Timişoara, which will play the 2011 season in the Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby... |
DN |
| Daniel Ianuș | Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards... |
Steaua |
DN |
| Mihai Macovei | Flanker Flanker (rugby union) A flanker is a position in the sport of rugby union. Flankers play in the forwards, and are generally classified as either blindside, or openside flankers; numbers six and seven respectively. The name comes from their position in a scrum in which they flank each set of forwards... |
Baia Mare CSM Baia Mare (rugby) Clubul Sportiv Municipal Baia Mare is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Baia Mare, which will play the 2011 season in Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby.- Achievements :*Divizia Naţională:... |
DN |
| Daniel Carpo | Number eight | Farul Farul Constanţa (rugby) Rugby Club Județean Farul Constanța is a Romanian semi-professional rugby union club from Constanța, which will play the 2011 season in Romanian Rugby Championship, the first division of Romanian rugby... |
DN |
| Ovidiu Toniţa Ovidiu Tonita Ovidiu Toniţa is a Romanian rugby union footballer. A former lock and presently a flanker and number 8, he plays for the French side USA Perpignan and for the Romanian national team. He is noted for his size, which is considered unusual for his position on the field... |
Number eight | Perpignan USA Perpignan Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais or Unió eSportiva Arlequins de Perpinyà , generally abbreviated as USAP in both languages, is a French rugby union club that plays in the city of Perpignan in Pyrénées-Orientales. The club currently competes in the Top 14, the top level of the French... |
Top 14 |
Notable players
- Petru BălanPetru BalanPetru Vladimir Bălan is a Romanian rugby union footballer, currently playing for Biarritz Olympique in the top level of French rugby, the Top 14 competition. He is also a Romanian international, and has played for his national team...
- Gabriel BrezoianuGabriel BrezoianuGabriel Brezoianu is a Romanian rugby union player. He plays as a wing.Having played first at Dinamo Bucureşti , then in Steaua Bucureşti , he moved to Bègles-Bordeaux, in France, here he played from 2000/2001 to 2002/2003...
- Hari Dumitraş
- Romeo GontineacRomeo GontineacRomeo Stefan Gontineac is a former Romanian rugby union player and a current coach. He played as a centre....
- Adrian LunguAdrian LunguAdrian Lungu is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He is the most capped Romanian player, playing 77 times as a center or wing for the Romanian national team. As of 2007, he had scored three tries in international matches...
- Valentin Maftei
- Alexandru MantaAlexandru MantaAlexandru Manta is a Romanian rugby union footballer.-Career:Manta has been playing in France for several years, already playing for at Terrasson , Stade Aurillacois , Bègles-Bordeaux , Section Paloise , Castres Olympique and CA Brive...
- Răzvan MavrodinRăzvan MavrodinRăzvan Mavrodin is a former Romanian rugby union player and a current coach. He played as a hooker.Mavrodin played in France for USA Perpignan, Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby, Section Paloise , returning to Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby for the final season of his career, in 2008/09...
- Viorel MorariuViorel MorariuViorel Morariu is a former Romanian rugby union flanker. He is seen as the most influential Romanian rugby player of his generation....
- Florică MurariuFlorica MurariuFlorică Murariu was a Romanian rugby union player. He won 69 caps for Romania and scored 8 tries. He played as a flanker....
- Mircea ParaschivMircea ParaschivMircea Paraschiv is a former Romanian rugby union player and a current coach. He played as a scrum-half. He is usually considered one of the best Romanian rugby footballers of all times....
- Alexandru PenciuAlexandru PenciuAlexandru Penciu is a former Romanian rugby union player and coach whose role was fullback.Amongst the best players of Romania, he was nicknamed "Alexander the Great" in his home country....
- Adrian Petrache
- Cristian PetreCristian PetreCristian Petre is a Romanian rugby union player. He plays as a lock for the French team of AS Béziers Hérault.He has 72 caps for Romania national rugby union team, since 2001, with 5 tries scored, 25 points in aggregate...
- Sorin SocolSorin SocolSorin Socol in Bucharest, Romania) is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He plays as a lock.He has won 55 caps for Romania and is the current captain. After being voted player of the tournament in the 1996 Under 21 Rugby World Championships where he captained Romania, Socol has played club rugby...
- Marius TincuMarius TincuMarius Tincu is a Romanian rugby union footballer. He plays as a hooker. Since 2007, he holds dual French-Romanian citizenship....
- Ovidiu ToniţaOvidiu TonitaOvidiu Toniţa is a Romanian rugby union footballer. A former lock and presently a flanker and number 8, he plays for the French side USA Perpignan and for the Romanian national team. He is noted for his size, which is considered unusual for his position on the field...
See also
- Antim CupAntim CupThe Antim Cup is contested between the rugby union teams of Romania and Georgia . It is named after the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthim the Iberian, who came from Georgia....
- European Nations CupEuropean Nations Cup (rugby union)The European Nations Cup is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations. The Championship is split into 7 divisions with 5 or 6 teams in each. The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away...
- Super Powers CupSuper Powers CupThe Super Cup was an annual international rugby union competition contested by national teams from Canada, Japan, Russia and the United States. It was previously known as the Super Powers Cup....
- World CupRugby World CupThe Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
- Romanian Rugby Federation
- Rugby union in RomaniaRugby union in RomaniaRugby union is a fairly popular team sport played in Romania with a tradition of more than 90 years. Romania's men's national team was 18th in the IRB World Rankings as of July 2011. -Governing body:...
- Bucureşti RugbyBucuresti RugbyBucureşti are a rugby union team from Bucharest, Romania, that competes in the European Challenge Cup. The side is a team that is formed every season to play in the Challenge Cup, consisting of footballers playing in the domestic Romanian leagues...
- Sport in RomaniaSport in RomaniaThe most popular sport in Romania is football. Other popular sports include team handball, basketball, rugby union, tennis and gymnastics.-Football:...