Romanian Rugby

[dragos03]

It seems that the plane of the Wolves arrived in London with a significant delay last night due to a pilot being sick who had to be replaced. They missed the connecting flight to Newcastle and only got there this morning after only 3 hours of sleep in a Heathrow hotel.

RCM Timisoara will play against the second squad of the Saracens tomorrow and fullback Catalin Fercu might play one half for each team. Sadly, the match will not be on TV.

 

[Croket66]

Any news about squads for this game?

 

[dragos03]

Nothing yet.

 

[amz]

in RW magazine (print edition), Falcons - Wolves is shown as broadcasted by BT but I can't find any stream. Does anybody know if is indeed broadcasted and can be watched somewhere? Thanks!

 

[dragos03]

It won't be broadcasted anywhere. However, it will be live on BBC radio, you can find the link on this page:
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/13629208

It says "UK only" but there might be some ways to bypass that

 

[amz]

hm, found this one which works
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/bbc_radio_newcastle

 

[dragos03]

Newcastle Falcons - Bucharest Wolves 43-19

All the Wolves tries were scored by wingers, Botezatu (2) and Ionita, the Wolves almost scored another try in the last action of the match (would have earned a bonus point). Considering the very weak squad and lack of sleep last night, this isn't such a bad result.

One of the BBC radio commentators said at one point that the Wolves are better than London Welsh

 

[Croket66]

Newcastle Falcons - Bucharest Wolves 43-19

All the Wolves tries were scored by wingers, Botezatu (2) and Ionita, the Wolves almost scored another try in the last action of the match (would have earned a bonus point). Considering the very weak squad and lack of sleep last night, this isn't such a bad result.

One of the BBC radio commentators said at one point that the Wolves are better than London Welsh

Yes I expected a bigger loss but it was also a weak Newcastle team.

About the other international game with a romanian team (Timisoara v. Saracens Storm) some pic of the Storm trip were posted on Timisoara's facebook page.
We can recognize several Storm players :
- Scott Purling, hooker, England U20 international
- Mouritz Botha, lock, 10 caps for England
- Hayden Smith, lock, 21 caps for USA
- Maro Itoje, flanker, Storm's captain, England U20 international
- Hayden Thompson-Stringer, flanker, England U20 international, on dual registration with Bedford (2d division)
- Matt Hankin, flanker, England U20 international, on dual registration with Bedford (2d division)
- Nils Mordt, fly-half, more than 80 Premiership appearances, England Saxons and 7's international
- Tim Streather, centre, 13 first team appearance last season, including a try in HEC semi final against Clermont
- Mike Ellery, winger, England 7's international, new signing from Moseley (2d division - 7 tries last year)

 

[dragos03]

Yes I expected a bigger loss but it was also a weak Newcastle team.

True but remember that last season a much stronger Wolves team lost in Newcastle by a bigger margin (0-28) without scoring a single point. This time a second string squad lost heavily but was able to dominate for one half and almost got an offensive bonus point.

Looks like the Saracens did bring a reasonably strong squad to Timisoara (they will have Fercu as well) but I think the Romanian club has enough quality and can win this match.

 

[Croket66]

Timisoara XV to face Saracens :

1. Alexandru Tarus
2. Eugen Capatana
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Valentin Poparlan
5. Dorin Lazar
6. Randall Morrison
7. Stelian Burcea
8. Daniel Carpo
9. Valentin Calafeteanu
10. Jack Umaga
11. Viliami Moala
12. Paula Kinikinilau
13. Tangimana Fonovai
14. Stephen Shennan
15. Gabriel Conache

16. Marian Gorcioaia
17. Gigi Militaru
18. Sami Maris
19. Ionut Muresan
20. Lautentiu Tanase
21. Victor Dumitru
22. Sosene Anesi
23. Mateo Malupo

rested : Marian Sabau, Cristi Cornei, Sione Taupaki
injured : Marian Drenceanu, Alexandru Mahu, Sione Halalilo, Lemeki Nabelei Davu, Madalin Lemnaru, Jody Rose, Vasile Rus

Saracens Storm squad (to be completed)
Props : ?
Hookers : Scott Purling
Locks : Mouritz Botha, Hayden Smith
Backrow : Maro Itoje, Nick de Jager, Hayden Thompson-Stringer, Matt Hankin
Scrumhalves : ?
Flyhalves : Nils Mordt
Centres : Tim Streather
Wingers : Mike Ellery, Jack Wilson
Fullback : Catalin Fercu

Jack Wilson is an NZ 7's international, played 14 games for Saracens last season and scored 5 tries
Nick de Jager is a South African player. 3 appearances for Saracens

 

[dragos03]

Here's the Saracens squad at Timisoara:

1. Jack Culverhouse,
2. Jack Taylor,
3. Ben Peather,
4. Maro Itoje,
5. Mauritz Botha,
6. Kenneth O”Neill,
7. Matt Haukin,
8. Nick de Jager,
9. Tom Whiteley,
10. Neil Mordt,
11. Mike Elleray,
12. Max Wilkins,
13. Nick Pampkin,
14. George Perkins,
15. Cătălin Fercu

Apparently there are only a few hundred fans in the stadium.The Saracens have already scored a try after 2 minutes (Elleray).

EDIT: RCM Timisoara - Saracens Storm 12-10 at half time, two tries for each team (Burcea and Moala for the hosts).

 

[Croket66]

Here's the Saracens squad at Timisoara:

1. Jack Culverhouse,
2. Jack Taylor,
3. Ben Peather,
4. Maro Itoje,
5. Mauritz Botha,
6. Kenneth O”Neill,
7. Matt Haukin,
8. Nick de Jager,
9. Tom Whiteley,
10. Neil Mordt,
11. Mike Elleray,
12. Max Wilkins,
13. Nick Pampkin,
14. George Perkins,
15. Cătălin Fercu

Apparently there are only a few hundred fans in the stadium.The Saracens have already scored a try after 2 minutes (Elleray).

EDIT: RCM Timisoara - Saracens Storm 12-10 at half time, two tries for each team (Burcea and Moala for the hosts).

Thanks for the updates!
Any links to follow the livescore?

 

[dragos03]

I've only found some live updates here:
http://sporttim.ro/rugby/live-text-rcm-uvt-timisoara-saracens-storm-de-la-ora-18

 

[Croket66]

I've only found some live updates here:
http://sporttim.ro/rugby/live-text-rcm-uvt-timisoara-saracens-storm-de-la-ora-18

Thanks!

 

[dragos03]

Final score was RCM Timisoara - Saracens Storm 15-10, with only a Conache penalty in the second half. Fercu has only played for the Saracens.

 

[dragos03]

Lynn Howells has announced the Romanian squad for the November tests:

Props
Constantin Pristavita (Baia Mare)
Mihaita Lazar (Castres)
Horatiu Pungea (Lyon)
Ion Paulica (Perpignan)
Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne)

Hookers
Andrei Radoi (Ealing Trailfinders)
Otar Turashvili (Farul Constanta)

Locks
Marius Sirbe (Blagnac)
Valentin Poparlan (RCM Timisoara)
Alin Coste (Carcassonne)
Marius Antonescu (Tarbes)

Flankers
Stelian Burcea (RCM Timisoara)
Mihai Macovei (Massy)
Ovidiu Tonita (Aix En Provence)
Vlad Nistor (Castres)
Daniel Carpo (RCM Timisoara)

Scrum halves
Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti)
Grigoras Diaconescu (Steaua)

Fly halves
Valentin Calafeteanu (RCM Timisoara)
Dorin Manole (Orthez)

Centres
Csaba Gal (Baia Mare)
Florin Vlaicu (Farul Constanta)
Robert Dascalu (Steaua)
Andrei Ilie (Farul Constanta)

Wingers
Ionut Botezatu (Baia Mare)
Madalin Lemnaru (RCM Timisoara)
Robert Neagu (Farul Constanta)

Fullbacks
Catalin Fercu (Saracens)

There are some notable absents in the squad, especially flankers Vali Ursache (Oyonnax) and Viorel Lucaci (Steaua) but also Steaua wingers Ionut Dumitru and Florin Ionita. The suprise callups are probably veteran Ovidiu Tonita, Antonescu, Botezatu or Neagu.

However, two additional players will be added after the Superliga semifinals and the U19 European Championships (I wonder what U19 player is considered for selection by Howells).

 

[amz]

However, two additional players will be added after the Superliga semifinals and the U19 European Championships (I wonder what U19 player is considered for selection by Howells).

Probably Cup semifinals but that's very interesting, I wonder which one from U19 will be called. I suspect it might be Palii (CSM Baia Mare) or Stratila (Farul Constanta).

 

[Jayatron]

Final score was RCM Timisoara - Saracens Storm 15-10, with only a Conache penalty in the second half. Fercu has only played for the Saracens.

Big win for Timisoara, shame about the lack of fans.

 

[amz]

Bucharest Wolves squad for Satuday, 25 October match vs Stade Francais:

1. Constantin Pristavita
2. Otar Turashvili
3. Silviu Vasiliu
4. Onal Agiacai
5. Petre Neacsu
6. Valentin Mototolea
7. Johan van Heerden
8. Razvan Ailenei
9. Grigoras Diaconescu
10. Luke Samoa
11. Ionut Botezatu
12. Florin Vlaicu
13. Csaba Gal (captain)
14. Robert Neagu
15. Eugene Jantjies


Bench:
16. Mihai Dico
17. Catalin Beca
18. Paul Rusu
19. Paul Ailenei
20. Alexandru Mitu
21. Florin Surugiu
22. Robert Dascalu
23. Andrei Ilie

A surprise selection of Van Heerden in backrow, his usual position (and only one I've seen him playing) was second row. Than is a switch between Samoa (FB) and Jantjies (SH and last game FH) which seem strange but probably Howells is testing various things.

 

[Croket66]

Big win for Timisoara, shame about the lack of fans.

Here is the crowd

Bucharest Wolves to face Stade Français :
1. Constantin Pristavita,
2. Otar Turashvili,
3. Silviu Vasiliu,
4. Onal Agiacai,
5. Petre Neacsu,
6. Valentin Mototolea,
7. Johan van Heerden,
8. Razvan Ailenei,
9. Grigoras Diaconescu,
10. Luke Samoa,
11. Ionut Botezatu,
12. Florin Vlaicu,
13. Csaba Gal,
14. Robert Neagu,
15. Eugene Jantjies

Rezerve:
16. Mihai Dico,
17. Catalin Beca,
18. Paul Rusu,
19. Paul Ailenei,
20. Alexandru Mitu,
21. Florin Surugiu,
22. Robert Dascalu,
23. Andrei Ilie