September 22, 2015
Rugby World Cup France v Romania Sep 23, 2015
Doug Coil
France v Romania, Pool D, The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, Kick0ff 20:00 – 3pm ET
Referee: Jaco Peyper; Ass’t Ref: Craig Joubert, Federico Anselmi; TV Match Official: George Ayoub
France have made 13 changes to Saturday’s team for their match against Romania on Wednesday. Louis Picamoles and Noa Nakataici are the only players remaining who will also start in France’s second match. The team’s average age is slightly less than 28.
Frederic Michalak, a reserve, needs only 3 points tol break Thierry Lacroix’s Rugby World Cup points record for France. Michalak has currently scored 122 points.
In France’s first pool match, they won 32-10 against Italy. Even with the replacements, they will be favored.
This match will be Romania’s first Pool match. Romania selected their most experienced Rugby World Cup team ever. The average age is over 29 and the starting 15 have 684 test matches.
Tighthead prop Paulica Ion and fly-half Danut Dumbrava are playing in their 4th RWC, while Ovidiu Tonita will also if he enters the match.
France Ranked 7th: HC Philippe Saint-Andre Starters: 1 Vincent Debaty, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 3 Uini Atonio 4 Bernard Le Roux 5 Alexandre Flanquart 6 Yannick Nyanga 7 Fulgence Ouedrago 8 Louis Picamoles 9 Morgan Parra 10 Remi Tales 11 Noa Nakaitaci 12 Wesley Fofana 13 Gael Fickou 14 Sofiane Guitoune 15 Brice Dulin Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser (H) 17 Eddy Ben Arous (P) 18 Nicolas Mas (P) 19 Yoann Maestri (L) 20 Damien Chouly (8) 21 Rory Kockott (SH) 22 Frederic Michalak (FH) 23 Mathieu Bastareaud (C)
Romania Ranked 17th: HC Lynn Howells Starters: 1 Mihaita Lazar 2 Otar Turashvili 3 Paulica Ion 4 Valentin Poparlan 5 Johannes van Heerden 6 Valentin Ursache 7 Viorel Lucaci 8 Mihai Macovei (captain) 9 Florin Surugiu 10 Danut Dumbrava 11 Adrian Apostol 12 Florin Vlaicu 13 Paula Kinikinilau 14 Madalin Lemnaru 15 Catalin Fercu Replacements: 16 Andrei Radoi 17 Andrei Ursache 18 Horatiu Pungea 19 Ovidiu Tonita 20 Stelian Burcea 21 Valentin Calafeteanu 22 Ionut Botezatu 23 Csaba Gal
