October 9, 2015
Rugby World Cup Lineups: Italy v Romania
Doug Coil
October 11, 2015
Italy v Romania, Pool D, Sandy Park, Exeter, Kick off 14:30- 9:30am ET
Referee: Pascal Gauzere Assistant Referee: Jerome Garces, Mike Fraser; TV Match Official: George Ayoub
Jacques Brunel has made 2 changes for Italy that lost to Ireland. Alessandro Zanni replaces captain Sergio Parisse, who is not on the 23 man roster. The other change is Tommaso Benvenuti at inside center for Gonzalo Garcia.
Quintin Geldenhuys will take over as captain. Leonardo Ghiraldini, a hooker, is out with an injury.
At 576 caps, this is the lowest total for Italy in a Rugby World Cup match since 2007.
Romania has made two changes to the starting line-up that beat Canada. Daniel Carpo starts at number eight instead of suspended captain Mihai Macovei, while Valentin Calafeteanu starts at scrum-half in place of the injured Florin Surugiu.
If he enters the match, Bratu could become the 10th Romania player to make his test debut in a Rugby World Cup match.
The Oaks starting XV is the second oldest they have fielded for a RWC match at 29 1/2 years.The side has 670 caps, which is the third highest for a RWC match.
This match is for third place in the Pool, which brings automatic qualification to the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan.
Italy Ranked 13th: HC Jacques Brunel Starters: 1. Matias Aguero 2. Andrea Manici 3. Lorenzo Cittadini 4. Quintin Geldenhuys (c) 5. Josh Furno 6. Francesco Minto 7. Simone Favaro 8. Alessandro Zanni 9. Edoardo Gori 10. Tommaso Allan 11. Giovanbattista Venditti 12. Tommaso Benvenuti 13. Michele Campagnaro 14. Leonardo Sarto 15. Luke McLean Replacements: 16. Davide Giazzon 17. Alberto De Marchi 18. Dario Chistolini 19. Valerio Bernabò 20. Samuela Vunisa 21. Guglielmo Palazzani 22. Carlo Canna 23. Enrico Bacchin
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 (c) 7. Viorel Lucaci 8. Daniel Carpo 9. Valentin Calafeteanu 10. Michael Wiringi 11. Ionut Botezatu 12. Florin Vlaicu 13. Paula Kinikinilau 14. Madalin Lemnaru 15. Catalin Fercu Replacements: 16. Andrei Radoi 17. Andrei Ursache 18. Horatiu Pungea 19. Marius Antonescu 20. Stelian Burcea 21. Tudorel Bratu 22. Adrian Apostol 23. Csaba Gal
