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Subscribe to RSS FeedSantamans` strong hand
Tonita will look to take the game to Italy
Romanian head coach Daniel Santamans has selected a strong side for their opening World Cup game against Italy in Marseille on Wednesday.
With a large number of the side playing their club rugby in France they will be used to the conditions and surroundings, and will be more than confident of causing an upset against the Azzurri
The front row of Bogdan Balan, Marius Tincu and Petrisor Toderasc will be more than a match for their much reputed Italian counterparts. Balan, who plays his club rugby for Biarritz is an adept scrummager and more than useful in the loose.
They will be captained by second row Sorin Socol, and he will be partnered by Cristian Petre. Number eight Ovidiu Tonita, of Perpignan, will provide the Oaks with a big ball carrier.
In the backs Romeo Gontineac will start at inside centre, and in the process make this the fourth Rugby World Cup he has appeared in.
Young full back Dan Vlad is included on the bench, and should he come on he will provide Romania with a superb kicking game.
Romania:15 Iulian Dumitras, 14 Catalin Fercu, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Romeo Gontineac, 11 Gabriel Brezoianu, 10 Ionut Dimofte, 9 Lucian Sirbu, 8 Ovidiu Tonita, 7 Alexandru Manta, 6 Florin Corodeanu, 5 Cristian Petre, 4 Sorin Socol (c), 3 Bogdan Balan, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Petrisor Toderasc.
Replacements: 16 Razvan Mavrodin, 17 Cezar Popescu, 18 Cosmin Ratiu, 19 Alexandru Tudori, 20 Valentin Calafeteanu, 21 Ionut Tofan, 22 Dan Vlad.
Date: Wednesday, 15 September 2007
Kick off: 20:00 (18:00 GMT)
Venue: Stade Vélodrome
Referee: Tony Spreadbury
Touch judges: Bryce Lawrence, Lyndon Bray
Television match official: Kelvin Deaker
Assessor: Tappe Henning
