Head coach Eugen Apjok makes only one change to his forwards but reshapes has backline for Romania's match against Rugby World Cup 2023's top-ranked team, Ireland, in Bordeaux on Saturday.

1 Iulian Hartig
2 Ovidiu Cojocaru
3 Alexandru Gordas
4 Adrian Motoc
5 Stefan Iancu
6 Florian Rosu
7 Vlad Neculau
8 Cristian Chirica (c)
9 Gabriel Rupanu
10 Hinckley Vaovasa
11 Tevita Manumua
12 Jason Tomane
13 Fonovai Tangimana
14 Nicolas Onutu
15 Marius Simionescu

Replacements:

16 Florin Bardasu
17 Alexandru Savin
18 Gheorghe Gajion
19 Marius Iftimiciuc
20 Dragos Ser
21 Alin Conache
22 Tudor Boldor
23 Taylor Gontineac

  • Eugen Apjok has made three changes of personnel to his starting XV and a host of positional adjustments to the backline from the team that took to the field for the 57-7 defeat by Italy in the Oaks’ last RWC 2023 warm-up match.
  • With Florin Surugiu still not recovered from injury, Romania will field their seventh different half-back partnership of the year as scrum-half Gabriel Rupanu (pictured) plays alongside Hinckley Vaovasa.
  • Vaovasa has only started one previous test at fly-half with his other starts coming at centre, full-back and on the wing.
  • The only change to the pack comes on the blindside where 30-year-old Florian Rosu comes in for Damian Stratila to win his 14th cap.
  • Aside from 9 and 10, Romania go with virtually the same personnel in the backline as they did against Italy but with all wearing different numbered jerseys.
  • Nicolas Onutu shifts from the left wing to the right and former Tonga sevens international, Tevita Manumua moves from inside-centre to fill the gap.