International Rugby Test: Moldova Look to Win

14.11.2009
Czech Republic v Moldova in Chisinau (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 2A)

Venue: Stadionul "Dinamo"

Referee: Bargaunas (Romania)

Preview
Realistically, neither of these teams has a chance of qualifying for the next World Cup qualifying round. The emphasis will be to avoid relegation and team-build for next season.

Moldova is at the bottom of ENC 2A and are in danger of relegation. They recently lost to Belgium, whereas the Czech Republic were convincing winners over Poland, above them in the 2A table. Although winning in Chisinau is not easy the Czech should win but narrowly.

Previous Encounter
22.11.2008 Czech Republic 11-9 in Prague (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings: Europe Table-Czech Republic 14th, Moldova 17th

Prediction: Czech Republic by 5 points

Teams

Czech Republic Squad
Jan Benda (RC Sparta Praha)
Jiří Buryánek (RC Dragon Brno)
Jíří Černý (RC Tatra Smíchov)
Tomáš Holovský (St. Raphael, France)
Michal Jirman (RC Slavia Praha)
Milan Jirman (RC Slavia Praha)
Václav Jursík (Strasbourg, France)
Ondřej Kutil (Oyonnax, France)
Vojtěch Mára (RC Tatra Smíchov)
Miroslav Němeček (US Oyonnax, France)
Karel Nešpor (RC Slavia Praha)
Petr Okleštěk (RC Auxerre, France)
Vakhtang Pailodze (RC Sparta Praha)
Michal Průša (Bellegrade, France)
Hayden Roche (Civil Service RFC, England)
Jan Rohlík (RC Říčany)
Pavel Šťatný (Lannemezan, France)
Roman Šuster (Auch, France)
Lubos Svoboda (JIMI Vyškov)
Pavel Vokrouhlík (RC Sparta Praha)
Robert Voves (Narbonne, France)
Martin Wognitsch (US Oyonnax, France)
Head Coach: Martin Kafka

Sources: http://www.rugbyunion.cz/nominace-do-moldavie, http://www.ragby.cz/narodni-tym-odcestoval-do-kiseneva and thanks to ‘vis Maior’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3276

Moldova
Team not available