ROMANIA v RUSSIA: Rugby Europe Championship, Division 1A

28.02.2015

Venue: Krasnodar

Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
ROMANIA	2	2	0	0	66	18	48	2	10
GEORGIA	2	2	0	0	84	23	61	1	9
SPAIN	2	1	0	1	51	49	2	1	5
RUSSIA	2	1	0	1	66	65	1	1	5
PORTUGAL	2	0	0	2	25	57	-32	1	1
GERMANY	2	0	0	2	30	110	-80	0	0

Preview
Romania leads the points table at this stage whilst Russia props up the middle. Romania, along with Georgia, are the favourites in this competition.

Romania has had the edge over the Russian’s in recent test history. Since the 2011 Rugby World Cup (in which Russia attended for the first time) Russia has slipped in performances. Against Germany two weeks ago they were well behind until the last quarter. From there they romped away from a tired and eventually ragged German outfit. They will struggle against the Romanians in the forwards.

Romania will continue to build their performances leading up to their clash with Georgia.

Last Five Encounters
18.06.2014 Romania 20-18 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
08.02.2014 Romania 34-3 in Krasnodar (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
08.06.2013 Romania 30-20 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)
09.02.2013 Romania 29-14 in Bucharest (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
25.02.2012 Romania 25-0 in Sotchi (ENC 1A)

Russia last defeated Romania in 2009 winning 28-19 in Bucharest. In 2008 Russia defeated Romania 12-8 in Krasnodar.

Romania Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
14.02.2015 v Spain W 29-8 in Bucharest (REC 1A)
07.02.2015 v Portugal W 37-10 in Lisbon (REC 1A)
22.11.2014 v Canada W 18-9 in Bucharest
15.11.2014 v Japan L 13-18 in Bucharest
08.11.2014 v United States in Bucharest L 17-27

Russia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
14.02.2015 v Germany W 46-22 in Pforzheim (REC 1A)
07.02.2015 v Spain L 20-48 in Madrid (REC 1A)
15.11.2014 v Hong Kong W 39-27 in Hong Kong
08.11.2014 v Hong Kong W 31-10 in Hong Kong
12.10.2014 v Uruguay L 27-36 in Montevideo (WCQ Repechage R2)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Romania 17th, Russia 19th
Europe Table-Romania 8th, Russia 10th

Rugby World Ranking Points
Romania 68.19, Russia 63.57

Prediction: Romania by 12 points.

Teams

Russia

1-Sergey Novoselov (Enisey-STM)
2- Stanislav Selsky (Enisey-STM)
3- Innokenty Zykov (Enisey-STM)
4- Denis Antonov (Slava-CSP)
5- Andrey Ostrikov (Sale Sharks, England)
6- Andrey Temnov (Enisey-STM, captain)
7- Pavel Butenko (Enisey-STM)
8- Viktor Gresev (Krasny Yar)
9- Alexey Shcherban (Enisey-STM)
10- Ramil Gaisin (Enisey-STM)
11- Igor Kurashov (Enisey-STM)
12- Vladimir Rudenko (Krasny Yar)
13- Dimitry Gerasimov (Enisey-STM)
14- Mikhail Babaev (VVA Saracens)
15- Vasily Artemyev (Krasny Yar)
16- Vladislav Korshunov (VVA Saracens)
17- Alexey Volkov (VVA Saracens)
18- Andrey Igretsov (Slava-CSP)
19- Artem Fatakhov (VVA Saracens)
20- Andrey Garbuzov (Krasny Yar)
21- Rushan Yagudin (Krasny Yar)
22- Andrey Otrokov (Krasny Yar)
23- Yuri Kushnarev (Enisey-STM)

http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=374

Romania

1Mihăiţă Lazăr
2. Andrei Rădoi
3. Horaţiu Pungea
4. Valentin Popârlan
5. Marius Sîrbe
6. Viorel Lucaci (căpitan)
7. Vlad Nistor
8. Stelian Burcea
9. Valentin Calafeteanu
10. Dănuţ Dumbravă
11. Ionuţ Botezatu
12. Csaba Gal
13. Robert Dascălu
14. Adrian Apostol
15. Dorin Manole.

Rezerve vor fi:
16. Otar Turaşvili
17. Constantin Pristaviţă
18. Alexandru Ţăruş
19. Marius Antonescu
20. Andrei Gorcioaia
21. Grigoraş Diaconescu
22. Florin Ioniţă
23. Sabin Strătilă

Head Coach: Lyn Howells

http://www.cugetliber.ro/stiri-sport-care-este-primul-xv-al-stejarilor-in-meciul-cu-rusia-248523