SPAIN v ROMANIA: Rugby Europe Championship, Division 1A

14.02.2015

Venue: Bucharest

Referee: David Wilkinson ( Ireland)

Preview
Following last weekend’s matches this encounter could be a cracker. Sadly it’s debatable as to whether Spain has their strongest team in Bucharest with some players being recalled (or sent) to their professional clubs in France. I was hoping for a real ding-dong clash between to up and coming Spaniards and the number two team in this competition. I’m not so confident now.

Last Five Encounters
22.02.2014 Romania 32-6 in Cluj (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
23.02.2013 Romania 25-15 in Gijon (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
17.03.2012 Spain 13-12 in Madrid (ENC 1A)
19.03.2011 Romania 64-8 in Bucharest (ENC 1A)
27.03.2010 Romania 48-3 in Bucharest (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)

Spain has never defeated Romania in Bucharest.

Spain Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
07.02.2015 v Russia W 43-20 in Madrid (REC 1A)
22.06.2014 v Argentina Jaguars L 7-41 in Tbilisi (Tbilisi Cup)
18.06.2014 v Emerging Italy L 0-37 in Tbilisi (Tbilisi Cup)
14.06.2014 v Georgia L 13-23 in Tbilisi (Tbilisi Cup)
15.03.2014 v Portugal W 28-24 in Lisbon (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)

Romania Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
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
22.06.2014 v Emerging Ireland L 10-31 in Bucharest (IRB Nations Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table- Romania 17th, Spain 21st
Europe Table-Romania 8th. Spain 9th

IRB Ranking Points
Romania 68.00, Spain 62.22 

Prediction: Spain with a slim chance but Romania eventually by 8 points.

Teams

Spain

1. Fernando López
2. Marco Pinto
3. Jesús Moreno
4. Iñaki Villanueva
5. Jesús Recuerda (c)
6. David Barrera
7. Gautier Gibouin
8. Jaime Nava
9. Guillaume Rouet
10. Daniel Snee
11. Sebastien Ascarat
12. Martín Heredia
13. Marcos Poggi
14. Julen Goia
15. Ángel López
Subs:
16. Agustín Ortiz 17. Juan Anaya 18. Francisco Javier Sanz 19. David González 20. Javier de Juan 21. Gregory Maiquez 22. Pablo Fontes 23. Pablo Feijóo

’4 changes from the winning team against Russia. The entire front row changes. Labbe and Auzqui returned to Bordeaux. Javier Sanz goes to the bench. Fernando Lopez take the loosehead spot, newcomers Marco Pinto (Beziers) and Jesus Moreno (Montluçon) will start.Angel Lopez replace Pedro Martin at fullback.’ ‘Olivier’ at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4&start=50

Romania

1.Mihaita Lazar (Castres Olympique/FRA),
2. Otar Turashvili (Farul Constanta),
3. Andrei Ursache (Carcassonne/FRA),
4. Valentin Poparlan (Timisoara),
5. Marius Antonescu (Tarbes/FRA),
6. Viorel Lucaci (Steaua Bucharest),
7. Valentin Ursache (Oyonnax/FRA),
8. Mihai Macovei (captain - Massy/FRA),
9. Valentin Calafeteanu (Timisoara),
10. Danut Dumbrava (Steaua Bucharest),
11. Ionut Botezatu (Baia Mare),
12. Csaba Gal (Cluj),
13. Robert Dascalu (Steaua Bucharest),
14. Adrian Apostol (Farul Constanta),
15. Catalin Fercu (Saracens/ENG),
16. Andrei Radoi (Ealing Trailfinders/ENG),
17. Constantin Pristavita (Baia Mare),
18. Horatiu Pungea (Lyon/FRA),
19. Marius Sirbe (Blagnac),
20. Stelian Burcea (Timisoara),
21. Grigoras Diaconescu (Steaua Bucharest),
22.Florin Ionita (Steaua Bucharest),
23. Dorin Manole (Orthez/FRA)

http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9&start=350