Six changes for Romania

Romania will have six changes from the team that beat Ukraine 41-16 last month, when they take on Scotland in a World Cup Pool B opener at Invercargill on Saturday.

Captain and hooker Marius Tincu returns to the starting line-up after missing Romania's last two matches.

Other changes include Madalin Lemnaru and Stefan Ciuntu who take over on the wings.

Eight of Romania's starting XV on Saturday also started their country's final match of 2007 World Cup, a 8-85 loss to the All Blacks.

Tincu, record cap holder Cristian Petre, Ovidiu Tonita, Lucian Sirbu, Ionut Dimofte, Csaba Gal, Ciuntu and Iulian Dumitras all took part against New Zealand.

That match was also the last World Cup start for current Romania coach Romeo Gontineac.

Scrumhalf Sirbu equals his coach's record of being present at four World Cups for Romania.

He was first called up for the 1999 competition but didn't play a match, making his debut in Romania's first match of the tournament four years later.

Since then, he has played in all of Romania's matches in the competition and he scored a try in the match against Namibia at the 2003 World Cup.

Romania: 15 Iulian Dumitras, 14 Stefan Ciuntu, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Tiberius Dimofte, 11 Madalin Lemnaru, 10 Marin Dumbrava, 9 Lucian Sirbu, 8 Daniel Carpo, 7 Ovidiu Tonita, 6 Mihai Macovei, 5 Cristian Petre, 4 Valentin Ursache, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Mihaita Lazar.
Replacements: 16 Bogdan Zebega Suman, 17 Silviu Florea, 18 Valentin Poparlan, 19 Sandu Burcea, 20 Florin Surugiu, 21 Ionel Cazan, 22 Florin Vlaicu.

Date: Saturday, September 10
Venue: Rugby Park, Invercargill
Kick-off: 13.00 (01.00 GMT)
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Tim Hayes (Wales)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

AFP