Romanian Rugby

[amz Profile]

Do you have any idea since when RE talks about its Euro Cup project? I know this from before 2015 but I didn't mentioned because reasons, now that is public is fine. Nothing happened.

Same as with the competition proposed by Russia, if it will have a sponsor to support travel costs, it might work. Otherwise I don't see how.

[victorsra Profile Website]

@Chester-Donnelly: Because while it was in Challenge Cup, there were no logistical hiccups, the team didn't announced will sign up than retire like others did and occasionally had good results. I don't mind Spain or Georgian teams to apply for Challenge Cup but as far as I know none have this intention. It's not about a Romanian team participating instead of a Spanish or Georgian one but to my knowledge, no such intention was seriously considered by the respective Unions and the clubs from respective countries are quite weak. So I don't see this antagonistically, I am merely speaking about what FRR can realistically do now.

There were some experiments with select sides from Portugal and a club from Spain but the only project outside 6N which lasted in Challenge Cup was Romanian Wolves and it was kicked out, otherwise it would have been there as well.

Wolves would field a mostly Romanian side, would have a new stadium, sponsors for this franchise, Bucharest is a fun and easily reachable destination and the record of participation was above the performances of Italian clubs (not the franchises) and other participants from among T2 nations (Portuguese, Spanish sides). The only comparable performance is recent participation of Russian clubs but as opposed to Romanian participation, on a much shorter period of time.

Also I don't get why other countries should have a representative side? Is their choice what they do.

There are plenty of regional franchises which are representative sides in Celtic nations so I don't see where the problem is. Do you want a participant that can thick the standards or you want only clubs, ignoring that others can field franchises? I think is important for rugby outside 6N to show a pathway and some lesser 6N clubs/franchises might don't wanna participate into Challenge cup seriously being focused on other objectives e.g. avoiding relegation from domestic competition so their place could be taken by other clubs.

EPCR will probably be more and more only about their 3 major leagues. Premiership will expand soon. First ask what's the future of the Challenge Cup.

[victorsra Profile Website]

Do you have any idea since when RE talks about its Euro Cup project? I know this from before 2015 but I didn't mentioned because reasons, now that is public is fine. Nothing happened.

Same as with the competition proposed by Russia, if it will have a sponsor to support travel costs, it might work. Otherwise I don't see how.

Yes, I do know, I heard this before too. We can go back to the posts about Rugby Europe itself and whats's good and wrong with it. But the need of a continental solution looks to me still desirable.

[Chester-Donnelly Profile]

For this proposed Rugby Europe Victor Cup there are already some relevant regional cup competitions.

The Champions and runners up of the Portuguese and Spanish leagues play eachother in the annual Copa Iberica de Rugby. Current champions are Valladolid RAC.

The top 4 Belgian and top 4 Dutch teams compete in the annual BeNe Cup.

This could either give these teams a pass to the semi finals, or could enable more countries to be involved.

Quarter finals example:
West: Iberia vs BeNe
Central: Germany vs Switzerland
East: Russia vs Poland
South: Georgia vs Italy

Semi finals
West vs Central
East vs South

[victorsra Profile Website]

That's pretty much the idea. It is viable if Rugby Europe could manage to subsidize it, promote it (and RE needs to have a bigger media presence) and if the title means something. It has to start somewhere.

Georgia-Italy is too far, but I agree with you that, well, Georgia is far anyway from anyone and Georgians want to beat Italians. Might work, because means something.

You forgot Romania.

I'd prefer to start with:

South: Italy vs Romania
East: Russia vs Georgia
West: Spain vs Portugal
North: Germany vs BeNe

If it works, think about Poland , Switzerland....

BTW, Northern Italy (where best clubs are) to Romania is basicaly the same distance as Romania to Georgia... with the difference you can flight direct from Bucharest to Milano... and low cost! There is even Timisoara - Bologna flight available... and Bologna very close to most leading Italian clubs...

Anyway, it doesn't matter the draw, because other things can influence. What matters is the concept.

[amz Profile]

Oaks squad for November matches (Belgium, Russia):

LHP:
Alexandru Savin (CSA Steaua)
Constatin Pristăviță (CSM Sțtiința Baia Mare)
Vasile Balan (CSA Steaua)
Ionel Badiu (Valence Romans Drome)

Hookers:
Eugen Căpățână (SCM Timișoara)
Ovidiu Cojocaru (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Tudor Butnariu (CSA Steaua)
Ioan Tomașcu (Niort)

THP:
Horațiu Pungea (SCM Timișoara)
Alexandru Țăruș (Zebre)
Alexandru Gordaș (Stade Nicois)
Costel Burtilă (Rugby Club Hyères-Carqueiranne-La Crau)
Cosmin Manole (CS Dinamo)

Locks:
Valentin Popârlan (SCM Timișoara)
Florian Roșu (CSM Știința Baia Mare)
Johannes Van Heerden (CS Dinamo)
Marius Antonescu (Bourg en Bresse)
Adrian Motoc (Massy)
Ionuț Mureșan (SCM Timișoara)

Backrow:
Mihai Macovei (Colomiers)
Vlad Neculau (SCM Timișoara)
Vlad Nistor (US Seynoise)
Dragoș Ser (CSA Steaua)
Adrian Ion (ACS Tomitanii)
Cristi Chirică (Sporting Club Appameen)
Andre Gorin (Bayonne)
Kamil Sobota (CSA Steaua)

Scrum-half:
Florin Surgiu (CSA Steaua)
Tudorel Bratu (CS Dinamo)
Gabriel Rupanu (SCM Timișoara)

Fly-half:
Daniel Plai (CSA Steaua)
Tudor Boldor (CSA Steaua)

Centers:
Florin Vlaicu (CSA Steaua)
Vlăduț Popa (SCM Timișoara)
Moa Maliepo (SCM Timișoara)
Cătălin Fercu (SCM Timișoara)
Taylor Gontineac (Clermont Espoirs)

Wings:
Nicolas Onuțu (CS Vienne Rugby)
Ionuț Dumitru (CSA Steaua)
Stephen Shennan (SCM Timișoara)
Marius Simionescu (SCM Timișoara)
Tangimana Fonovai (CSA Steaua)

Fullbacks:
Ionel Melinte (SCM Timișoara)
Paul Popoaia (CSM Știința Baia Mare)

[dans Profile]

Outlook of Autumn games for the Oaks:

25th Oct: Russia A - Romania A (Moscow)
1st Nov: Romania - Belgium (REC Championship) (17:45 Bucharest, Arcul de Triumf - depending on the stadium being ready by then!)
7th Nov: Romania - Russia (test game) - Bucharest

[welshdragon2000 Profile]

Belgium will be full strength against Romania. First time in a long time that Belgium will be taking a full squad to an away game. Should make for interesting viewing.

[dans Profile]

It was announced by the FRR that second division championship (DNS - Divizia Nationala de Seniori) will be finished on the field starting with 31st Oct, ending on the 21st Nov.
Bottom 4 teams will play 3 rounds taking into consideration the positions of the first half of the competition and points accumulated. Top 4 will play a tournement style home and away, to establish final positions.

DNS standing after first half of the competition:
1.CS Stiinta Petrosani
2.CSM Galati
3.CS Navodari
4.RC Barlad
5.RC Grivita
6.CSU Arad
7.CSM Bucovina Suceava
8.RC Gura Humorului

[dans Profile]

Belgium will be full strength against Romania. First time in a long time that Belgium will be taking a full squad to an away game. Should make for interesting viewing.

Yeap, looking at their squad some good players there: Sven D'Hooghe (lock, Biarritz ProD2), Charles Reynaert (back/wing, Stade Nicois ex ProD2 Valence Romans), van Bost (lock, Beziers), Thomas Wallraf (winger, Nevers), Vincent TAUZIA (back row, ex Aurillac, Seynoise), Jens Torfs (center, Mont-de-Marsan, ex Perpignan), Craig Dowsett (back, center or wing...Blackheath), Julien Berger (experienced scrumhalf Cognac ex Nevers, Provence)...
I don't know how much they all played together, but it will be a good game... 'Black devils' don't have a lot to loose, pressure will be all on the Oaks!...and 'pressure & expectation' is a funny thing on these shores!

[Stefan Petrescu Profile]

If we look at Romania`s side, apart from Radoi, the Ursache brothers and Burcea (who have retired from national team) we honestly have our strongest team so I therefore can not wait for our rematches with Russia and the potentially high-scoring game vs Belgium in Bucharest!

[amz Profile]

https://www.facebook.com/concelex/photo ... =3&theater

Steaua Stadium almost finished and yes, will host rugby.

[novac Profile]

Today, there were played the second matches of the play-off and play-out round in the National Division (second league). Navodari has won again against Galati (16-12) and will play the final against Petrosani who won the match against Barlad 32-27. Maybe the winner of the final Navodari-Petrosani will be promoted to the SuperLiga. Of course, if the financial status will permit it.
For the play-out the match between Grivita and Gura Humorului was won by the Bucharest team 17-13.

[dwpeate Profile]

I'm guessing there is no game against Russia today? Heard or seen nothing since the Russian union mentioned it in a poster a while ago

[m.map Profile]

rugby europe announces suspension all matches planned 2020
https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/rugby-europe ... anned-2020

[Chester-Donnelly Profile]

Romania Superliga needs six competitive teams. Six is enough but they all need to be competitive. There is no point in adding more little teams.

[dwpeate Profile]

rugby europe announces suspension all matches planned 2020
https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/rugby-europe ... anned-2020

Sorry, I had seen that but assumed it was only the REIC as Georgia, Spain and the 6N all have games (and Portugal did till recently)

[dans Profile]

Romania Superliga needs six competitive teams. Six is enough but they all need to be competitive. There is no point in adding more little teams.

In the current environment, I cannot see any Second Division club able to making the step towards SuperLiga. No current DNS (Divizia Nationala de Seniori) club will meet the SuperLiga Regulation for profesional sport...as they are now. Even for the next season, teams like U Cluj or Tomitanii will be struggling to meet the criteria. I think Petrosani would have made the step in the absence of a global pandemic, but now there is very little hope.

My choice would be to go to a semi-pro level (same as the Spanish League), hopefully to continue attracting some overseas players (offering University education and an entry into European game) and give a chance to DNS to grow by helping the winner of the division to make the step into SuperLiga.

There are steps at grass roots to consolidate the small clubs: Gura Humorului have now promoted to seniors team the generation that won the national U18 championship for the last few years, Petrosani sponsoring college classes for U16 to create future local team players, same in Constanta. Galati had some Moldovan players (4-5 players I remember) and maybe the'll continue that way.
I would expect in the next couple of years to have at least 6-10 U18 players per year to make it into French Espoirs clubs and the local national junior environment to grow...

[Stefan Petrescu Profile]

Wait a minute, Portugal`s match with Fiji was cancelled, and now they are able to play against Brazil, so what is Romania`s excuse?

Also, out of curiosity, what happened to our partnership with Mizuno?

[Chester-Donnelly Profile]

Romania Superliga needs six competitive teams. Six is enough but they all need to be competitive. There is no point in adding more little teams.

In the current environment, I cannot see any Second Division club able to making the step towards SuperLiga. No current DNS (Divizia Nationala de Seniori) club will meet the SuperLiga Regulation for profesional sport...as they are now. Even for the next season, teams like U Cluj or Tomitanii will be struggling to meet the criteria. I think Petrosani would have made the step in the absence of a global pandemic, but now there is very little hope.

My choice would be to go to a semi-pro level (same as the Spanish League), hopefully to continue attracting some overseas players (offering University education and an entry into European game) and give a chance to DNS to grow by helping the winner of the division to make the step into SuperLiga.

There are steps at grass roots to consolidate the small clubs: Gura Humorului have now promoted to seniors team the generation that won the national U18 championship for the last few years, Petrosani sponsoring college classes for U16 to create future local team players, same in Constanta. Galati had some Moldovan players (4-5 players I remember) and maybe the'll continue that way.
I would expect in the next couple of years to have at least 6-10 U18 players per year to make it into French Espoirs clubs and the local national junior environment to grow...

I think if Romania goes to a semi pro league that will be the end of professional rugby in Romania forever. That would be a real shame. Maybe go to 4 teams, and strengthen the DNS with U Cluj and Tomitanii. 4 pro teams could be enough if all 4 teams also play in the Kontinental Rugby Liga.

[victorsra Profile Website]

Wait a minute, Portugal`s match with Fiji was cancelled, and now they are able to play against Brazil, so what is Romania`s excuse?

Also, out of curiosity, what happened to our partnership with Mizuno?

I don't know how Portugal convinced World Rugby, but they did. Brazil did COVID tests many time this month, that might have helped. They did yesterday the last one and they will travel tomorrow. Brazilian players are not playing club rugby as Brazil is in a realy bad pandemics situation. But the players are isolated and testing, so...

[dans Profile]

Romania Superliga needs six competitive teams. Six is enough but they all need to be competitive. There is no point in adding more little teams.

In the current environment, I cannot see any Second Division club able to making the step towards SuperLiga. No current DNS (Divizia Nationala de Seniori) club will meet the SuperLiga Regulation for profesional sport...as they are now. Even for the next season, teams like U Cluj or Tomitanii will be struggling to meet the criteria. I think Petrosani would have made the step in the absence of a global pandemic, but now there is very little hope.

My choice would be to go to a semi-pro level (same as the Spanish League), hopefully to continue attracting some overseas players (offering University education and an entry into European game) and give a chance to DNS to grow by helping the winner of the division to make the step into SuperLiga.

There are steps at grass roots to consolidate the small clubs: Gura Humorului have now promoted to seniors team the generation that won the national U18 championship for the last few years, Petrosani sponsoring college classes for U16 to create future local team players, same in Constanta. Galati had some Moldovan players (4-5 players I remember) and maybe the'll continue that way.
I would expect in the next couple of years to have at least 6-10 U18 players per year to make it into French Espoirs clubs and the local national junior environment to grow...

I think if Romania goes to a semi pro league that will be the end of professional rugby in Romania forever. That would be a real shame. Maybe go to 4 teams, and strengthen the DNS with U Cluj and Tomitanii. 4 pro teams could be enough if all 4 teams also play in the Kontinental Rugby Liga.

Maybe ... it's a niche profession anyway!...but at least we hope that rugby will survive. It managed for the last 100 years and local rivalries will continue (in the north/west of the country: Timisoara vs Baia Mare, or Petrosani vs Cluj; in Bucharest: Steaua vs Dinamo, in the north: Suceava, Iasi, Gura Humorului, in the south: Buzau, Galati, Birlad, Constanta)
To have professional rugby you need a relevant competition that can generate interest for all parties involved, which it's missing now. I cannot see SuperLiga surviving in the current format as a pro league.
If the Rugby Europe Club project goes off the ground as some kinda league (with Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Georgia participating), FRR might be able to keep a local pro franchise like Bucharest Wolves in a 12 week season as a Rugby Europe Top X - but that carries risk as too many moving parts are involved/ If the project is a cup format, with 3 group games, semi + final) than I assume FRR may suggest a club (or two) to take the place.

[dans Profile]

Romanian rugby competitions decimated this autumn.
Romanian Cup only managed 6 out of the 12 games (one due tomorow: Dinamo vs Steaua)
The final will be played between Steaua and CSM Stiinta Baia Mare next week 28th Nov in Bucharest

In the Second division DNS, bronz medal tie: return game CSM Galati - Rugby Birlad due tomorrow (in the first game Birlad won 30-10).
The championship title will be decided between CS Stiinta Petrosani - CS Navodari will be played in Bucharest on the 2nd Dec.

[Batti Profile]

Any news about the new Arcul de Triumf stadium ?

[dans Profile]

Any news about the new Arcul de Triumf stadium ?

As far as I know the CNI (National Agency for Investment) has finished the project and passed it, or in the process to submit to the beneficiary...in this case the Ministry of Sport and Education. The innitial arrangement was for for the asset to pass to Romanian Rugby Federation in administration, as it was for the last 100+ years....But, as the project was financed with public money (some 35 million Euro), other sports will be able to organise events there (it will be used as a training base for the Euro Championship next year for the 3 games played in Bucharest 2 Group C games + 1 quarterfinal). With general elections in Romania in 2 weeks, there are discussions as what is to happen next...!

https://www.prosport.ro/exclusiv/noi-im ... f-19134226