Injury hit Romania get timely boost ahead for the Nations Cup 

After more than nine months off due to injury, Marius Simionescu is set to feature for Romania, as the fullback was one of the 32 players called up for the Nations Cup.

David Gérard will have at his disposal a strong roster to face Chile, Uruguay and Samoa, with Simionescu among the most notable returnees, alongside Hinckley Vaovasa (SO Chambéry), Jason Tomane (Baia Mare) and Adrian Mitu (Soyaux-Angoulême XV).

Simionescu was one of the few shining lights for the Stejarii at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with his attacking prowess providing a rare spark for a side that ultimately suffered four defeats.

One of the new faces in the squad is Iacopo Bianchi, an Italian-born flanker who has played for Zebre over the last six seasons. A former Italy ‘A’ international, Bianchi qualifies through his parents and is set to make his debut against Chile on July 4.

Prop Jean-Pierre Smith (CS Dinamo), hooker Adria Tala (Union Barbezieux), lock Keanan Murray (CS Dinamo) and back-rower Etienne Terblanche (CS Dinamo) are the other new additions to the Romania squad, who are set to earn their first caps next month.

Unfortunately for the Stejarii, Toni Maftei, Jondré Williams, Mihai Popescu, Adrian Mo?oc, Matthew Tweddle, and Serge Le Mezec won’t be available due to injury. Jondré Williams, who made an immediate impact on his debut for Romania against Spain in March, is expected to be sidelined for the next eight months.

In addition to these absences, Taylor Gontineac (Castres), Atila Septar (Nice Rugby), Thomas Cre?u (US Dax), and Gheorghe Gajion (Stade Montois) will also be unavailable this July.

Speaking to Rugby Romania, David Gérard laid out the team’s goals for the competition.

“We want to win all the matches, increase the level of play and especially use all the experience from these matches to grow both individually and, above all, as a group.”

After finishing fourth in the 2026 Men’s Rugby Europe Championship, Romania will aim to deliver three strong performances as they build towards their 10th Rugby World Cup appearance.