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Romania
Cristi Boboc Cristian Chirica Alexandru Savin
Cristi Boboc Cristian Chirica Alexandru Savin

The Romania national rugby union team, nicknamed Stejarii (The Oaks), compete in the Rugby Europe Championship and the World Rugby Nations Cup. They’ve also appeared in all but one edition of the Rugby World Cup.

Romania Form last 5 games 🥶 loss streak

🥶 Streak
2 losses

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World Ranking

Romania are currently 22nd in the World Rugby Rankings. Their highest ever ranking was 13th in June 2006.

Ranking Over Time

Date {{date}}
Rank # {{rank}}
Points {{points}}
2003
2015
2026

Romania Matches

Sun 15 Mar, 2026
Round 7
Romania Romania
Round 7
23
-
29
FT
Spain Spain
Butarque Stadium
Sat 4 Jul, 2026
Round 1
Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos
Sat 11 Jul, 2026
Round 2
Estadio Charrua

Romania Rugby Team Players

Romania Forwards

Name
Position
Alexandru Savin
Alexandru Savin
Prop
Iulian Hartig
Iulian Hartig
Prop
Stefan Buruiana
Stefan Buruiana
Hooker
Romania Rugby Team
Tudor Butnariu
Hooker
Romania Rugby Team
Adrian Tala
Hooker
Romania Rugby Team
Alexandru Colev
Hooker
Romania Rugby Team
Vasile Balan
Prop
Romania Rugby Team
Cosmin Manole
Prop
Adrian Motoc
Adrian Motoc
Lock
Romania Rugby Team
Andrei Mahu
Lock
Romania Rugby Team
Nicolaas Immelman
Back Row
Romania Rugby Team
Logan Weidner
Back Row
Romania Rugby Team
Keanan Murray
Back Row
Romania Rugby Team
Kemal Altinok
Back Row
Cristi Boboc
Cristi Boboc
Back Row
Vlad Neculau
Vlad Neculau
Back Row
Iacopo Bianchi
Iacopo Bianchi
Back Row
Adrian Mitu
Adrian Mitu
Back Row
Romania Rugby Team
Matthew Tweddle
Back Row
Romania Rugby Team
Etienne Terblanche
Back Row
Romania Rugby Team
Jean-Pierre Smith

Romania Backs

Name
Position
Gabriel Rupanu
Gabriel Rupanu
Scrum Half
Alin Conache
Alin Conache
Fly Half
Romania Rugby Team
Daniel Plai
Fly Half
Tevita Manumua
Tevita Manumua
Outside Back
Nicolas Onutu
Nicolas Onutu
Outside Back
Romania Rugby Team
Serge Le Mezec
Centre
Jason Tomane
Jason Tomane
Centre
Romania Rugby Team
Antonio Mitrea
Centre
Hinckley Vaovasa
Hinckley Vaovasa
Centre
Mihai Graure
Mihai Graure
Centre
Alexandru Bucur
Alexandru Bucur
Centre
Romania Rugby Team
Damian Bonaparte
Outside Back
Romania Rugby Team
Tiqe Iliesa
Outside Back
Romania Rugby Team
Dylan Schwartz
Outside Back
Marius Simionescu
Marius Simionescu
Outside Back

Romania Tournaments

Romania Rugby Team

The Romania rugby team are one of Europe's strongest sides outside of the traditional Six Nations teams. Although the side may not be as established as some of Europe's top nations, the Romania rugby team does hold some marquee victories over four of the Six Nations Championship teams (France, Italy, Scotland and Wales), as well as an away draw against Ireland.

The Romania rugby team regularly features in the Rugby World Cup and they're a powerhouse in the Rugby Europe Championship, which they've won five times in the tournament's history. From 2026 they’ll also compete in the newly formed World Rugby Nations Cup. 

Rugby was first played competitively in Romania back in 1924, when Romania and France tried to establish a rival to the Five Nations Championship. However, the competition never really took hold and France comprehensively beat Romania 59-3. Later that year, Romania was one of only three teams to enter the Olympics. However, the Romanian rugby team were once again comprehensively beaten by France and comfortably beaten by the USA.

Following World War Two, the Romania rugby team finally came to prominence. Backed by the communist state, the side was successful throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. During this period, they beat France for the first time and gained several wins over established sides. 

At this point, the team also gained the nickname 'The Oaks', which they still use to this day. The nickname stemmed from the team's distinctive style of play, which was built around giant, bruising packs. However, the fall of communism in the country meant that rugby lost funding and Romania lost many top stars to France and Italy before the turn of the millennium. 

Thankfully, the decline was halted in 2000. Ever since, the Romanian rugby team have begun to re-establish themselves on the international stage. Since then, they've won the Rugby Europe Championship five times.

In addition, in the history of the Rugby World Cup, they've qualified for every edition of the tournament and competed well in the pool stage. However, they were expelled from the 2019 tournament after qualification because they fielded an ineligible player.

Although the Romania rugby team isn't considered to be a top-tier side, several notable stars have played for the team, including the gifted playmaker Iulian Dumitraș, former captain Sorin Socol and formidable lock Cristian Petre. Added to this, the entire 1924 Romania Olympic team were inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame. 

Today, the Romania rugby team includes several recognisable faces and high-class players, such as Marius Antonescu and Alexandru Savin

FAQs

When was the Romania rugby team founded?

The Romania rugby team played in their first ever international in 1919. They faced the United States in Paris and both sides were represented by military men. The USA won the contest 21-0. 

What is the Romania rugby team’s biggest win?

Romania’s biggest win came in 1976. They defeated Bulgaria 0-100 in Burgas. 

What is the Romania rugby team’s biggest defeat?

Romania suffered their biggest defeat in 2001. They were beaten 134-0 by England in London. 

Who is Romania's record appearance maker?

Romania’s record appearance-maker is Florin Vlaicu. He represented his country in 129 matches between 2006 and 2022. 

Who has scored the most tries for Romania?

Cătălin Fercu has scored the most tries for Romania. He crossed the whitewash 33 times between 2005 and 2020. 

Who has scored the most points for Romania?

Florin Vlaicu has scored the most points for Romania. He scored 1,321 points for his country in 129 matches between 2006 and 2022. 

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