Canada will be looking to quickly erase the memory of a violent encounter in Tbilisi, but will have to do so against a similar challenger in the form of Romania.
ROMANIA vs CANADA
Saturday, November 16, 17:00 GMT, Bucharest
The two countries have a long but spotty rivalry, having first competed against each other at the 1991 World Cup, and then again the 1995 edition. Their only meeting outside of the tournament was in 2005 in Bucharest, a match narrowly won by a near full-strength Romanian side against a Canadian side mixed of pros and fringe players. The lineups for this game look about the same as their last encounter, a relatively strong Oaks side and a few key players missing from Canada.
The only remaining player from that day is fullback Catalin Fercu, the counterattack specialist who made his debut on that occasion. His surrounding backline is the same as the one that faced Tonga, with only Florin Ionita, typically a centre, picked on the wing in place of Stephen Hihetah, dropped for his questionable defensive work. Valentin Calafeteanu retains his place at flyhalf despite a poor game on Saturday, with new cap Gabriel Conache instead slotted on the bench, where he replaces Dorian Manole who was returned to France for club duty.
Two changes have been made in the forwards by coach Lynn Howells. Valentin Poparlan, who played well against Tonga, has been rotated out in favour of the taller Marius Sirbe at lock. Valentin Ursache is unavailable so Stelian Burcea starts for the first time in two years at no8, shifting captain Mihai Macovei over to the flank.
Canada are fortunate to have Tyler Ardron available after the captain was sent off against Georgia. The IRB decided no further suspension was appropriate, so he remains at the back of a scrum. Ray Barkwill has also been declared fit to play after suffering a leg injury in the same match. Nanyak Dala replaces John Moonlight on the flank, and Tyler Hotson swaps with Brett Beukeboom in the only changes in the pack.
Liam Underwood, the victim of the tackle that sparked the melee last week, has been cleared of concussion and stays at flyhalf. Utility back Ciaran Hearn is recalled at centre with Conor Trainor moved to the bench. There is no place for Jeff Hassler as the Ospreys wing gives way to James Pritchard, making a welcome return after sitting out the Georgian match with a slight knock. Prop reserve Djustice Sears-Duru still awaits his first appearance in a senior Canadian jersey.
The Oaks battered Tonga in the scrum last week and used the rolling maul effectively, two spots where Canada struggled against the Lelos. If the visitors are to win, they must be more clinical with the ball and take advantage of the limited first phase possession they are likely to get. All things being equal the strength of the Romanian forwards, both starters and replacements, should prove too much for an ordinary Canadian side. Expect a similar result to last week, the home team winning by 5.
EDIT: Canada has made four changes to the originally announced lineup. Ray Barkwill is replaced by Benoit Piffero, with Djustice Sears-Duru covering hooker from the bench and Ryan March added as a prop reserve. Brett Beukeboom comes back into the second row, swapping places with Jon Phelan. Liam Underwood is replaced by Nick Blevins, with Harry Jones moving into the flyhalf position. James Pritchard drops to the bench with Matt Evans moving to fullback and Jeff Hassler back in on the wing. The kickoff time has also been corrected.
Referee: Greg Garner (RFU)
Assistants: Marius Mitrea (FIR) & Giuseppe Vivarini (FIR)
TMO: Jim Yuille (SRU)
*Canadian cap totals include all senior appearances that have yet to be acknowledged as official test caps
