Romania pick nine France-based players for Rugby World Cup

Romania coach Eugen Apjok on Wednesday selected nine players based in France including Stade Francais prop Thomas Cretu in his 33-man squad for next month's Rugby World Cup.

Toulon back Atila Septar, who was expected to play at the tournament, has left the group for "personal reasons", the Romanian rugby federation said in its statement.

Romania will appear at their ninth World Cup, having missed out on the 2019 edition after they were disqualified for fielding ineligible players.

Ranked 19th in the world, Romania will play top-ranked Ireland in their opening game in pool B before taking on defending champions South Africa. They will also face Scotland and Tonga.

Romania have lost warm-up matches to the USA (31-17) and Georgia (56-6). Their final preparation game is on Saturday against Italy in Parma.

ROMANIA WORLD CUP SQUAD

Props: Alexandru Savin (CSA Steaua), Gheorghe Gajion (Stade Montois/FRA), Thomas Cretu (Stade Francais/FRA), Alexandru Gordas (CS Dinamo), Costel Burtila (RC Hyeres Carqueiranne La Crau/FRA), Iulian Hartig (RC Bassin d'Arcachon/FRA)

Hookers: Ovidiu Cojocaru (CS Dinamo), Robert Irimescu (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare), Florin Bardasu (CSA Steaua)

Locks: Adrian Motoc (Biarritz/FRA), Marius Iftimiciuc (US Carcassonne/FRA), Stefan Iancu (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)

Back row: Cristi Chirica (CS Dinamo, capt), Mihai Macovei (RC Bassin d'Arcachon/FRA), Vlad Neculau (SCM USV Timisoara), Dragos Ser (CSA Steaua), Cristi Boboc (CSA Steaua), Florian Rosu (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare), Damian Stratila (CSA Steaua)

Scrum-halves: Gabriel Rupanu (SCM USV Timisoara), Florin Surugiu (CSA Steaua), Alin Conache (SCM USV Timisoara)

Fly-halves: Gabriel Pop (CS Dinamo), Mihai Muresan (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare), Tudor Boldor (CS Dinamo)

Wings: Nicolas Onutu (CS Vienne/FRA), Marius Simionescu (SCM USV Timisoara), Tangimana Fonovai (CSA Steaua)

Centres: Taylor Gontineac (Rouen Normandie/FRA), Jason Tomane (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare), Tevita Manumua (SCM USV Timisoara)

Full-backs: Hinckley Vaovasa (CSA Steaua), Paul Popoaia (CSM Stiinta Baia Mare)