In a highly anticipated matchup, 20th-ranked Romania will face off against 19th-ranked Uruguay in Bucharest this Saturday. This encounter marks the third and final international fixture for both teams in November. Historically, Uruguay has the upper hand, coming into the match on a two-match winning streak against the Romanians. With several regular players absent due to injury, Uruguay will need a boost in confidence as they prepare to confront a Romanian side that has demonstrated strong performances against Tonga and Canada recently. Both teams are gearing up for the Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, and with the expansion of the tournament to include 24 teams, matches featuring Stejarii and Los Teros have become essential viewing for serious rugby enthusiasts.
Current World Ranking: 20 (64.13 points)
2024-11-16 – Romania 35-27 Canada (Bucharest, RO)
2024-11-09 – Romania 25, Tonga 15 (Bucharest, RO)
2024-07-12 – Canada 35, Romania 22 (Ottawa, CA)
2024-07-05 – USA 20, Romania 22 (Bridgeview, US)
2024-03-17 – Spain 40, Romania 33 (Paris, FR)
2024-03-02 – Georgia 43, Romania 5 (Tbilisi, GE)
Current World Ranking: 19 (65.94 points)
2024-11-16 – Japan 36-20 Uruguay (Chambéry, FR)
2024-11-16 – Spain 33-24 Uruguay (Madrid, ES)
2024-07-10 – Uruguay 28-43 France (Montevideo, UY)
2024-07-20 – Uruguay 07-79 Argentina (Punta del Este, UY)
2024-07-27 – Uruguay 19-31 Scotland (Montevideo, UY)
2024-11-09 – Spain 33-24 Uruguay (Madrid, ES)
Romania have won 9 of the previous 13 test matches against Uruguay; however, Uruguay secured victories in their last two encounters. The teams faced off in three intense test matches in 2022, where Uruguay managed to win one in Montevideo and the other on Romanian soil. Currently, Uruguay is eager to achieve their first victory of the month after suffering losses to quality opponents Japan and Spain. In contrast, Romania stands buoyed by their recent triumphs against Tonga and Canada.
Regular captain Marius Simionescu will not feature due to injury, which adds a layer of challenge for the Romanian squad. Meanwhile, Uruguay faces a crisis in their inside center position, with stars Andrés Vilaseca, Tomás Inciarte, and Juan Manuel Alonso all ruled out. In addition, roster members Baltazar Amaya and the uncapped Federico de Los Santos are also sidelined. Regulars like Santiago Arata, Manuel Ardao, Felipe Etcheverry, Nicolás Freitas, German Kessler, and Facundo Gattas are also absent from the touring party.
Romania’s head coach, David Gérard, a former French second-rower, has made several strategic changes in the squad, incorporating players with experience in France, including Gheorghe Gajion and Taylor Gontineac. Gajion, who hails from Moldova, became eligible to play for Romania after the changes in eligibility laws, adding depth to the Romanian forward pack. Center Taylor Gontineac possesses a unique background, having been born in France to a Romanian father who previously captained the national team.
Uruguay’s lineup features predominantly homegrown talent, with the squad’s composition reflecting the philosophy of nurturing local players. Captain Manuel Leindekar and replacement prop Diego Arbelo both ply their trade in France, while other players participate in Major League Rugby outfits. The match against Romania will mark the last appearance for veteran Gastón Mieres, who is set to retire from Los Teros following the showdown.
The past encounters between Romania and Uruguay have often been closely contested, with the last three matches determined by narrow margins of +5, +6, and +8 points respectively. As the teams prepare to battle it out amid chilly conditions in Bucharest, where temperatures are expected to hover around 5°C, Romania has been designated as the favorites to clinch victory on home turf.
The match will be held at the majestic Stadium National Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest, kicking off at 6 PM local time (1 PM in Uruguay) on Saturday, November 23. Rugby fans will be able to catch the game live on ESPN and Disney +, with English referee Adam Leal officiating the contest.
Here’s how the teams are expected to line up:
ROMANIA
1 Alexandru Savin, 2 Ovidiu Cojocaru (capt.), 3 Gheorghe Gajion, 4 Yanis Horvat, 5 Andrei Mahu, 6 Cristi Boboc, 7 Vlad Neculau, 8 Adrian Mitu, 9 Gabriel Rupanu, 10 Hinckley Vaovasa, 11 Tevita Manumua, 12 Taylor Gontineac, 13 Mihai Graure, 14 Taliauli Sikuea, 15 Paul Popoaia
Replacements: 16 Tudor Butnariu, 17 Ciprian Chiriac, 18 Vasile Balan, 19 Marius Iftimiciuc, 20 Matthew Tweddle, 21 Kemal Altinok, 22 Alin Conache, 23 Tangimana Fonovai
URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Guillermo Pujadas, 3 Ignacio Péculo, 4 Felipe Aliaga, 5 Manuel Leindekar (capt.), 6 Santiago Civetta, 7 Lucas Bianchi, 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Santiago Álvarez, 10 Ícaro Amarillo, 11 Bautista Basso, 12 Joaquín Suárez, 13 Felipe Arcos Pérez, 14 Gastón Mieres, 15 Juan González
Replacements: 16 Joaquín Myzska, 17 Diego Arbelo, 18 Mateo Perillo, 19 Ignacio Dotti, 20 Carlos Deus, 21 Ignacio Álvarez, 22 Mateo Viñals, 23 Ignacio Facciolo
Date: Saturday, November 23
Venue: Stadium National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Kickoff: 6pm (RO); 1pm (UY)
Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy; Cold. 5°C Wind 14 km/h.
Broadcasts: ESPN; Disney +
Referee: Adam Leal (England)
Assistant Referees: TBA (2 England Appointments)
TMO: Adam Jones (Wales)
**Interview with Rugby Analyst Alex Turner**
**Host:** Welcome, Alex! Thanks for joining us today to discuss the upcoming clash between Romania and Uruguay. This match is particularly intriguing, especially considering both teams have been on opposite trajectories recently. How do you see this matchup unfolding?
**Alex:** Thanks for having me! It’s definitely going to be an exciting encounter. Romania has shown some strong form recently, notably their wins against Tonga and Canada, which could give them the momentum they need. On the flip side, Uruguay is coming off some tough losses against top-tier teams like Japan and Spain. The pressure is on them to bounce back and find some confidence.
**Host:** Yes, and it seems both teams are dealing with significant injuries that could impact their performances. How crucial do you think the absence of Romania’s regular captain, Marius Simionescu, and the injury crisis facing Uruguay will be?
**Alex:** Losing a captain like Simionescu is undoubtedly a setback for Romania. He’s a key player and usually sets the tone for the team. Meanwhile, Uruguay’s situation is even more dire, with multiple key players ruled out, particularly in the inside center position. This could lead to instability in their game plan and execution. They’ll need some of their younger players to step up and fill those gaps.
**Host:** Historical context also adds depth to this match. Romania has won 9 out of the last 13 encounters, but Uruguay has taken the last two. What do you think this means for both teams psychologically going into this game?
**Alex:** That history definitely adds an interesting layer. Romania will be looking to reclaim dominance and prove that their recent success is no fluke. Conversely, Uruguay will enter the match with confidence from their recent wins. They’ll believe they can replicate that success, particularly after having beaten Romania both at home and away last year. It’ll be fascinating to see how these psychological factors play out on the day.
**Host:** Given both teams are focusing on the Rugby World Cup 2027 Qualifiers, how important is this match in terms of building towards that goal?
**Alex:** It’s extremely important. Every match now contributes to their preparation for the qualifiers. For Romania, maintaining a good form is essential to build team chemistry and confidence. For Uruguay, a victory here could serve as a much-needed morale boost as they look to solidify their place in the qualifiers. In a competitive environment like this, every win counts.
**Host:** Looking ahead to the game, what are your key predictions or insights on how the match will unfold?
**Alex:** I expect a closely contested match, typical of their recent encounters. With Romania being favorites at home, they might take the initiative early on. However, if Uruguay can exploit their set pieces and play to their strengths, they could create opportunities. I think we’ll see a match decided by a few pivotal moments, perhaps even down to the wire like their previous clashes.
**Host:** Thanks, Alex! It sounds like we’re in for a thrilling match this Saturday. We appreciate your insights and look forward to seeing how it all plays out!
**Alex:** My pleasure! Looking forward to it as well.
