Romania includes 16 semi-pros
The squad features 15 fully-professional players and 16 semi-professional players.
The Oaks are regarded as one of the weaker teams in the tournament but offer plenty in the way of experience.
Veteran No.8 Ovidiu Tonita is set to play in his 4th World Cup along with Perpignan prop Ion Paulica.
Experienced scrumhalves Valentin Calafeteanu and Danut Dumbrava, each with more than 70 caps, will look to add some guile behind their pack.
Romania does not have the best World Cup track record, only winning five games since the inaugural tournament in 1987.
However, going into their eighth tournament Howells’ men can take plenty of positives from their 10-10 draw against Yorkshire Carnegie and a loss to Edinburgh.
Their raw power in the set piece was evident against the Scots as they dominated the scrums.
Ion Paulica, Mihaita Lazar of Castres and Oyonnax’s Horatiu Pungea are all key men in the up front, which is undoubtably the Romanian strongpoint.
They will fancy themselves against renowned scrummagers in Pool D like Mike Ross, Martin Castrogiovanni and Vincent Debaty.
South African-born lock Johannes Van Heerden who plys his trade in Baia Mare, will look compete in the lineout and add physicality at the breakdown.
In the backline, New Zealand-born playmaker Michael Wiringi is a welcome addition to the Oaks’ World Cup plans as is Catalin Fercu.
Playing his rugby with Saracens in England, Fercu was extraordinarily omitted from the World Cup in 2011 in New Zealand, due to his fear of flying.
The likes of Adrian Apostol and veteran Csaba Gal will provide the physicality in the midfield.
Amongst the omissions made by Howells are the South African-born loose forward Randall Morrisson, 21 year-old Vlad Nistor and prop Mihai Adascalitei.
Romania play a warm up game versus Tonga in Bucharest on the September 5, before getting their campaign underway against France on the 23rd in the Olympic Stadium.
They play Ireland a mere four days after in Wembley.
Then they have a much needed break before playing Canada on October 6 in Leicester City, and wrap up proceedings against Italy on the 11th in Sandy Park, Exeter.
Romanian World Cup squad:
Forwards: Ion Paulica, Mihaita Lazar, Andrei Ursache, Alexandru Tarus, Horatiu Pungea, Andrei Radoi, Otar Turashvili, Eugen Capatâna, Valentin Popirlan, Johannes van Heerden, Marius Antonescu, Valentin Ursache, Mihai Macovei, Viorel Lucaci, Stelian Burcea, Ovidiu Tonita, Daniel Carpo.
Backs: Florin Surugui, Valentin Calafeteanu, Tudorel Bratu, Danut Dumbrava, Michael Wiringi, Paula Kinikinilau, Florin Vlaicu, Csaba Gal, Adrian Apostol, Ionut Botezatu, Florin Ionita, Madalin Lemnaru, Catalin Fercu, Sabin Stratila.
