Romania's World Cup Imports
South African-born lock Johannes van Heerden and New Zealand-born flyhalf Michael Wiringi have been included in Romania's World Cup squad.
Romania's cosmopolitan 31-player World Cup squad was announced by their Welsh coach Lynn Howells.
The pair are joined by two other naturalised Romanians, Georgian-born hooker Otar Turashvili and Tonga-born centre Paula Kinikilau.
"It's the first time that naturalised players have been selected for the Romanian squad at a World Cup," a spokesperson for the Romanian rugby federation said.
The Romanian squad also includes Mihaita Lazar of Castres,and Horatiu Pungea and Valentin Ursache of Oyonnax in the French Top 14 .
These three will face the country where they ply their trade, as Romania are in Group D alongside France, Ireland, Canada and Italy.
"I hope that this World Cup will go down in the history of Romanian rugby by winning two matches," said prop Lazar.
Lazar made his World Cup debut in 2011 when Romania, held 10-10 by English club side Yorkshire Carnegie in a World Cup warm-up match earler this month, failed to win any of their four first round games.
Romania have another warm-up game scheduled against Tonga on September 5 in Bucharest.
Romania World Cup squad:
Forwards: Paulica Ion, Mihaita Lazar, Andrei Ursache, Alexandru Tarus, Horatiu Pungea, Andrei Radoi, Otar Turashvili, Eugen Capatana, Valentin Popirlan, Johannes Van Heerden, Marius Antonescu, Valentin Ursache, Mihai Macovei, Viorel Lucaci, Stelian Burcea, Ovidiu Tonita, Daniel Carpo.
Backs: Florin Surugiu, 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.
Source: Agence France-Presse
