Romania spring into action with most experienced team ever

Romania were the odd ones out in Pool D at the weekend when they had to sit and watch their four counterparts stretch their legs, but their best foot has been put forward for the meeting with France tomorrow in the form of their most experienced team of all time.

Coach Lynn Howells, a man of the valleys who served as an assistant to Graham Henry with Wales at the 1999 tournament, has selected a team that boasts 700 caps, among them five forwards who ply their trade in France and a full-back from Saracens.

“The back line has pretty much picked itself with the experience they have,” said Howells who also spoke of the explosion in the size of the tournament since his last involvement in ’99.