Romania's Balan out of World Cup

Petru Balan has pulled out of Romania’s World Cup squad because of a knee injury.

The Biarritz prop will be replaced in the squad by Paulica Ion, who will join up with the Romanians on Friday.

Romania decided to act after seeing Balan ruled out for 15 days with a meniscus fracture.

The injury forced him to miss his country’s 24-18 defeat to Italy last night.

Romania’s next Pool C game is against Scotland on Tuesday.