u20 Trophy Preview – Romania vs Canada

The World Rugby u20 Trophy will come to a close for Canada on Sunday when they face Romania to determined who will finish 7th and avoid the dreaded Wooden Spoon. To come away empty handed would be regrettable for both, particularly a Canadian side who have put so much into preparations.

Romania have undoubtedly been the biggest disappointment of the tournament, with their floundering play leaving one to question if they did any preparation at all. They have opted for six changes and backline reshuffle after conceding 56 points to Hong Kong.

Valentin Matache and Rares Straja are the new props, with Andrei Pasalan shoved back into the second row. New call-up Radu Anton starts on the flank. Vlad Leica is given a run at his preferred flyhalf spot, and battering ram Sebastian Sirbu is recalled in the midfield. Ionut Harasim starts on the wing.

Canada have also made changes following their loss to Fiji. Gavin Kratz, Jack McRogers, and Emerson Prior are the new front row. Peter Ingoldsby returns on the flank and second row Reid Davis is fit enough to take up a spot in the reserves.

Goal kicker Will Percillier is ruled out so Elias Ergas is named at fullback with Brandon Schellenberger continuing at scrumhalf. In the midfield Kevin Vertkas moves back to inside centre with Seth Purdey recalled outside him.

Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 10am Eastern. A live stream will be provided by World Rugby.

ROMANIA
1 Valentin Matache, 2 Darius Placintar, 3 Rares Straja, 4 Stefan Iancu, 5 Andrei Pasalan, 6 Vlad Neculau (capt.), 7 Radu Anton, 8 Razvan Belehuz, 9 Emanuel Grigore, 10 Vlad Leica, 11 Ionut Harasim, 12 Sebastian Sirbu, 13 Cristian Bumbac, 14 Alexandru Craciun, 15 Paul Popoaia

Replacements: 16 Adrian Tala, 17 Flavian Cuprian, 18 Laurentiu Nica, 19 Robert Murariu, 20 Dragos Ser, 21 Andrei Homiuc, 22 Gabriel Jipa, 23 Cosmin Iliuta

CANADA
1 Gavin Kratz, 2 Jack McRogers, 3 Emerson Prior, 4 Tyler Duguid, 5 Quentin James, 6 Peter Ingoldsby, 7 James O’Neill (capt.), 8 Michael Smith, 9 Brandon Schellenberger, 10 Brennig Prevost, 11 Jack McCarthy, 12 Kevin Vertkas, 13 Seth Purdey, 14 Josiah Morra, 15 Elias Ergas

Replacements: 16 Tyler Rockwell, 17 Mitchell Wainman, 18 Guerschom Mukendi, 19 Reid Davis, 20 Jackson Matthews, 21 Campbell Clarke, 22 Lachlan Kratz, 23 Gabriel Casey, 24 Owain Ruttan

Date: Sunday, September 9
Venue: Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Kickoff: 17:00 local (07:00 Pacific, 10:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: World Rugby