Romania v Czech Republic

In a match in the European Nations Cup Division 1 Romania play Czech Republic in France this weekend.

Because of problems with the weather in Central and Eastern Europe, the match is being played at La Teste in southwest France. Many of the Romanian team are based in France in any case.

The Czechs have being doing their homework with a warm-up trip to England.

The two countries first met in 1927 when the Czech Republic was Czechoslovakia. Romania have won all but one encounter - when the teams drew 9-all in Prague in 1966.

Results down the years:

• 1927: Romania won 21-5 in Bratislava
• 1949: Romania won 20-5 in Prague
• 1957: Romania won 12-11 in Moscow
• 1959: Romania won 11-0 in Bucharest
• 1960: Romania won 13-3 in Glauchau
• 1961: Romania won 19-12 in Prague
• 1962: Romania won 11-6 in Piotrkow
• 1963: Romania won 23-3 in Bucharest
• 1964: Romania won 14-3 in Bautzen
• 1966: Draw 6-6 in Prague
• 1968: Romania won 17-3 in Bucharest
• 1968: Romania won 18-8 in Prague
• 1969: Romania won 42-6 in Bucharest
• 1972: Romania won 22-3 in Vyškov
• 1974: Romania won 18-15 in Albena
• 1974: Romania won 16-6 in Sumperk
• 1978: Romania won 60-6 in Bucharest
• 2003: Romania won 42-5 in Prague
• 2004: Romania won 55-11 in Bucharest
• 2004: Romania won 38-14 in Prague

One would expect Romania to win but the Czechs have survived in this competition, popularly known as the Six Nations B. In their first year of this competition over two rounds over two years they beat Russia and Ukraine and just lost to champions Portugal 19-13 in Lisbon. Since then they have again beaten win-less Ukraine but lost heavily to Georgia and Russia. At present they are in fifth place on 13 points, level on points with Russia with a game in hand.

For the Czechs and the Oaks the success of their national team is partly governed by the availability of their players.

The Czechs will be without several players - Robert Voves, Jirí Skall, Martin Kafka, Martin Jágr, who was Czech Republic's Player of the Year in 2005, Tomáš Krejcí, Martin Hudák Michal Kolár, Pavel Camrda, and Michal Schlanger and also experienced hooker Lukáš Rapant..

The Oaks are also without several top players, playing for their French clubs instead of for their country - Petre Mitu, Lucian Sarbu, Ovidiu Tonita, Petrisor Toderasc, Petru Balan and Bogdan Balan.

Teams

Czech Republic squad

Forwards: Jan Oswald (Tatra Smíchov), Jirí Sluka (Petrovice), Jan Kubálek (Rícany), J.B. Soucek (Mielan, France), Roman Šuster (Limoges, France), Vlastimil Madry (Praga), Miroslav Nemecek (Bordeaux-Bégles, France), Jirí Buryánek (Dragon Brno), Ladislav Vondrášek (Esher, England), Jan Žíla (Tatra Smíchov), Patrik Leroch (Havírov), Martin Hudák (Vyškov), Martin Olšanský (Havírov)

Backs: Pavel Syrový (Praga), Martin Beránek (Dragon Brno), Jaroslav Tomcík (Havírov), Martin Snídal (Vyškov), Martin Pekárek (Rícany), Petr Okleštek (Sparta), Václav Jursík (Sparta), Jan Rohlík (Saint-Nazaire, France), Jan Rudolf (Petrovice), Martin Pachman (Rícany)

Coaches: Josef Fatka, Petr Michovský

Romanian squad: Marcel Socaciu (Tarbes, France), Ion Paulica (Steaua), Cezar Popescu (Agen, France), Marius Tincu (Perpignan, France), Dragos Dima (Villefranche-de-Lauragais, France), Sorin Socol (Agen, France), Cristian Petre (Tarbes, France), Valentin Ursache (Contor Zenner Arad), Costica Mersoiu (Beziers, France), Alexandru Manta (Pau, France), Cosmin Ratiu (Dinamo), Alexandru Tudori (Casino din Venezia, Italy), Florin Corodeanu (Grenoble, France), Valentin Calafeteanu (Dinamo), Iulian Andrei (Steaua), Ionut Dimofte (Contor Zenner Arad), Ionut Tofan (Limoges, France), Ioan Teodorescu (U Cluj), Gabriel Brezoianu (Dax, France), Romeo Gontineac (Aurillac, France), Casaba Gal (U Cluj), Valentin Maftei (Aurillac, France), Catalin Fercu (Contor Zenner Arad), Danut Dumbrava (Steaua), Iulian Dumitras (Pau, France).

Date: Saturday, 10 March 2006

Kick-off: 16.00

Venue: Stade Bonneval, La Teste-de-Buch

Expected weather conditions: Chance of rain but clearing with a high of 10°C dropping to 7°C and a wind from the northwest of 10 km/h freshening to 21 km/h.

Referee: Stefano Mancini (Italy)

Touch judges: Claudio Passacantando, Domenico Sironi (both Italy)