Romania return to the Rugby World Cup after missing out four years ago due to a disqualification that ruined their 100% attendance record since the global tournament was first played in 1987.
The Oaks were guilty of fielding Sione Faka'osilea in the qualifiers when he had already played for Tonga and had their hopes of appearing in Japan quashed.
However, a similar incident saw them qualify for France 2023. Having initially finished third in the European qualifier table behind Georgia and Spain it looked like they would be headed for the playoffs, only for Span to be docked points for selecting an ineligible player, and Romania - with former England and Scotland coach Andy Robinson at the helm - got bumped up into the automatic qualification spots.
Their task at the World Cup is daunting, opening their Pool A campaign against Ireland before facing world champions South Africa, in-form Scotland and physically imposing Tonga.
Robinson unexpectedly quit in December, citing poor results "on and off the field", and amid rumours of friction with senior members of the squad.
"I feel that I have taken the Romanian team as far as I can and that it is the right time for a Romanian coach to take over the team," Robinson said.
He was replaced ex-Romania international Eugen Apjok, who must make the tier two side battle ready to at least show their progression.
He has roped in New Zealand-born coach Vern Cotter, who has led both Scotland and Fiji, as a consultant to add experience to their technical team.
Cotter (above) will coach the Auckland Blues in Super Rugby next year.
"I have been overseeing their preparation since this year's Rugby Europe Championship and I will be involved as an advisor for the World Cup, hoping the Oaks will evolve, play some good games and exceed everyone's expectations," Cotter said.
Apjok has sprung a surprise in demoting experienced back row Mihai Macovei as captain and replacing him with number eight Christian-Marian Chirica, who will wear the armband.
Most players are home-based, but prop Thomas Crețu turns out for Stade Francais and lock Adrian Motoc is at Biarritz. Motoc was red carded in the 57-7 loss to Italy this month, but the decision was later overturned.
Several others play in the lowers leagues in France and New Zealand-born Hinckley Vaovasa has been selected as a fullback but can also cover flyhalf.
Romania have won a game at six of their previous eight World Cups, 1995 and 2011 being the odd years out, but it would be a major surprise were they to add to that this time round, especially considering their poor form coming into this tournament.
They finished third, behind Georgia and Portugal, at this year's Rugby Europe Championship, while they endured a dismal World Cup warm-up campaign.
It started with a 31-17 defeat at home to the USA, a side who haven't even qualified for the tournament, while heavy defeats to Georgia and Italy followed, losing 56-6 and 57-7 respectively.
Romania squad:
Forwards: Alexandru Savin, Gheorghe Gajion, Thomas Crețu, Alexandru Gordas, Costel Burtila, Iulian Hartig, Ovidiu Cojocaru, Robert Irimescu, Florin Bardasu, Adrian Motoc, Marius Iftimiciuc, Ștefan Iancu, Cristi Chirica (capt), Andre Gorin, Vlad Neculau, Dragoș Ser, Cristi Boboc, Florian Rosu, Damian Stratila
Backs: Gabriel Rupanu, Florin Surugiu, Alin Conache, Gabriel Pop, Sioeli Lama, Tudor Boldor, Nicolas Onutu, Marius Simionescu, Tangimana Fonovai, Taylor Gontineac, Jason Tomane, Tevita Manumua, Hinckley Vaovasa, Taliauli Sikuea
Fixtures (kick-offs Irish time):
9 September: Ireland v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux (2.30pm)
17 September: South Africa v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux (2pm)
30 September: Scotland v Romania, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille (8pm)
8 October: Tonga v Romania, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille (4.45pm)
Tonga have never made it out of the pool stage at the World Cup and appear set to continue that record in France despite boosting their ranks with a slew of former New Zealand internationals.
Tonga were the big winners from a World Rugby decision two years ago that made it easier for players to switch allegiance.
That allowed long-serving coach Toutai Kefu to welcome former Ulster full-back Charles Piutau and ex-Munster centre Malakai Fekitoa among five former All Blacks in his World Cup squad.
He had hoped to have two Wallabies in the mix, but full-back Israel Folau was ruled out by injury, leaving lock Adam Coleman the only capped Australian.
The influx of Test players has not quite proved the panacea Kefu was hoping for when he declared in June that his squad would probably be Tonga's best ever at a World Cup.
They finished last in the recent Pacific Nations Cup, failing to win a game against winners Fiji, Samoa and Japan, a year after also coming last in the 2022 tournament.
Tonga have had their share of tough draws at World Cups, and may have felt the rugby gods were against them when they landed in France's "pool of death" with defending champions South Africa, world number one Ireland, Scotland and Romania for opposition.
They head into the tournament with winning form at least, albeit in back-to-back matches against Canada, who failed to qualify.
Another minor positive is that the Tongans have plenty of time to work on their game and assess the landscape as their rivals head into battle well before their Pool B opener against Ireland in Nantes on Sept. 16.
Kefu and his staff see the Ireland clash as pivotal to their faint quarter-finals hopes.
"We're in a tough pool, but we'll throw all our eggs in one basket and aim up against Ireland," he said in June.
"We can't play footy with them; they'll beat us every day of the week.
"So we need to come up with a bit of a plan and I think we've got one. It's going to be good."
Fast starts have not been Tonga's forte at recent World Cups where their best rugby arrived too late.
Arguably their finest World Cup saw them beat Japan and upset eventual finalists France 19-14 at the 2011 tournament in New Zealand but only after a deflating loss to Canada.
Tonga finished strongly four years ago in Japan, pushing France in a 23-21 defeat before bowing out victorious against the United States, their sole win from one of the tournament's toughest pools.
For all of Tonga's challenges, the nation's ability to keep fronting up at World Cups remains a marvel of the game, and a magical upset may not be beyond the 'Ikale Tahi'.
Tonga squad:
Forwards: Sosefo 'Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Leva Fifita, Vaea Fifita, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Feao Fotuaika, Solomone Funaki, Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Havili Talitui, Tau Koloamatangi, Paula Latu, Sam Lousi, Sitiveni Mafi, Siua Maile, Samiuela Moli, Paula Ngauamo, Semisi Paea, Ben Tameifuna, Sione Vailanu
Backs: Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa, William Havili, Fine Inisi, Solomone Kata, Otumaka Mausia, George Moala, Manu Paea, Salesi Piutau, Augustine Pulu, Sonatane Takulua, Kyren Taumoefolau, Afusipa Taumoepeau, Anzelo Tuitavuki
Fixtures (kick-offs Irish time):
16 September: Ireland v Tonga, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes (8pm)
24 September: Scotland v Tonga, Stade de Nice, Nice (8pm)
1 October: South Africa v Tonga, Stade Velodrome, Marseille (8pm)
8 October: Tonga v Romania, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille (4.45pm)
South Africa go into the defence of the Rugby World Cup title with a renewed swagger and greater squad depth than recent years, but are on a side of the draw that means they are arguably playing "knockout rugby" from game one in France.
The Springboks produced thumping victories in their final two warm-up games, beating Wales 52-16 in Cardiff and inflicting a biggest ever defeat on New Zealand with a 35-7 win at neutral Twickenham as they seek a record fourth World Cup win.
Coach Jacques Nienaber - who will join Leinster after the tournament - will hope they are peaking at the right time and has admitted they are better equipped for success this year than when they lifted the trophy four years ago in Japan.
They must navigate Ireland and Scotland in their pool, after which one of France or New Zealand will likely be waiting in the quarter-finals.
"We are in knockout rugby from game one when we play Scotland (in Marseille on 10 September). That is the reality of it," Nienaber said. "Our goal is the World Cup. Everyone knows this is our aim.
"We can't hide away from that. We want to be the second team to go back-to-back after New Zealand [2011 and 2015] and the first team to win the trophy four times."
South Africa's pack of forwards is the envy of many, with any one of the 19 in the squad able to make a strong case to start, including two Munster second rows RG Snyman and Jean Kleyn, the latter of whom represented Ireland at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
It allows them to implement their "Bomb Squad" off the bench, replacements who come on, usually early in the second half, with fresh legs and lungs to continue to grind opponents into submission and maintain set-piece dominance.
It gives Nienaber an 80-minute game and is hugely effective, even if their preferred 6-2 split on the bench between forwards and backs does leave them vulnerable to injuries in the backline.
"It is something that we train for, with certain forwards to fulfil some roles in backline play. We have to plan for those scenarios with all the yellow cards that go around these days," Nienaber said.
They have been hurt by injuries to two of their stalwarts from 2019, out-half Handre Pollard and outside centre Lukhanyo Am, who are not part of the squad in France. The pair were left out after carrying injuries into August, although do appear to be in line for call-ups as injury replacements if needed.
Manie Libbok (above) has taken over the number 10 jersey and gives the team more attacking impetus with ball in hand, but he does not have the accuracy of Pollard off the kicking tee and is prone to simple misses, which could come back to bite the side in tight knockout games.
Am’s place will be taken by Jesse Kriel or mercurial winger Canan Moodie, 20, who is a rising star of the global game and can also cover centre.
Nienaber does have a concern around the team’s ability to turn entries into the opponent’s 22 into points, something he has bemoaned for a while.
"In the World Cup you get only four or five opportunities and you have to capitalise on them. That is something we will try and fix (ahead of the tournament)," he said.
Their showdown with Ireland on 23 September in Paris stands alongside the meeting of France and New Zealand as being one of the most anticipated games of the pool stage.
South Africa squad:
Forwards: Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane; Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx; Eben Etzebeth, Jean Kleyn, Marvin Orie; Franco Mostert, Deon Fourie, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Kwagga Smith, Marco Van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese.
Backs: Faf de Klerk, Jaden Hendrikse, Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams; Manie Libbok, Damian Willemse; Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Jesse Kriel; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie Le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie
Fixtures (kick-offs Irish time):
10 September: South Africa v Scotland, Stade Velodrome, Marseille (4.45pm)
17 September: South Africa v Romania, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux (2pm)
23 September: Ireland v South Africa, Stade de France, Saint-Denis (8pm)
1 October: South Africa v Tonga, Stade Velodrome, Marseille (8pm)
Just like Ireland, Scotland have been nothing if not consistent at the Rugby World Cup, reaching at least the quarter-finals in seven of their nine previous appearances, but they will need to produce an upset if they are to reach that stage this time round.
Scotland have been paired with holders South Africa and Six Nations champions Ireland in Pool B, reducing their chances of making the knockouts but there is little doubt their more fancied opponents will be wary of the threat they pose.
They have proven capable of producing big performances, as they showed at Twickenham in February when they beat England, and their form in recent seasons under Gregor Townsend has seen them rise to fifth in the world rankings.
"We're fit enough, we’ve got the game and we’ve got the players to take on any team we come up against," warned Townsend, who pronounced himself particularly pleased with their preparation.
They beat Italy and France at home, lost narrowly to the French a week later in a thriller at St Etienne and then rounded off their warm-up programme with a comfortable win over Georgia.
"There were elements where we can improve and that will come, and it has come because we’ve seen improvement right throughout the season," added Townsend. "I am so proud of not just the effort but that resilience and collective belief the players have built over the last few weeks and last few months."
Scotland have traditionally had a relatively small pool of players to pick from.
Yet this time Townsend has been almost spoilt for choice having seen his squad grow in recent years, particularly with players recruited through ancestry or after serving three years with Scottish clubs.
The South African-born pair of Pierre Schoeman and Duhan van der Merwe have become cult heroes while Australian-born Sione Tuipulotu, who has a grandmother from Greenock, has dislodged British & Irish Lion Chris Harris from the starting lineup.
Former captain Stuart Hogg's sudden retirement in July threatened to take their preparations off the rails, but Blair Kinghorn has impressed at full-back during this warm-up campaign.
Finn Russell at out-half, however, is their key player with match winning capability and there is plenty of experience in the pack with Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Rory Sutherland and Hamish Watson.
"The depth we have in our squad means we can mix things up at times, rest players or bring players in because of form or because they are suited to a certain game," said Townsend.
The Scots start their World Cup against the Springboks in Marseille on 10 September, then take on Tonga and Romania before what could be a decisive final Pool B fixture against Ireland in Paris on 7 October.
"All we’ve been focused on is being at our best for the start of the tournament – or as close to our best as we can get. I know that’s idealistic. In your first game at a World Cup, you’re not going to deliver your very best game but we’re working hard to do that," said Townsend.
Scotland have never beaten a higher ranked team at the previous nine World Cup tournaments but the coach feels this time it could be different.
"We believe when we get our game right, we can be a match for any of the top three or four teams in the world," he said.
Scotland squad:
Forwards: Ewan Ashman, Jamie Bhatti, Dave Cherry, Luke Crosbie, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey, Matt Fagerson, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, WP Nel, Jamie Ritchie (capt), Pierre Schoeman, Javan Sebastian, Sam Skinner, Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Hamish Watson
Backs: Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Ben Healy, George Horne, Huw Jones, Blair Kinghorn, Ali Price, Cameron Redpath, Finn Russell, Ollie Smith, Kyle Steyn, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwee, Ben White
Fixtures (kick-offs Irish time):
10 September: South Africa v Scotland, Stade Velodrome, Marseille (4.45pm)
24 September: Scotland v Tonga, Stade de Nice, Nice (8pm)
30 September: Scotland v Romania, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille (8pm)
7 October: Ireland v Scotland, Stade de France, Saint-Denis (8pm)
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Watch live coverage of Ireland v Tonga (Saturday 16 September) and South Africa (Saturday 23 September) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
