By Matt Findlay

Head coach Lynn Howells has picked a diverse Oaks squad from all over the world, and if you ask him, it’s a unit that can be the 2015 Rugby World Cup’s surprise package.

While the Romanians are still given nigh on no hope of progressing, Howells said his side is capable of pushing some of the bigger nations – namely France, Italy and Ireland, who they are pooled with alongside Canada.

The Oaks take on the French in their first game at the 2015 RWC, before playing Ireland, Canada and Italy.

It’s a far from ideal draw, taking on two of the top 10 ranked sides in the world, but Howells is confident of strong performances.

With kiwi-born Michael Wiringi directing traffic, and the other foreigners in the squad in Tongan centre Paula Kinikilau, South African second-rower Johannes van Heerden and Georgian-born prop Otar Turashvili leading the way, Howells said his side will surprise plenty, while focusing on enjoying the experience of playing the sport’s biggest stage.

“Our players won’t have experienced anything like [this] before,” he said.

“Playing in front of 80,000 spectators at the Olympic Stadium is something we want them to enjoy and embrace.

“We’ve not got any injuries so we’ve picked the 31 top players in Romania.

“The way we want to play has dictated selection more than anything else.

“[Wiringi] reads the game very well and is very instinctive and decisive in his decision-making which is what we need in order to develop our attacking game.

“He’s done really well since coming into the set-up.”

PLAYER TO WATCH: Michael Wiringi (five-eighth)

Just four years ago the kiwi-born first-five was battling away in Taranaki, New Zealand, watching RWC games on TV.

Incredibly, thanks to an email and international rugby’s three-year residency rule, he now gets the chance to play at one.

He’ll be playing in Romania’s most crucial position too, donning the No.10 jersey.

Look to Wiringi to lead his side around with aplomb, and potentially announce himself as a seriously world-class pivot at this tournament.

SQUAD

Forwards: Paulica Ion, Mihaita Lazar, Andrei Ursache, Alexandru Tarus, Horatiu Pungea, Andrei Radoi, Otar Turashvili, Eugen Capatana, Valentin Popirlan, Johannes van Heerden, Marius Antonescu, Valentin Ursache, Mihai Macovei, Viorel Lucaci, Stelian Burcea, Ovidiu Tonita, Daniel Carpo.

Backs: Florin Surugiu, Valentin Calafeteanu, Tudorel Bratu, Danut Dumbrava, Michael Wiringi, Paula Kinikilau, Florin Vlaicu, Csaba Gal, Adrian Apostol, Ionut Botezatu, Florin Ionita, Madalin Lemnaru, Catalin Fercu, Sabin Stratila.

FIXTURES

Wednesday, September 23: vs France; The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London; 8pm

Sunday, September 27: vs Ireland; Wembley Stadium, London; 4.45pm

Tuesday, October 6: vs Canada; Leicester City Stadium, Leicester; 4.45pm

Sunday, October 11: vs Italy; Sandy Park, Exeter; 2.30pm