Valentin Ursache

Valentin Niculae Ursache (born 12 August 1985 in Târgu Neamt) is a Romanian former rugby union player.

Valentin Ursache

Ursache captain of US Oyonnax in 2014
Birth name	Valentin Niculae Ursache
Date of birth	(1985-08-12) 12 August 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth	Târgu Neamt
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	248 lb (112 kg; 17.7 st)
Notable relative(s)	Andrei Ursache (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2003–2007 2007–2008 2008–2010 2010–2012 2012–2022 Contor Zenner Arad Steaua București CSM Baia Mare Pays d'Aix Oyonnax 35 211 (25) (70) Correct as of 15 April 2021 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2004–2018 Romania 66 (20) Correct as of 15 April 2021[1]

Ursache played in Romania for Contor Zenner Arad, Steaua Bucharest and CSM Baia Mare. He also played in France for Pays d'Aix RC and Oyonnax, from where he retired in June 2022.

Ursache has 55 caps for Romania, since his debut at 26 June 2004, in the historical 25-24 win over Italy, in Bucharest, in a test match. He played twice at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, coming on both times as a substitute.^[2] He was called into the squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, playing in three matches.^[2] He also played in four group stage matches of Romania's 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.^[2]

On 29 April 2013, Ursache was named honorary citizen of Oyonnax.^[3]

Honours

Club

Steaua București

• Romanian Cup: 2007

CSM Baia Mare

• SuperLiga Champion: 2009, 2010

Oyonnax

• Pro D2 Champion: 2012–13, 2016–17