The Oval Globe: Paulica Ion - London Irish & Romania

An honest and mobile prop forward, Paulica Ion has indelibly endeared himself to the London Irish faithful since arriving at the Madejski Stadium from Bath in 2009. With a stout, robust frame that lends itself perfectly to the travails of the front row, he has excelled equally on domestic and international fronts.

Back in September, the 28 year-old won his 50th cap for Romania in a 25-9 defeat to Georgia – The Oaks' final group game of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. It was the third tournament that Ion has been involved in at senior level, testament to his immense talent and admirable longevity in the engine room of rugby's most arduous position.

Now, the tighthead is back in Blighty with the Exiles and has helped his side to third place in the Aviva Premiership table. In the first of Sportsvibe's Oval Globe features, Ion tells us all about luscious Romanian food, a flirtation with amateur boxing and his ambition to grace the 2015 World Cup in England.         

Q: What are your earliest rugby memories of learning the game in Romania?

The coaches from a local club came and spotted me at school – they would come around looking for the big guys who might end up being good at rugby. They told me to come and play for them but I didn’t know what rugby was at that time, as I’d never played it before.

I guess the only reason I agreed to go to the first session with them was because they said that there was a free gym there, and that I could use it at anytime I wanted to. It was only after a few sessions in the gym and a couple of skills sessions with the ball that I really got into it. I was a No. 8 starting out because I was tall for my age, but when everyone caught up I got moved to the front. I was a bit fatter than everyone else!

Q: Did your background in amateur boxing prepare you well for the physical challenges of being a prop?

Yes, definitely. Before I played rugby I did a bit of boxing, which was very tough but really good training. I wasn’t in the best shape before I started boxing but it got me fit and looking good so that, when it came to the rugby, I could keep up with the best. Also, all the strength work I did in boxing meant I was pretty good at rugby.

Teamwork in rugby is something I really appreciate. If you miss something then a teammate can sometimes back you up, whereas boxing is individual. If you miss a punch, you might get knocked out.

Q: There’s a very strong tradition of forward play in your country.  Growing up, that must have suited you very well?

We work a lot in the forwards back home. All the clubs have big packs, as our national team does, too. There’s a lot of competition for the front row because that boys back home are big. The further back through the positions you go, though, the less competition there is. Because of that competition, I had to work really hard to get in the Romania U18s and U19s but, once you’re in the system, it’s much better to progress.

Q: Before coming to Bath in 2007, you played for CSA Steaua Bucharesti. What is domestic rugby like in your home country?

Steaua is one of the best clubs in Romania; I won two championships there before coming over to England. They’re a professional club back home but they are nothing like over here. The professionalism over here is so much greater because the set-up with clubs in England is way better. The coaching and facilities are both really good here.

Rugby still isn’t as big as football, handball or volleyball back home so  - even after the 2003 World Cup - it wasn’t like I was stopped in the street. A couple of people would recognize me, though.

Q: Was arriving in Bath a bit of a culture shock?

Yes, it was difficult but when I arrived there were a lot of people who came and gave me a hand. I was lucky because I met some very nice people early on. Of course I had to take some English lessons when I came because my English was not so good. My wife and I came over here and we really like the place – it’s quieter than back home so it suits us well.

Q: What is the best thing about living in England?

The quality of life is good; my kids were born here which is good for them and I’ve got a great job so life is good.

Q: Would you call yourself an adopted Englishman yet?

Not really, no. I still miss my home and I don’t get to go back there much, maybe once a year during holidays. When I do go back I like to see my family, eat good food and visit some nice places.

England is so different. Back home people are busy and stressed; they’re always looking to make improvements in life. Here people are chilled a lot more.

Q: What do you most miss about being back home?

Food. The food at home is really good – we use lots of fresh and organic foods. Eating is very seasonal; we have light foods in the summer, then lots of meats and things in the winter.

Over here, you can buy most things all year round, so if they are not in season then they don’t tend to be that great because they have been flown in from outside or have had lots of chemicals used to help them grow.

Q: You've just got back from your third Rugby World Cup. Every one of those experiences must have been very special?

Let’s start with 2003 – that was the best World Cup ever. I was lucky to catch that tournament as they called me up for the training camp just two weeks before and I was only 19. I had been at two Junior World Cups beforehand, though, so I knew about the atmosphere, but it was still a massive jump going up to the main thing. We had Ireland, Australia, Argentina and Namibia in our group so it was really tough, but great. When I got home after 2003 people started to recognize me, as rugby was becoming more popular back home. After that World Cup I signed for Steaua, which became the proper start to my career.

In 2007 I was sent home from the training camp, but was recalled during the actual competition. Bath, my club at the time, pushed me to go as I wasn’t too keen because I was being called back after already being sent home. They convinced me it would be a good idea. I didn’t really enjoy it though because, rather than just based in France, you’d end up playing Scotland in Edinburgh.

2011 was great and I had looked forward to it for ages because the people of New Zealand love rugby, but by far my favourite was 2003.

Q: With England in the same group this time round, were you hoping for a showdown with Irish teammate Alex Corbisiero?

Unfortunately, we just missed out on facing each other. We’re mates from London Irish but because of the substitutions made during the game didn’t make it happen.

We’re both still young enough, though. Perhaps I could meet him again in 2015.

Q: It must have been a great honour to win your fiftieth cap against Georgia?

Yeah, to get to 50 caps is OK. I have a couple of colleagues who have around 86 or 87 but it was nice. Romania do not get to play as many games as other countries like England or Ireland so it was nice to reach that landmark, although I didn’t actually know until after when some of the guys from my team gave me a bottle of champagne at the end of the game. I’ve missed a couple of games along the way through injury so I could have played even more.

Q: The next World Cup is in England in 2015, can we count on you to still be representing The Oaks then?

If I’m fit and healthy then I will be looking forward to it. Playing for Romania is great because it’s been the same group of guys who have been with each other for about 10 years while moving through the age groups and into the first team.

We’re all really good mates because we’ve played together for so long, so I really enjoy myself whenever I am involved. 

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