Petru Bălan

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Petru Vladimir Bălan


caption =
birthname =
nickname =
dateofbirth =
birthyear = 1976
birthmonth = 06
birthday = 12
placeofbirth = Suceava, Romania
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = Height|m=1.85
weight = 117 kg (18 st 6 lb)
ru_position = Prop|capital=yes
ru_amateuryears =
ru_amateurclubs =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = Romania
ru_nationalyears = 2003-
ru_nationalcaps = 51
ru_nationalpoints = (40)
ru_ntupdate = 2007-09-19
ru_clubyears = 2003-2008 |
ru_proclubs = Biarritz Olympique
ru_clubcaps =
ru_clubpoints =
ru_clubupdate = 2007-09-19
other =
occupation =
family =
spouse =
children =
relatives =
school =
university =

Petru Vladimir Bălan (born 12 July, 1976 in Suceava) is a Romanian rugby union footballer, currently playing for Biarritz Olympique in the top level of French rugby, the Top 14 competition. He is also a Romanian international, and has played for his national team. His usual position is as a prop.

Before moving to play rugby in France he played for Dinamo-Bucuresti in Romania, including playing for them in the 1998-99 European Challenge Cup. He played for FC Grenoble in the 2002-04 Challenge Cup and European Shield competitions. He moved to Biarritz for the 2003-04 season. He was a part of the team that were runners-up to Munster in the 2005-06 Heineken Cup, and won the 2005-06 Top 14.

He was a part of the Romanian team at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, playing two matches throughout the tournament held in Australia.

On March 14th 2008 Balan signed for Northampton Saints in the Guinness Premiership. He was expected to join the club for the 2008-09 season, but an unspecified injury problem lead to his contract being voided. Bălan has not yet signed with another club for the upcoming season.

External links

* [http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/36_4571.php?player=70 Petru Balan] on ercrugby.com
* [http://www.rwc2003.irb.com/EN/Tournament/Teams/Romania/Players/Petru+Balan/ Petru Balan] on rwc2003.irb.com