5. Dinamo-Bucuresti
Romanian club Dinamo-Bucuresti were an essential part of mapping out the European Challenge Cup’s initial growth to tier two and tier three nations. In 1996, The Bulldogs made history, as along with Italian side Petrarca, they became the first clubs from outside of the ‘Five Nations’ to participate in a top European club competition. Bucuresti had an impressive run in the first ever ‘Challenge Shield’, and recorded the best performance from any Romanian side.
Despite back-to-back defeats to French duo Narbonne and Castres, Dinamo rallied back and recorded the first points for a non tier one club side. Bucuresti played Bridgend to a 24-24 draw, before a monumental 38-31 victory over another Welsh club, Treorchy. Their most stunning victory came in the final round of the Pool stages, as they triumphed 19-18 over Bristol, putting Romanian rugby on the map.
A third placed pool stage finish was respectable, given the unrelenting dominance of Narbonne and eventual finalists Castres. Dinamo-Bucuresti would return to the European Challenge Cup the following year, before trading the spot with the likes of local rivals Steaua Bucuresti. Dinomo were eventually withdrawn in 2005, with newly formed Bucuresti Rugby pursuing European endeavours on behalf of Romania, with players selected for this invitational side in ‘Lions Tour’ style.