The mobile Romanian prop has become a firm favourite at Madejski since moving from Bath in 2009. Ion has made 40 appearances scoring one try.

Ion grew up in the eastern Romanian city of Brailia, swapping amateur boxing for rugby in a bid to improve his physique.

He soon established himself as one of the brightest talents in Romanian rugby and has since been capped 50 times, featuring in the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups. Ion played in his third Rugby World Cup in New Zealand this year making his 50th appearance in the final group game against Georgia.