Rugby Europe finalists confirmed as comp underdogs survive another year

A drama-packed weekend for Rugby Europe fans with Georgia beating Romania and Portugal defeating Spain to qualify for the competition’s final.

In the ranking semifinals, Switzerland and Belgium will compete for 5th place, while Germany, already relegated, will face the Netherlands to avoid finishing in last place.

Switzerland to stay in Men’s Rugby Europe Championship
After beating Germany 35-25 at Yverdon-les-Bains Stade Municipal, Olivier Nier’s Switzerland ensured their spot in next year’s Men’s Rugby Europe Championship. Conversely, Germany were relegated to the Trophy level after finishing last in 2025.

The visitors started on the front foot with fly-half Leo Wolf scoring the game’s opening try, with the Swiss instantly hitting back with a penalty and a try of their own. Bader-Werner Pretorius slotted another three points as Germany retook the lead momentarily.

Unfortunately for them, they would go down to 13 players. Erik Marks was yellow-carded for a high tackle, while captain Justin Renc was sent off after dropping a knee into a Swiss player’s head, with match official Carwyn Sion opting for a 20-minute red card.

After several attempts and two annulled tries, Switzerland managed to add their second try, scored by flanker Jonathan Dallet, allowing the locals to go to the break with a five-point lead.

With everything still to play for, both sides traded a penalty conversion each before Oliver Stein forced his way through the Swiss defence to crash inside the in-goal area. Christopher Henning added the extras.

While Jules Porcher successfully converted another three from the tee, the opposition struck again with their third try of the game, this time scored by former Scarlets No.8 Iestyn Rees.

However, Germany’s comeback would come to an end. Switzerland regained their momentum and in the last quarter crossed the whitewash twice while padlocking their try area to earn a 35-25 victory.

If there are no changes to the competition’s format, Switzerland have retained their status as a core Men’s Rugby Europe Championship team for the next two years.

As for Germany, they will play the 7th/8th play-off, already aware of their fate: relegated to the Trophy level for the next two seasons.

Ill-disciplined Diables Noirs deliver thumping victory
The Low Countries Derby never disappoints as both Belgium and the Netherlands were deeply entangled in a tense affair with the hosts securing a 38-15 victory at the Province Naimette Arena.

The Diables Noirs were class from the start, putting 20 points on the scoreboard following two penalty conversions from Florian Remue and two converted tries, with the Dutch unable to find any footing until the half-hour mark.

As the threat of a significant loss hung over them, the Netherlands regrouped and ultimately scored following a cunning play from scrum half Maxime van Hilst.

Before the break, Belgium were down to 14 as veteran scrum half Julien Berger was red carded after headbutting a Dutch player.

Florian Remue struck two additional penalties from the tee, while Bjorn Dolman scored one of his own before his teammate, Dirk Bruil, bagged the Netherlands second try. Meanwhile, prop Charles-Henri Berguet was sent to the sin-bin due to cynical play.

Leading by 12 points with 10 minutes to go, the locals managed to break into the Dutch in-goal area twice before match official Diogo Inácio whistled for the final time.

Belgium are set to play Switzerland for another opportunity to secure 5th place. Meanwhile, Bryan Easson’s Netherlands team will compete against Germany, which has already been relegated. Both matches are scheduled for Madrid.

Unstoppable Lelos clinch another Championship final
Georgia and Romania delivered an entertaining contest with the locals coming out on top 53-30 to qualify for the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship final for a third time since the knockout stage format was introduced to the competition.

While the Lelos were triumphant in the end, the visiting side produced their best performance against Georgia in years. David Gérard’s Stejarii got the lead first, following a penalty from scrum half Alin Conache.

Tedo Abzhanandze levelled the contest at the 15th minute, but Conache once again punted the ball through the goalposts to keep Romania in the driver’s seat.

Feeling the pressure to deliver, the home team picked up the pace and earned their first two tries of the game, scored by Otar Metreveli and Akaki Tabutsadze. Just before the half-time break, Conache added a three-pointer to narrow Georgia’s lead to six points.

Despite their set-piece dominance, the reigning champions seemed restless, making several handling errors that allowed Romania to stay in the game. However, after the break, the game’s direction changed dramatically, with the Georgians scoring two additional tries. At the same time, Romania’s loosehead prop Alexandru Savin was sent to the sin-bin following a cynical scrum play.

Whilst the fate of the game was already decided, the Romanians still managed to get over the try-line three times, while the Georgians scored four more tries, resulting in a high-scoring game.

The Lelos will now have the chance to retain their crown for an 9th consecutive time, but for that they will have to beat Portugal in next week’s final.

Lobos are through to the final
After a near-perfect performance that saw Portugal beat Spain 26-07, the Lobos will again have the chance to fight for the right to be called the Men’s Rugby Europe champions when they face Georgia next week.

Played out at the Estádio do Restelo, the locals put up a spectacular defence that denied Spain a way into the last 22, with frustration setting in as time went on.

With the home crowd making themselves heard, Portugal finally broke the stalemate from a penalty kick well taken by fly-half Domingos Cabral before Rodrigo Marta scored his first try of the game. The centre came in flying after a clean break from No.8 José Monteiro, grounding the ball between the goalposts.

The Lobos would expand their lead from another penalty goal, taking to the break with a 13-point advantage.

Although Spanish supporters anticipated a potential comeback from their team, Portugal instead scored two additional penalties and a converted try before the 60th minute, making the Los Leones’ task even harder.

Even when Stade Toulousain’s Joel Merkler came in, the visiting side was far from their best, allowing Portugal to slow down the game’s flow until the end.

Spain’s consolation try came from a superb scrum carry taken by Alex Saleta, but it was not enough to deny Portuguese celebrations.

After a disappointing performance in 2025, the Lobos are now back in the competition’s final and will be facing the reigning champions, the Lelos, next Sunday in Leganés.