Slighted World Cup regular hits back in Rugby Europe Championship

After a breathtaking first round, the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship moved into round two, with no stuns this time around.

Portugal and Georgia dominated their clashes against Germany and the Netherlands, while Spain and Romania also defeated Switzerland and Belgium.

Ravenous Lobos claim 10-try win over Germany
Simon Mannix’s Portugal gave no hope to their German hosts, as the Lobos produced one of their best performances to secure a 68-10 win at the Paul Greifzu Stadium.

In what was a one-way contest, the visitors were quick to get on the board following a try from US Colomiers’ Rodrigo Marta, with the utility back bagging a second five-pointer later on. Portugal’s set-piece stole the show, giving time and space for their backline to score four additional tries before the break.

Mark Khulmann’s Germany trailed 33-0 at half-time, unable to break through the opposition’s structure and spending most of the first half boxed inside their own 22.

To make matters worse for the hosts, Portugal secured their sixth try just a few minutes into the second half, as Provence’s Manuel Vareiro dived into the corner to resume the Lobos show.

The visitors collected four more tries before the final whistle, while Germany managed two of their own to give their fans something to cheer.

Portugal will now face Romania in Lisbon in a bid to claim top spot in Pool B, while Germany still have a chance to qualify for the Championship semi-finals but need at least a draw against Belgium.

Los Leones survive early scare to see off Switzerland
Contrary to what happened with their Iberian rivals, Spain had to dig deep to overcome a spirited Swiss side that led twice before the hosts were able to steady themselves and earn a 53-14 win at Valladolid’s Pepe Rojo.

As noted earlier, Olivier Nier’s Switzerland took the lead in the 12th minute when blindside flanker Nicolas Mousties wriggled his way through the opposition defence. Fly-half Willy Gonnet added the extras.

Spurred on by their fans, Los Leones levelled the score a few minutes later thanks to Estanislao Bay, as the scrum-half took advantage of a Swiss mistake to ground the ball.

However, the Swiss were determined to make a statement and bossed the Spanish pack before lock Martin Even claimed his side’s second try of the game.

With 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Spain found their rhythm and collected two tries through Alejandro Laforga and debutant Oriol Marsinyac, giving them a 21-14 lead at half-time.

Unfortunately for the visitors, as had already happened against Georgia, their form dipped, allowing Spain to regain control and mount a six-try spree.

Veteran hooker Santi Ovejero steered a driving maul deep into Switzerland’s in-goal area before number eight Alex Saleta completed a brace to extend the lead to 38-14.

Despite Switzerland’s best efforts, they were unable to stave off Spain, with the home side scoring three more times before the conclusion.

Spain will travel to Tbilisi to face the Lelos, with the winner claiming first place in Pool A. As for the Edelweiss, they will host the Netherlands.

Matkava brings the fireworks to the National Rugby Center
The Lelos travelled to Amsterdam’s National Rugby Center to face the Netherlands and, after a competitive contest, the Georgians came out on top 61-12.

The 17-time Men’s Rugby Europe Championship winners only managed to burst the Dutch dam after the 10-minute mark, and in unorthodox fashion. After several unsuccessful attempts, prop Luka Goginava broke the line, fended off an incoming tackler and assisted Gela Aprasidze for the scrum-half’s try.

However, the hosts responded, managing to find a way inside Georgia’s 22. Playing against 14 due to Akaki Tabutsadze being sent to the sin-bin, Bryan Easson’s side added their first five-pointer following a strong carry from Sem Verplancke.

Stung by the Dutch resilience, Georgia went on a mission to assert their physical and tactical dominance and eventually scored their second, through Bristol Bears flanker Luka Ivanishvili.

For the remainder of the first half, Georgia claimed two more converted tries, both from Luka Matkava, to extend their lead to 28-5 before Max Weston sent the teams into the break.

Contrary to the opening 40 minutes, it was the home side who struck first after the restart, through Jules Swier. The speedster found space out wide and side-stepped two Georgians before grounding the ball.

Nonetheless, momentum remained with Georgia and, like an avalanche, they added further tries through Gela Aprasidze, Mamik Mstoian, Bachuki Tchumbadze, Otar Metreveli and Georges Shvelidze.

With five points in the bag, Georgia return home to host Spain in Pool A’s decider. Whoever comes out on top will earn a home semi-final. As for the Netherlands, they will meet Switzerland at the Stade Municipal in Yverdon-les-Bains.

Stejarii overcome the elements to return to winning ways
Through mud, snow and freezing conditions, Romania delivered a 23-6 win over Belgium to climb to second place with one round remaining.

With the match played at Ia?i’s Emil Alexandrescu Stadium, the hosts were first on the board following a well-taken penalty from Alin Conache.

While the Stejarii took the early lead, Belgium controlled possession for long spells, moving steadily towards the opposition 22, with Florian Remue kicking the visitors’ first points from the tee.

In the 28th minute, Remue added a second penalty following a scrum infringement. Romania missed a few opportunities and had to wait until the final minute of the half to level the score, with Conache converting another penalty to make it 6-6.

The direction of the game shifted after the break, as the Romanian pack took control and boxed Belgium inside their own half.

The hosts had to wait until the 58th minute for their first try, finished by Kemal Altinok after several attacking phases, with the Stejarii looking more physical and direct.

Rugby Europe Championship

Pool A

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Georgia

2

2

0

0

10

2

Spain

2

2

0

0

10

3

Netherlands

2

0

2

0

0

4

Switzerland

2

0

2

0

0

Pool B

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Portugal

2

2

0

0

10

2

Romania

2

1

1

0

5

3

Germany

2

1

1

0

4

4

Belgium

2

0

2

0

0

With Conache adding the extras and another penalty, Romania piled on and claimed a second try through Eduard Cioraba.

Belgium were unable to counter the hosts’ control, with referee Saba Abulashvili bringing the game to an end.

Romania head to Lisbon needing a strong result to secure second place, regardless of the outcome of Belgium v Germany.