Women's REC Analysis: Spain remain top of the food chain

Spain claimed another Women’s Rugby Europe Championship (REC) title after successfully winning all of their matches, providing a positive boost ahead of their return to the Rugby World Cup in August.

However, despite the repeat result of Spain claiming the title, (they’ve won the past eight years), the championship provided many competitive moments. Span still had to dig deep to defeat a resilient Netherlands side in the competition’s last round.

But how did each team perform? What positives can their fans take? And which players were standout performers?

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

Spain:
Final position: 1st place
Results: Played 3, won 3
Top point scorer: Léa Ducher – 24 points
Main positive: Stable and sturdy set-piece
Main negative: Indiscipline could’ve proven more costly

The Leonas had made the Women’s REC title retention theIR top goal and accomplished it for an eighth time in a row. However, the overall team performance was far from perfect, with ill discipline and a cascade of handling errors limiting their chances and gifting several chances to the opposition to strike back.

Such was the case in their last game of the competition, with the Dutch opposition keeping their hopes alive until the final minutes. In a game that Spain dominated for 65 minutes, the Leonas failed to capitalise and allowed the visitors the potential of a draw going into half-time. In total, Spain was penalised an average of 14 times per game, reaching a total of 17 on their visit to Portugal.

The second main issue rests with the backline inconsistency. Yes, Claudia Peña Hidalgo, Amalia Argudo and Anne de Corres pulled some stunning moves and plays, but it lacked consistency and at times clarity. Interestingly, when Léa Ducher was on the pitch against Portugal and Sweden, the game plan worked to a higher quality degree.

But, enough with the negatives, as there were also good takeaways from Juan González Marruecos’s side. The set-piece showed a remarkable growth, with the scrum deserving the spotlight, as it served the Leonas a strong platform to set up try scoring opportunities. The driving maul was ferocious and did its work, pushing back the heavy packs of Portugal and the Netherlands, setting the tone in those games.

Concerning their defence, the Leonas are still far from replicating the form shown in the last WXV3 tournament, having conceded four tries, a slight increase compared to the 2024 Women’s REC.

Harlequins trio Claudia Peña Hidalgo, Amalia Argudo, Léa Ducher, and Zahia Pérez had glimpses of brilliance in some moments, carving sensational plays that ultimately translated into tries. In the pack, Sale Sharks Alba Capell, Lourdes Alameda, Laura Delgado, Cristina Blanco and Eider García made the forward pack purr to a top level.

Spain still has time to find their groove before returning to the grandest stage of the game. They recently got good game time against South Africa and will face Japan twice on a July tour.

The Netherlands:
Final position: 2nd place
Results: Played 3, won 2
Top point scorer: Pleuni Kievit – 42 points
Main positive: Physicality on the gain line
Main negative: Impatience and inexperience

Gareth Gilbert’s era as head coach of the Netherlands kicked off in great form, as the Oranje were able to lock in a tight arm-wrestle clash against Spain, making their rivals sweat and work until the final play.

Physical, powerful and drenched in a belief that they could topple the champions, the Dutch were vibrant whilst defending, knocking players back with ease, and even forced the likes of Spain to opt for a kick-and-chase strategy rather than trying for a more bash-and-crash approach.

While the offensive game plan still needs time to mature, Esmee Ligtvoet and Pleuni Kievit’s nine:ten combo was efficient and allowed Kika Mulling to sow problems on the wing.

As for the best individual performances, Inger Jongerius (really deserves a shot at Premiership Women’s Rugby), Isa Prins, Linde van der Velden, Sidney de Weijer and Kika Mulling were unbreakable and unplayable at times.

They might not have won the Women’s REC, but something special is brewing within the Netherlands, and it is a shame we will not see them at this year’s World Cup.

Portugal:
Final position: 3rd place
Results: Played 3, won 1
Top point scorer: Daniela Correia – 20 points
Main positive: Super work at the breakdown
Main negative: Attacking game plan faced several issues

A 12 point loss against Spain, a virtuous first-half in Amsterdam, and a victorious performance in Sweden. This briefly sums up Portugal’s campaign in the Women’s REC, and head coach João Moura can be happy with what the team achieved in their second year in the competition.

Their team performance in the opening match was beyond remarkable, with the locals pushing Spain back and locking down their in-goal area in the last 40 minutes, snatching 12 turnovers at the breakdown. Their defensive prowess was notable and astounding, making life hard for their Spanish and Dutch rivals.

Even if they lacked some composure while on the offensive, there were glimpses of brilliance when Daniela Correia had time and space to play, with the Portuguese skipper finishing as their top try scorer. Mariana Santos, former Worcester Warriors’ players Sara Moreira, Adelina Costa and Clarisse Augusto shined throughout the campaign and were vital to allow Portugal to make strides in the championship.

Sweden:
Final position: 4th place
Results: Played 3, won 0
Top point scorer: Maja Framming – 3 points
Main positive: Lineout work
Main negative: Lack of line speed while defending

Sweden’s campaign in the Women’s REC might not end with any wins, but the overall sentiment has to be positive, as there were significant improvements in the way the set-piece functioned, for example.

Yes, defensively the Swedes weren’t able to lockdown their try-area, but what is undeniable is their resilience, never-say-die attitude and constantly finding a way to stay in the fight. Even if they failed to score any tries, Dustin Jinka’s side pulled some tricks out of the hat, a promising sign for the future.

Harlequins’ Maja Meuller was Sweden’s heart and soul, earning a 95% tackle completion rate and was an impressive jackler at the breakdown.