Games Around the World This Weekend (2017-05-06)

[Brigantine]

Leading up to the June Internationals, several Tier 2/3 etc. competitions are just wrapping up:

Asia Rugby Championship Top 3
Game 3/6 - Japan (11) vs Hong Kong (26).
This competition finishes June 4 - the week before most of the tests start. Also includes Korea (28).

Games 5 and 6 are part of RWC 2019 qualifying for Hong Kong (26) and Korea (28). The winner (excluding Japan) proceeds to repechage playoffs for the repechage tournament only (i.e. there is no path to the RWC except through the repechage tournament, and they must win 2 repechage playoffs even to qualify for the repechage tournament)

Division 1 starts next week.

South American Rugby Championship "A"
Game 1/6 - Chile (29) vs Brazil (31).
The competition includes Uruguay (21) and Paraguay (38) and runs to May 27 (2 weeks before the tests)

This is part of RWC 2019 qualifying - Uruguay (21) is the favourite to proceed - to a repechage playoff and at a minimum to the repechage tournament.

Rugby Americas North Championship (2017 Season is not part of RWC 2019 qualification)
North Zone Cup Game 1/3 - Turks and Caicos (NR) vs Dominican Republic (NR)

North Zone Championship and South Zone Championship start next week.

Rugby Europe International Championships
These are also part of RWC 2019 qualifying, except for the Development Tournament.

Championship / Trophy Relegation / Promotion Playoff is in 2 weeks. [CORRECTED]
20 May: Belgium (27) vs Portugal (23)

If Belgium (27) lose, they are eliminated from RWC 2019 qualification. Portugal (23) - win or lose - must progress through the inter-conference repechage playoffs.

The Championship was in Feb-March, and the Trophy wrapped up 2 weeks ago with first time participant Switzerland (30) beating Poland (34).

Conf 1N: Games 9 & 10/10
Luxembourg (63) vs Czechia (33)
Sweden (58) vs Lithuania (45)

Czechia is ahead of Lithuania by 5 points and a PD of 94, so will proceed to the inter-conference repechage playoffs baring very large winning margins for Luxembourg and Lithuania tomorrow. Sweden is also ahead of Luxembourg by 5 points in the battle to avoid relegation.

Conf 1S: Game 10/10
Cyprus (NR) vs Croatia (56)

Malta (42) had already secured the spot in the inter-conference repechage playoffs, but Cyprus needs 3 points to avoid relegation.

Conf 2N: Games 9 & 10/10
Finland (101) vs Hungary (76)
Norway (93) vs Estonia (NR)

Denmark (86) is currently in pole position (with no games remaining), but Hungary (76) can progress instead if they achieve at least a draw. Estonia (NR) needs at least a losing bonus point to avoid relegation, even though the other contender Turkey (NR) (in Conf 2S) forfeit every game this season.

Conf 2S already finished last week.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (68) will progress to the inter-conference repechage playoffs

Conference Finals and inter-conference repechage playoff start in 2 weeks. (Conferences 1 and 2 only)

Development Tournament starts next week. (Not part of RWC qualification)

Africa Cup
The Gold Cup and Silver Cup are part of RWC 2019 qualifying.

The Gold Cup starts June 24 - The 3rd week of tests.

The Silver Cup starts July 5 - 2 weeks after most of the tests finish.

Bronze Cup North
Games 1-3/3 take place over the next week, between Nigeria (74), Cameroon (90) and Algeria (NR)

The Bronze Cup South finished last week.

Regional Challenge
Group West 1 game 3/3 - Ghana (NR) vs Togo (NR)

Group West 2 takes place in 2 weeks (in the week running up to the start of tests)

The top ranked countries to *NOT* have any June tests or matches in the above competitions are: (Including completed matches, if the whole competition is not yet finished)

Spain (18)
Russia (20)
Switzerland (30)
Netherlands (32)
Poland (34)
Moldova (35)
Ukraine (37)
Kazakhstan (40) (Inactive)
Colombia (43)
Cook Islands (47) ?? Is the test vs Brazil (31) a fact? What about the one vs Mexico (53)?
Singapore (60)

 

[Brigantine]

Results for 2017-05-06 and games for 2017-05-13:

Asia Rugby Championship
Top 3
Results:
Game 3/6 - (11) Japan 29-17 Hong Kong (26). Surprisingly low score, but to be fair Japan treats this competition as development only.

Upcoming:
Game 4/6 - Hong Kong (26) vs Japan (11). The return leg of last week's match, and for Japan the last game in the competition.

Division 1
Results: None

Upcoming:
Game 1/6 - Sri Lanka (41) vs Philippines (57) on neutral ground (in Malaysia).
Game 2/6 - Malaysia (54) vs United Arab Emirates (72)

South American Rugby Championship "A"
Results: None. (Got the date wrong on game 1/6)

Upcoming:
Game 1/6 - Chile (29) vs Brazil (31). The winner become Uruguay's main rival for qualification to the RWC 2019 repechage tournament. Chile is favoured 67% - 33% per WRR.
Game 2/6 - Paraguay (38) vs Uruguay (21). Uruguay is favoured 94% - 6% for their first RWC 2019 qualification match.

Rugby Americas North Championship
Results:
North Zone Cup Game 1/3 - (NR) Turks and Caicos 24-15 Dominican Republic (NR)

North Zone Championship Game 1/6 - Bermuda (70) vs Mexico (53). Mexico is favoured 67% - 33%.
North Zone Championship Game 2/6 - USA South (N/A) vs Cayman Islands (60).
South Zone Championship Game 1/3 - Barbados (78) vs Guyana (55). Guyana is favoured 77% - 23%.

Rugby Europe International Championships
Conference 1N
Results:
Game 9/10 - (63) Luxembourg 3-33 Czechia (33). Luxembourg is relegated, to be replaced by Hungary (76). Czechia wins the Grand Slam BP and comfortably qualifies for the European repechage playoff rounds, starting with the Conference 1 Final vs Malta (43) next week.
Game 10/10 - (58) Sweden 14-52 Lithuania (45).

Conference 1S
Results:
Game 10/10 - (NR) Cyprus 27-29 Croatia (56). Cyprus narrowly fails to avoid relegation, to be replaced by Bosnia and Herzegovina (68).

Conference 2N
Results:
Game 9/10 - (101) Finland 5-37 Hungary (76). Hungary wins the Grand Slam BP, is promoted to Conference 1N, and qualifies for the European repechage playoff rounds, starting with the Conference 2 Final vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (68) next week.
Game 10/10 - (93) Norway 43-16 Estonia (NR). Estonia is relegated into the development tournament for 2018, potentially replaced by Austria (85) being transferred from Conf 2S to Conf 2N. Unless something happens with Turkey (NR).

Development Tournament
Results: None

Upcoming:
Game 1/3 - Montenegro (NR) vs Slovakia (NR) on neutral ground (in Bulgaria).
Game 2/3 - Bulgaria (97) vs Slovakia (NR) mid-week.

Africa Cup
Bronze Cup North - Postponed to 26 June - 1 July (2 days after the last tests)

Regional Challenge
Results:
Group West 1 game 3/3 - Ghana (NR) vs Togo (NR) - Results unknown.

It looks like these guys do most of this compilation work already. Glad I found them.

 

[Brigantine]

Results for 2017-05-13 and games for 2017-05-20:

This weekend are the Finals for the Rugby Europe Conferences and Rugby Asia Championship Division I, which are RWC 2019 qualifiers.

There is also the Promotion/Relegation play-off Belgium (27) vs Portugal (23), which will decide whether Romania (16) and Spain (18) get to keep their bonus points vs Belgium in the RWC qualification table. (that Russia (20) and Germany (25) don't have).

Asia Rugby Championship
Top 3
Results: Game 4/6 - Hong Kong (26) 0-16 Japan (11) - Like last week, a low score considering the gulf between the teams.
Upcoming: None this weekend. Games resume next weekend.
Note: None of the games this year in ARC Top 3 count for RWC qualification. I got that wrong - it's only the 2018 season that counts.

Division 1
Results:
Game 1/6 - Sri Lanka (41) 24-13 Philippines (57) on neutral ground (in Malaysia). - Sri Lanka won 0.55 RP and overtook Senegal (40) and Lithuania (39) to WRR 39.
Game 2/6 - Malaysia (54) 36-22 United Arab Emirates (72) - No RP exchanged.Due to other teams' results Malaysia slid one place to WRR 55 and UAE rose one place to WRR 71.
Game 3/6 - Sri Lanka (39) 33-17 United Arab Emirates (71) Mid-week, on neutral ground (in Malaysia). - No RP exchanged.
Game 4/6 - Malaysia (55) 40-8 Philippines (57) Mid-week. - Malaysia won 0.76 RP and rose 4 places to WRR 51, the Philippines slid below Israel (58) and Singapore (59) to WRR 59.

Upcoming:
Game 5/6 - Philippines (59) vs United Arab Emirates (71) on neutral ground (in Malaysia).
Game 6/6 Effective Final - Malaysia (51) vs Sri Lanka (39) - Malaysia is now very narrowly favoured 50.3%-49.7% due to home advantage and the extra 0.25 RP they won mid-week by achieving a 15+ point win.
The winner is promoted to the ARC Top 3 in 2018, which counts for RWC 2019 qualification. It will include Hong Kong (26) and Korea (28) but not Japan (11).

South American Rugby Championship "A"
Which also counts for RWC 2019 Qualification - 1 team progresses to a repechage play-off and at a minimum the Repechage Tournament. Uruguay (21) is favoured 98%-2%, Chile (29) is the alternative.

Results:
Game 1/6 - Chile (29) 15-10 Brazil (31) - Chile won 0.65 RP, Brazil slid below the Netherlands (32) and Czechia (33) to WRR 33.
Game 2/6 - Paraguay (38) 19-45 Uruguay (21) - Uruguay won 0.18 RP.

Upcoming:
Game 3/6 - Chile (29) vs Paraguay (38) - Chile is favoured 91% - 9%.
Game 4/6 - Uruguay (21) vs Brazil (31) - Uruguay is ranked too high above Brazil to earn RP.

Rugby Americas North Championship
Results:
North Zone Championship Game 1/6 - Bermuda (70) 7-59 Mexico (53) - Mexico won 0.99 RP and rose 4 places to WRR 49, Bermuda slid below Jamaica (71) and UAE (72) to WRR 72.
North Zone Championship Game 2/6 - USA South (N/A) 39-5 Cayman Islands (60)
South Zone Championship Game 1/3 - Barbados (78) 26-34 Guyana (55) - Guyana won 0.46 RP and overtook Malaysia (54) and Ivory Coast (52) to WRR 53, Barbados slid 5 places to WRR 83.

Upcoming:
North Zone Cup Game 2/3 -Bahamas (88) vs Turks & Caicos Islands (NR)

Rugby Europe International Championships
Finals and Play-Offs

Upcoming:

Championship/Trophy Promotion/Relegation Play-Off - Belgium (27) vs Portugal (23) - Because Belgium has home advantage, Portugal is only favoured 53%-47%.

Historically it would be very unusual if Portugal lost as the 6 Nations B (aka Rugby Europe Championship, formerly European Nations Cup Division 1A), which has been running since 2000, has never gone more than one edition (which used to be 2 years) at a time without the same 5 teams: Georgia (12), Romania (16), Russia (20), Spain (18) and Portugal (23).

Conference 1 Final - Czechia (32) vs Malta (43) - Czechia is favoured 89%-11%. The winner is promoted into the Trophy.
Conference 2 Final - Hungary (75) vs Bosnia (68) - Hungary is favoured 57%-43% due to home advantage. Both teams are promoted into conference 1 regardless of the outcome.

The promotion/relegation play-off is not a RWC qualifier, but if Belgium lose they are eliminated from RWC qualifying and points other teams earned vs Belgium in the 2017 Championship will no longer count. (Which would disadvantage Romania (15 pts) and Spain (13 pts) by one point compared with Russia (9 pts) and Germany (8 pts)). Portugal's chances at RWC qualification are not effected either way.

The winners of the conference 1 and 2 finals progress to a qualifying play-off against each other, with the winner facing Portugal in November.

Development Tournament
Results:
Game 1/3 - Montenegro (NR) 20-32 Slovakia (NR) on neutral ground (in Bulgaria).
Game 2/3 - Bulgaria (97) 22-20 Slovakia (NR) mid-week.

Upcoming:
Game 3/3 - Bulgaria (97) vs Montenegro (NR) - Bulgaria only needs a losing bonus point (without conceding one) to win the tournament and earn promotion into Conference 2 South for 2018. Montenegro needs a bonus point win by 23 points. If neither of those happen, Slovakia (NR) can win.

Africa Cup
Regional Challenge
Results:
Group West 1 Game 3/3 (2 weeks ago) - Ghana (NR) 10-0 Togo (NR) - Ghana win the competition.
Group West 2 Game 1 (yesterday) - Niger (NR) 10-10 Burkina Faso (NR)

Upcoming:
Group West 2 Game 2? - Mali (NR) vs Burkina Faso (NR) ? on neutral ground (in Niger)
Group West 2 Game 3? - Niger (NR) vs Mali (NR) ?

 

[Brigantine]

Results for 2017-05-20 and games for 2017-05-27:

This weekend includes games featuring 9 of the top 33 national teams in the world. (Ranks 2, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 33)

Mid-Year Internationals
Upcoming:
Kenya (23) vs Germany (25) - Kenya is favoured 69%-31%
England (2) vs Barbarians (NR)
Ulster (NR) vs Barbarians (NR) Mid-week.

Asia Rugby Championship
Top 3
Results: None

Upcoming: Game 5/6 Korea (28) vs Hong Kong (27) - Korea is favoured 60%-40% thanks to home advantage, Hong Kong is favoured for the return leg next week. One of these teams will most likely be in the RWC Qualifying Repechage Tournament.

Division 1
Results:
Game 5/6 - Philippines (59) 34-26 United Arab Emirates (71) On neutral ground (in Malaysia) - The Philippines won 0.56 RP and rose back up to WRR 57, the UAE slid below Bermuda (72) and Hungary (75) to WRR 73.
Game 6/6 Effective Final - Malaysia (51) 22-9 Sri Lanka (39) - Malaysia won 0.99 RP, rose 4 places to WRR 47, and is promoted to the ARC Top 3 in 2018. Sri Lanka was eliminated from RWC qualifying and slid back down to WRR 41.

South American Rugby Championship "A"
Results:
Game 3/6 - Chile (29) 66-7 Paraguay (38) - Chile won 0.26 RP, Paraguay is eliminated from RWC qualifying.
Game 4/6 - Uruguay (21) 41-27 Brazil (33) - Uruguay is ranked too high above Brazil to earn RP. Brazil is eliminated from RWC qualifying.

Upcoming:
Game 5/6 - Brazil (33) vs Paraguay (38) - Brazil is favoured 84%-16%.
Game 6/6 Effective Final - Uruguay (21) vs Chile (29) - Uruguay is massively favoured 98%-2%. The winner progresses to a H&A RWC qualifying play-off against either USA or Canada.

This is a must-win for Uruguay for RWC qualifying. Chile is currently ahead in the table on points difference, so only needs a draw.


Rugby Americas North Championship

Results:
North Zone Cup Game 2/3 -Bahamas (88) 19-26 Turks & Caicos Islands (NR)

Upcoming:
North Zone Championship Game 3/6 - Mexico (50) vs USA South (NR)
South Zome Championship Game 2/3 - Trinidad & Tobago (52) vs Barbados (83) - Trinidad & Tobago are ranked too high above Barbados to earn RP.

Rugby Europe International Championships
Finals and Play-Offs

Results:
Championship/Trophy Promotion/Relegation Play-Off - Belgium (27) 29-18 Portugal (23) - Belgium won 1.07 RP and overtook Hong Kong (26) to take WRR 26, Portugal slid below Kenya (24) to WRR 24. Belgium remains in the Championship and Portugal in the Trophy (only the 2nd time ever that Portugal have failed to qualify for the Championship). Both teams are still participating in RWC qualifying.

Conference 1 Final - Czechia (32) 48-14 Malta (43) - Czechia won 0.33 RP and overtook the Netherlands (31) to WRR 31, Malta slid under Columbia (44) and Uganda (45) to WRR 45 and was eliminated from RWC qualifying.
Conference 2 Final - Hungary (75) 19-17 Bosnia (68) - Hungary won 0.86 and rises 5 places to WRR 70, Bosnia slipped 3 places to WRR 71. Both teams are promoted into conference 1 but Bosnia is eliminated from RWC qualifying.

Upcoming:
RWC Qualifying Play-Off Conference 1 vs 2 - Czechia (31) vs Hungary (70) - Czechia is ranked too high above Hungary to earn RP, Hungary doesn't have a chance. The winner proceeds to a RWC qualifying H&A play-off against Portugal (24) in November.

Development Tournament
Results:
Game 3/3 - Bulgaria (97) 19-42 Montenegro (NR) - Slovakia (NR) won the tournament and is promoted into Conference 2 despite Montenegro being equal on points and better on PD - because Slovakia won the game between the two tied teams.
(I got the rules wrong - there was no way for Montenegro to win from the last game. They would have needed Bulgaria to have another bonus point and create a 3-way tie.)

Africa Cup
Regional Challenge
Results:
Group West 2 Game 2/3 - Mali (NR) 8-14 Burkina Faso (NR) on neutral ground (in Niger)
Group West 2 Game 3/3 (yesterday) - Niger (NR) vs Mali (NR) - Result unknown

 

[Welshdragon2000]

Keep these reports coming! Really appreciate the time and effort out in to put this all together

 

[Brigantine]

Results for 2017-05-27 to 2017-06-03 and games for 2017-06-10:

Did anyone watch or hear anything about the North Wales vs Wales game? I was in North Wales a few months ago so I'm curious how the game was received!

The Cook Islands' (48) tests in Brazil (31) and Mexico (50) have definitely been cancelled, as well as Brazil (31) vs Belgium (27). Brazil will host Chile (28) and visit Romania (16) instead.

I've finally found info about the World Rugby Nations Cup this year, hosted by Uruguay (21) and also involving Spain (18), Namibia (19), Russia (20) and then Argentina XV and Emerging Italy. Each of the european teams plays each of the non-european teams.

This means that the highest ranked (as of May 26) country to *not* have at least one inter-continental test between May 27 and June 24 was Belgium (26) who cancelled one. Note though that New Zealand (1) also doesn't have any inter-continental tests against national teams - only the B&I Lions (NR) and Samoa (14).
All up there are 75 countries with top level international matches between May 6 and July 8, including 49 of the top 58 ranked sides (as of May 5)

Mid-Year Internationals

Old Results:
Kenya (23) 29-30 Germany (25) - Germany won 1.39 RP and overtook Portugal (24), Kenya and Canada (22) to WRR 22, matching their highest ever. Kenya slipped below Portugal and were later overtaken by Hong Kong, leaving them in WRR 26.
England (2) 28-14 Barbarians F.C. (NR)
Ulster (NR) 28-43 Barbarians (NR) Mid-week.

Recent Results:
North Wales (NR) 19-88 Wales (8)
NZ Provincial Barbarians (NR) 7-13 British & Irish Lions (NR)

Upcoming:
Auckland Blues (NR) vs British & Irish Lions (NR) Mid Week.
Crusaders (NR) vs British & Irish Lions (NR)
Highlanders (NR) vs British & Irish Lions (NR) Mid Week.
Brazil (31) vs Portugal (25) - The return leg of Portugal 21-17 Brazil last November. Portugal is favoured 61%-39%
Japan (11) vs Romania (16) - RWC 2019 sneak preview! Japan is favoured 85%-15%
Canada (23) vs Georgia (12) - Georgia is ranked too high above Canada to earn RP, even with the home advantage for Canada.
USA (17) vs Ireland (4) - Ireland is ranked too high above USA to earn RP, even with the home advantage for USA.
Australia (3) vs Fiji (10) - Australia is ranked too high above Fiji to earn RP.
Italy (15) vs Scotland (5) On neutral ground in Singapore - Scotland is ranked too high above Italy to earn RP.
South Africa (7) vs France (6) - South Africa is favoured 64%-36%.
Argentina (9) vs England (2) - England is favoured 83%-17%. (With no accounting for Lions players missing)

World Rugby Nations Cup:
Namibia (19) vs Spain (18) On neutral ground in Uruguay - Spain is narrowly favoured 51%-49%. This is also potentially a RWC 2019 sneak preview for Pool B!
Argentina XV (NR) vs Russia (20) On neutral ground in Uruguay
Uruguay (21) vs Emerging Italy (NR)

Asia Rugby Championship Top 3

Old Results: Game 5/6 Korea (28) 17-43 Hong Kong (27) - Hong Kong won 1.8 RP and overtook Belgium (26) and Kenya (23) to WRR 25. Korea slid under Chile (29) to WRR 29.
Recent Results: Game 6/6 Hong Kong (25) 39-3 Korea (29) - Hong Kong was favoured 88%-12%, and only won 0.36 RP this time - enough to overtake Portugal (24) to WRR 24 and send Korea below Switzerland (30) to WRR 30.

Next:
Division 3 Central-East start November 1. The teams are Guam (73), Pakistan (81), Indonesia (99), Laos (NR).
Division 2 starts November 15. The teams are Singapore (60), Taiwan (65), India (77), Thailand (80).

South American Rugby

Championship "A"
Old Results:
Game 5/6 - Brazil (33) 57-6 Paraguay (38) - Brazil won 0.48 RP and overtook Netherlands (32) and Czechia (31) to WRR 31. Paraguay slid under Lithuania (39) and Senegal (40) to WRR 40.
Game 6/6 Effective Final - Uruguay (21) 21-11 Chile (29) - Uruguay won 0.06 RP, Chile was eliminated from RWC qualifying.

Cup
Recent Results: Game 1/4 - Chile (28) 15-31 Argentina XV (NR)
Upcoming: None

Next: Presumably games will resume after the World Rugby Nations Cup i.e. June 25?

Rugby Americas North Championship

Old Results:
North Zone Championship Game 3/6 - Mexico (50) 36-29 USA South (NR)
South Zome Championship Game 2/3 - Trinidad & Tobago (52) 36-16 Barbados (83) - No RP exchanged.

Recent Results:
North Zone Championship Game 4/6 - Bermuda (72) 15-28 Cayman Islands (60) - Cayman Islands were favoured 58%-42%, won 0.83 RP and rose 3 places to WRR 57. Bermuda slid 4 places to WRR 76.
North Zone Cup Game 3/3 - Dominican Republic (NR) 5-42 Bahamas (88) - Turks and Caicos Islands (NR) had already won the cup.

Upcoming:
South Zone Championship Game 3/3 Effective Final - Guyana (54) vs Trinidad & Tobago (52) - Guyana is favoured 63%-37% thanks to home advantage.

Next:
Both remaining North Zone Championship games will be held in on June 17.
The USA (17) vs Canada (23) RWC qualifying play-offs start June 24.

Rugby Europe International Championships
Finals and Play-Offs

Old Results: RWC Qualifying Play-Off Conference 1 vs 2 - Czechia (31) 47-19 Hungary (70) - No RP exchanged. Hungary was eliminated from RWC qualifying.

Next: The 2017-18 season will presumably start in September.

Africa Cup

Next:
The Gold Cup starts on June 24. The teams are Namibia (19), Kenya (26), Zimbabwe (36), Senegal (39), Uganda (44), Tunisia (49)
The Bronze Cup North starts on June 26. The teams are Nigeria (74), Cameroon (89), Algeria (NR)
The Silver Cup starts on July 7. The teams are Madagascar (46), Morocco (51), Ivory Coast (55), Botswana (64).

The Gold and Silver Cups count for RWC qualifying.

Oceania Rugby

Next:
The Pacific Nations Cup starts July 1 and includes Fiji (10), Tonga (13) and Samoa (14).
The Oceania Nations Cup will be a single match held in August between the Cook Islands (48) and Tahiti (91)

Both count for RWC 2019 qualifying.

 

[Brigantine]

And coming up in October/November 2017:

Right Now: Uruguay 33 - 38 Argentina XV - South America Rugby Cup Final

Rugby Africa
- Regional Challenge Group Centre Oct 1 - 7 (Burundi, DR Congo, Gabon)
- Regional Challenge Group South Oct 15 - 21 (Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland)

Rugby Europe (half season)
- Trophy Oct 14 - Nov 4 (Portugal (25), Switzerland (30), Czechia (32), Netherlands (33), Poland (34), Moldova (36)) including a RWC KO-qualifier Portugal (25) vs Czechia (32)
- Conferences 1N, 1S, 2N, 2S Oct 14 - Nov 25.

(1N: Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Sweden, Hungary; 1S: Malta, Israel, Croatia, Andorra, Bos-Herz; 2N: Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia; 2S: Cyprus, Austria, Slovenia, Serbia, Slovakia)​

Asia Rugby Championship
- Division 2 Nov 15 - 18 (Taiwan, Singapore, India, Thailand)
- Division 3 Central Nov 1 - 4 (Laos, Guam, Indonesia, Pakistan)

Hong Kong Cup of Nations
Nov 10 - 18. Russia (20), Hong Kong (22), Kenya (27), Chile (28).

And naturally the 3rd Bledisloe Cup test and November Internationals as well.
Vs Tier 1: - Tier 1, Fiji (9), Japan (11), Georgia (12), Tonga (13), Samoa (16)
Other: - Romania (15), USA (17), Uruguay (18), Spain (19), Namibia (21), Germany (23), Canada (24), Belgium (26), Chile (28), Brazil (29)
Non-National: - World XV, Barbarians, Maori All Blacks, Classic Wallabies, French Barbarians, Asia-Pacific Dragons, Czechia (32) vs South African Barbarians

29 countries with inter-continental tests, 69 countries total with international games.

Top ranked countries without internationals: Korea (31), Uganda (35), Paraguay (39).
Top ranked countries with only intra-continental games: Portugal (25), Switzerland (30), Czechia (32) (vs South African Barbarians only).

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

The Uruguay game sounds like a good one, I'll have to find highlights of that. They continue to improve and, although Canada can arguably still field a stronger starting XV, I think Uruguay have to be considerable favourites in their RWC playoff.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Uruguay continuing to transition into a more expansive game. Apparently they were leading with 77 mins to go. Highlights below:



I can see them challenging for the Americas Rugby Championship soon. Hopefully that would result in a but more fan interest. Montevideo has a population of over 2million but not many of them seem to be rugby fans... yet.

 

[Welshdragon2000]

They led with 77 mins to go? I assume you mean 3 mins to go

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

They led with 77 mins to go? I assume you mean 3 mins to go

Haha. Yes, two tries in the last three minutes denied Uruguay what would have been a historic victory.

 

[Brigantine]

Americas Rugby Championship

• Uruguay (17=) vs Argentina XV (NR)
  
• Canada (21) vs Brazil (25) - Canada is favoured 82%-18%
  
• USA (17=) vs Chile (26) - USA is favoured 100%

Rugby Europe Championship

• Germany (27) vs Georgia (12) - Georgia is favoured 100% (and is an option for a 100-point win)
  
• Russia (20) vs Belgium 28) - Russia is favoured 100%
• Spain (19) vs Romania (15) - Romania is favoured 67%-33%

Coming Soon(ish)

• Next week:
  • ARC continues to Mar 3
    
  • REC continues to Mar 17
  • 6 Nations continues to Mar 17
  • Rugby Europe Trophy continues - Portugal (24) vs Swizerland (31)
    • also from March: Netherlands (29), Czechia (33), Poland (34), Moldova (45)
• March:
  • 17th: Rugby Europe Conf 1 South resumes - Malta (39), Croatia (56), Israel (58), Andorra (67), Bosnia & Herzegovina (74)
    
  • 24th: Rugby Europe Conf 2 South resumes - Slovenia (68), Austria (79), Serbia (84), Cyprus (NR), Slovakia (NR)
• April:
  • 14th: Rugby Europe Conf 2 North resumes - Luxembourg (63), Denmark (83), Norway (96), Finland (98), Estonia (NR)
  • 24th: Asia Rugby Championship Div III West starts - Iran (NR), Lebanon (NR), Qatar (NR)
  • 28th: Asia Rugby Championship Top 3 starts - Hong Kong (22), Korea (32), Malaysia (46)
  • 28th: Rugby Europe Conf 1 North resumes - Lithuania (36), Ukraine (37), Latvia (50), Sweden (60), Hungary (72)

Beyond that, some competitions that usually happen haven't been organized yet. But some things we know:

Africa

• Botswana (66) is still the Africa Silver Cup despite losing it in 2017.
  
• Ivory Coast (51) is removed from the Silver Cup, and is also not in the Bronze Cup. It looks like that test vs Switzerland in February is the only game they'll get this year.
• Zambia (77) is relegated from the Bronze Cup. (which isn't automatic)
  
• Cameroon (100) and Nigeria (73), who failed to organize and withdrew from the Bronze Cup in 2017, are removed. The Bronze Cup will have 2 fewer teams (4 instead of 2 conferences of 3)
  
• Ghana (93) and Lesotho (NR) are promoted to the Bronze Cup.

No Regional Challenge tournaments for 2018 have been announced yet, (12 countries participated in 2017), so it's too early to judge how Rugby Africa is doing

Asia

• Laos (NR) are promoted to the Asia Rugby Championship Div II, despite their only tournament last year being canceled. (No one is relegated from Div II)
  
• In the Div III tournaments, (3 of them this year), 6 teams who were inactive in 2017 are scheduled to participate, as well as another 2 whose tournament last year was canceled. (No promises they will all actually make it to a 2018 tournament though!)
  • Last active in 2016: Guam (71), Jordan (NR)
  • Last active in 2015: Kazakhstan (61), China (87)
  • Last active in 2014: Pakistan (92), Brunei (NR), Mongolia (NR), Qatar (NR)
• Indonesia (97) - who were active in 2016 but withdrew from their 2017 tournament - are now inactive.
• Saudi Arabia (NR) - who were active in 2016 but not in 2017 - have also not returned.

Asia Rugby are recovering well. If things go to plan this year they will have 23 countries in competitions (incl Japan's tests) - back to normal after 3 bad years.
(it was 23 or 24 from 2008-2014, then 18 or 19 in 2015-2017)

 

[bakakumon]

Thanks for the information, Brigantine
It is better to put the reply #12 to the thread 2018 June Internationals - Tier 2 & 3 and change the ***le

 

[Brigantine]

Americas Rugby Championship

• Chile (25) vs Uruguay (17=) - Uruguay are favoured 86%-14%. If Uruguay win they can step above USA in the rankings - but only if they get the 15+ margin bonus, or if USA don't.
  
• Brazil (27) vs USA (17=) - USA is favoured 88%-12%.
  
• Argentina XV (NR) vs Canada (21).

Six Nations

• France (10) vs Italy (14) - France is favoured 96%-4%. If Italy wins, they take enough RP off France to cost them their top 10 status, with Japan benefiting.
  
• Ireland (3) vs Wales (6) - Ireland is favoured 82%-18%. If Wales win big, they get the #3 spot.
  
• Scotland (7) vs England (2) - England is favoured 75%-25%.

Rugby Europe Trophy

• Portugal (24) vs Switzerland (31) - Portugal is favoured 90%-10%. A win by Switzerland would see them ranked above Belgium, and contenders for the Trophy and for promotion.

Coming Soon(ish)

• Next week:
  • Rugby Europe Championship resumes next week
  • Americas Rugby Championship finishes next week
    
  • 6 Nations continues to Mar 17

That Switzerland game will be an interesting one. I don't think they'll win, but hypothetically if they get a bonus point win and deny Portugal both bonus points, new kid on the block Switzerland will lead the table with only 2 games to go - each against a lower ranked opponent they beat last time. (last season was their first ever at this level)

 

[Brigantine]

Americas Rugby Championship (final round)

• Chile (26) vs Canada (21) - Canada is favoured 57%-43%
  
• Uruguay (17) vs USA (18) - Uruguay is favoured 65%-35% (due to home advantage) - If USA win they overtake Romania in the rankings.
  
• Brazil (27) vs Argentina XV

Going into the last round USA leads the table 3 points (and the head to head) ahead of Argentina XV, but Argentina XV has a much easier game.

For the ***le:

• USA needs at least 2 bonus points, in case Argentina XV get a BP win despite the thunderstorms forecast
• Argentina XV needs Uruguay to win, beat Brazil, and then needs to match any BP USA gets
• Uruguay needs a dominant BP win to deny USA either BP... and then they need Brazil to stage an upset.

Rugby Europe Championship

• Georgia (12) vs Spain (19) - Georgia is favoured 100% - If Spain pulls this game off, they'll be a shoo-in for the championship.
  
• Romania (16) vs Russia (20) - Romania is favoured 92%-8%
  
• Belgium (28) vs Germany (25) - Belgium is favoured 59%-41% - The battle to avoid relegation.

If Spain defy all the odds and win this weekend - and then follow up in the easier games vs Germany and Belgium - they will become the European champion for the first time ever (since 1936!). They would becoming only the 6th country to ever do so. (Previous ***les: France 25, Georgia 9, Romania 9, Italy in 1997, Portugal in 2004).

For RWC qualification: (at least to advance to the Portugal play-off)

• Romania only need to deny Russia a BP here - and then a BP win vs Belgium. But they're also playing for the championship and for that they need to win every BP they can get.
  
• Russia OTOH need a dominant BP win this weekend (denying Romania a BP) - and then another BP win in Germany 2 weeks later.
  
• Germany will be eliminated from RWC qualifying unless they get at least a BP draw.

Rugby Europe Trophy

• Netherlands (29) vs Poland (34) - the Netherlands are favoured 80%-20%

Coming Soon(ish)

• Next week:
  • 6 Nations resumes
    
  • REC continues to Mar 17
  • Rugby Europe Trophy continues - Moldova (45) vs Portugal (24) and Czechia (33) vs Switzerland (31)
• Later this month:
  • 17th: Rugby Europe Conf 1 South resumes - Malta (39), Croatia (56), Israel (58), Andorra (67), Bosnia & Herzegovina (74)
    
  • 24th: Rugby Europe Conf 2 South resumes - Slovenia (68), Austria (79), Serbia (84), Cyprus (NR), Slovakia (NR)
• April:
  • 14th: Rugby Europe Conf 2 North resumes - Luxembourg (63), Denmark (83), Norway (96), Finland (98), Estonia (NR)
  • 24th: Asia Rugby Championship Div III West starts - Iran (NR), Lebanon (NR), Qatar (NR)
  • 28th: Asia Rugby Championship Top 3 starts - Hong Kong (22), Korea (32), Malaysia (46)
  • 28th: Rugby Europe Conf 1 North resumes - Lithuania (36), Ukraine (37), Latvia (50), Sweden (60), Hungary (72)