Rugby Europe Championship & Trophy 2022

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

That is one of the main flaws at this level. Being greedy near the line and being held up instead of recycling. Romania did the same yesterday. FFS Georgia. Hanging by a thread here.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Come on Portugal yuuuuup!

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Portugal have raise their game and settled down. Georgia desperately need a bit of composure and they can pull this out of the fire.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Even the losing BP would be quite good for Portugal, never mind a draw or win.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'd love to see Portugal at the world cup. Love the country so much.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

An intense finale. Well played by Portugal and not entirely unexpected given them pushing Japan so hard.

I think Russia are still mathematically still in it, but barely, they may even need a winning BP against Spain next week and there is little chance of that (especially with Covid in the Russian camp).

If Romania have Covid in their camp then Portugal will be my slight favourites in Bucharest next weekend despite the good Romanian maul.

Georgia slip to 13th (behind Samoa), Portugal up 3 to 17th.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

It depends on the format.

If we get a 7 weeks round-robin format, we (Spain) could use that extra two games (plus the one against the Netherlands) to provide game time for our homegrown youngsters and to try out and cap more somewhat fringe French players to develop depth (the likes of Brice Ferrer, of Nationale, or even some young Federale 1 players).

If we are going to have two groups of 4 teams and we get stuck with Portugal, the Netherlands and Belgium in the western, we will miss playing against Georgians, Romanians and Russian regularly. It would be almost as being demoted to the Trophy.

One problem I see with the expansion is that due to the excellent San Francisco agreement there is potential for two European sides, based on world ranking, to get regular Tier1 fixtures in the international windows. So fielding experimental sides is probably too risky for a union as if their ranking takes a hit they will lose revenue and the chance to develop.

I do not know if it is possible to say, "if you are more than 10 spots in the world rankings ahead of your opponent at the start of the tournament you may field an 'A' side". This is the only solution I can think of for an expanded REC to not hold back development in Rugby Europe.

For me the priority of the REC is to close the gap to Tier1 and this expansion will go against that if it, as you fear, limits the exposure of the likes of Spain to the stronger Tier2 sides in Europe who also have fully professional or semi-professional international squads.

 

[Ainsthrilln]

One problem I see with the expansion is that due to the excellent San Francisco agreement there is potential for two European sides, based on world ranking, to get regular Tier1 fixtures in the international windows. So fielding experimental sides is probably too risky for a union as if their ranking takes a hit they will lose revenue and the chance to develop.

I do not know if it is possible to say, "if you are more than 10 spots in the world rankings ahead of your opponent at the start of the tournament you may field an 'A' side". This is the only solution I can think of for an expanded REC to not hold back development in Rugby Europe.

For me the priority of the REC is to close the gap to Tier1 and this expansion will go against that if it, as you fear, limits the exposure of the likes of Spain to the stronger Tier2 sides in Europe who also have fully professional or semi-professional international squads.

After the draw in the GEO vs POR is risky to say it, but if we weren't needing both the bonus point for sure and getting game time as a group for the next three battles, Spain could have exchanged some French pros with homegrown players against The Netherlands without risking the victory.

The current level between Spain and the Netherlands is as far as between Georgia and Spain, if not more. And it should be the same with Belgium (once Little Haysel has been demolished) and Poland (or a post-Wild Germany).

I think we could field half a team of second string players without real risk of defeat, as Georgia does with us or the rest of the teams do against Italy.

But we can't afford stopping to play regularly against Eastern Europe sides, as they are our main "rivals".

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

After the draw in the GEO vs POR is risky to say it, but if we weren't needing both the bonus point for sure and getting game time as a group for the next three battles, Spain could have exchanged some French pros with homegrown players against The Netherlands without risking the victory.

The current level between Spain and the Netherlands is as far as between Georgia and Spain, if not more. And it should be the same with Belgium (once Little Haysel has been demolished) and Poland (or a post-Wild Germany).

I think we could field half a team of second string players without real risk of defeat, as Georgia does with us or the rest of the teams do against Italy.

But we can't afford stopping to play regularly against Eastern Europe sides, as they are our main "rivals".

I'd agree with that analysis but strange things can happen, like Delta almost beating Iberians. It would be a brave man in the union who took that decision. The Georgian coach and union will be being dragged over hot coals tonight for a less than full strength selection against Portugal and the near disaster it caused.

 

[Ainsthrilln]

I'd agree with that analysis but strange things can happen, like Delta almost beating Iberians. It would be a brave man in the union who took that decision. The Georgian coach and union will be being dragged over hot coals tonight for a less than full strength selection against Portugal and the near disaster it caused.

The difference is that the REIC is not owned by the 6 unions pariticipating it, but by Rugby Europe.

Spain doesn't even have a voice at Rugby Europe's Board of Directors, so what we think about the future of the REIC doesn't matter.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

The difference is that the REIC is not owned by the 6 unions pariticipating it, but by Rugby Europe.

Spain doesn't even have a voice at Rugby Europe's Board of Directors, so what we think about the future of the REIC doesn't matter.

My conspiracy theory is that RE are seeking to get decent markets like Germany, Belgium, Desutchland or Germany promoted to the top flight, because this will make the competition potentially more marketable to sponsors.

As much as the REC has decent competitiveness there has been little progress on marketability with the 6 or 7 nations that have featured in recent years. I'm not even convinced promotion will occur if both Belgium and Germany miss out on the top 2 as RE only seem to be saying this behind closed doors rather than out in the open.

 

[Ainsthrilln]

My conspiracy theory is that RE are seeking to get decent markets like Germany, Belgium, Desutchland or Germany promoted to the top flight, because this will make the competition potentially more marketable to sponsors.

As much as the REC has decent competitiveness there has been little progress on marketability with the 6 or 7 nations that have featured in recent years. I'm not even convinced promotion will occur if both Belgium and Germany miss out on the top 2 as RE only seem to be saying this behind closed doors rather than out in the open.

The problem with that is that Germany, without Wild's money and the South African players (coming with it) is even way worse than us without the French players, and that Germany doesn't care much about rugby.

The don't usually get crowds for the NT, and I believe rugby is even below American Football in popularity there.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

The problem with that is that Germany, without Wild's money and the South African players (coming with it) is even way worse than us without the French players, and that Germany doesn't care much about rugby.

The don't usually get crowds for the NT, and I believe rugby is even below American Football in popularity there.

I know the reality isn't great with Germany but I'm pretty sure they were getting upwards of 3,500 in attendance in the Wild years. I suspect sponsors would find an REC with a poor Germany more attractive than an REC with a strong Lithuania filling their stadium for example.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

This weekends fixtures (excluding Netherlands) are mouthwatering.

Russia must beat Spain, possibly with a bonus point, or they are eliminated. They really need to go all out for a big win, which may cost them.

The pick though is Romania hosting Portugal, with the winner having one foot in the RWC auto-qualification door. I picked Portugal to finish 2nd overall for RWC qualifying based on paper (due to their point scoring ability leading to bonus points), but with them playing away to their rivals in Romania and Spain the schedule had me think Romania again. Now with Portugal's excellent draw in Tblisi again I favour them slightly in this match and, potentially, for the entire REC (injuries permitting).

All matches streamed live at the link below by registering and clicking on 'match details'.

Rugby Europe Championship 2022

The Rugby Europe Championship 2022 will take place during February and March.

www.rugbyeurope.eu

 

[Yulia]

Russia must beat Spain, possibly with a bonus point, or they are eliminated. They really need to go all out for a big win, which may cost them.

This will be match of the year. I'll be very nervous

The pick though is Romania hosting Portugal, with the winner having one foot in the RWC auto-qualification door.

Also should be interesting to watch. I'm for Portugal

I picked Portugal to finish 2nd overall for RWC qualifying based on paper (due to their point scoring ability leading to bonus points), but with them playing away to their rivals in Romania and Spain the schedule had me think Romania again.

Me too, I think Portugal will take part in this RWC..

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Belgium awarded a walkover victory over Ukraine in the Trophy due to Covid in the Ukraine camp.

Belgium v Ukraine - Cancelled

The Rugby Europe Trophy fixture betweeb Belgium and Ukraine has been cancelled

www.rugbyeurope.eu

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Reports that a Spanish player left the squad in a sulk because he was only going to be selected as a sub. Not a great sign if true. I like what I saw from Russia last week in terms of energy and effort (albeit they didn't offer a whole lot of attacking play) so despite them still being in semi-winter hibernation, and likely playing infront of few people in Sochi.

Russia by 3 (no BP).

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

There are a lot of nerves with Romanian fans around this match. A lack of confidence given the huge improvement in Portugal. Portugal have named a strong side filled with French based players.

Romania's young flyhalf Boldor (who I have liked since be was 18, but didn't like so much last week) is dropped from the squad. Presumably with Covid or injury. The older but more inconsistent Plai comes in with the same less experienced scrum half. The backs for Romania are good though and Plai loves a cross kick if he is allowed to play freely. Plus I'd favour the Romanian scrum and maul.

I think the 30% crowd limit will be decisive though, so Portugal by 6.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Our absent Romanian @amz found these Irish lads online previewing REC matches. I genuinely think there is more informed analysis in these videos than in UK 6N coverage. Their interpretation of the strengths and weaknesses of each side is pretty spot on to my mind. Definitely worth a listen.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Russia vs Spain streaming shortly.

Russia v Spain

Russia host Spain in the Rugby Europe Championship 2022

www.rugbyeurope.eu