Rugby Europe International Championships

FCIM

Anyone here watch any of this? All matches are available at dailymotion.com/rugbyeurope (similar to YouTube so all legal and above board). Spain are looking like creating a major shock for that level at the moment as they're comfortably ahead in Madrid, and deservedly so, against Romania. If you're prepared that the rugby obviously won't be at Six Nations standard it's entertaining stuff as most teams seem to want to run with ball in hand (though this match is a little more forward dominated - still some bright play from the Spaniards though).

Bridge93

Are there any links to it? Wouldn't mind having a look

Bridge93

Never mind I found it. Looks a great crowd

FCIM

Bridge93 wrote: »

Are there any links to it? Wouldn't mind having a look

http://www.dailymotion.com/rugbyeurope

Spain just gone sixteen up with about twenty to go. Spanish commentators are going nuts.

Bridge93

These two would be likely where the last member of Ireland's World Cup group will come from I think

FCIM

Bridge93 wrote: »

These two would be likely where the last member of Ireland's World Cup group will come from I think

Romania have been incredibly wasteful though Spain have shown some good play in fairness
A good few of their players seem to be very very fast.

I didn't realise there aren't any commentators on the Daily Motion stream. I'm watching it on Spanish TV and they're very excited. It'd be only the third time Spain have beaten Romania in 36 matches.

FCIM

Fantastic to see how much it means to them. In the bigger rugby countries like we're from we don't often recognise how important the sport is for the minorities who follow it in countries like Spain. Massive pitch invasion now.

FCIM

Stadium holds 12,400. Looked pretty full which is a great crowd for the level (though Georgia frequently pull in more than 50,000 for their matches against Russia). The second Spanish try was a complete mess up by the Romanian forward on the line who kicked it away from his own hands leaving an easy tap down for Spain. That said Spain thoroughly deserved the win.

FCIM

Bridge93 wrote: »

These two would be likely where the last member of Ireland's World Cup group will come from I think

How does qualification work? A Spanish player was interviewed afterwards and was talking about world cup qualification but my ability to speak Italian only allows me to get the idea of what Spanish people are talking about and not the details. Are they qualified following this win?

Bridge93

Mun understanding of it is that the winner of the competition qualifies as Europes representative for the World Cup

FCIM

Bridge93 wrote: »

Mun understanding of it is that the winner of the competition qualifies as Europes representative for the World Cup

So as Georgia have already qualified it'll go to second place if they, as is now likely, win it.

Bridge93

FCIM wrote: »

So as Georgia have already qualified it'll go to second place if they, as is now likely, win it.

Yeah that's it

FCIM

Bridge93 wrote: »

Yeah that's it

Having beaten Russia and Romania you'd have to think Spain have a very strong chance. Georgia host both Spain and Romania so you'd have to think they'll win those and then it's a shootout for the runners up spot which Spain have to have an advantage in now. Be a strange World Cup not to see Romania there as one of the tier 2 nations but Spain have only qualified once before so that would be a novelty.

The Lost Sheep

FCIM wrote: »

Anyone here watch any of this? All matches are available at dailymotion.com/rugbyeurope (similar to YouTube so all legal and above board). Spain are looking like creating a major shock for that level at the moment as they're comfortably ahead in Madrid, and deservedly so, against Romania. If you're prepared that the rugby obviously won't be at Six Nations standard it's entertaining stuff as most teams seem to want to run with ball in hand (though this match is a little more forward dominated - still some bright play from the Spaniards though).

Spanish have been improving and getting closer to Romanians in past few years.

FCIM wrote: »

How does qualification work? A Spanish player was interviewed afterwards and was talking about world cup qualification but my ability to speak Italian only allows me to get the idea of what Spanish people are talking about and not the details. Are they qualified following this win?

2nd qualifys as european 1. Georgia already have qualified.

FCIM wrote: »

Having beaten Russia and Romania you'd have to think Spain have a very strong chance. Georgia host both Spain and Romania so you'd have to think they'll win those and then it's a shootout for the runners up spot which Spain have to have an advantage in now. Be a strange World Cup not to see Romania there as one of the tier 2 nations but Spain have only qualified once before so that would be a novelty.

Would be good to see Spanish back in world cup. Having been to spain with a rugby team. The standard amongst teams there is quite high but numbers playing arent very high...

chupacabra

Jaysus I see Estonia got absolutely battered by Luxembourg. I think i'll head to their home games. Most of the team drink in a bar I frequent in Tallinn.

Guy:Incognito

chupacabra wrote: »

Most of the team drink in a bar I frequent in Tallinn.

Maybe that's their issue


As for the winners, I know nothing of rugby in Luxembourg, are they all expats or what's the deal?

My dream of rocking up and getting a German cap ( German mother and passport so have legit claim ) are on gold as I believe they have a load of British lads playing that are of a higher standard to me . Bloody foreigners

Elirlandes

FCIM wrote: »

Having beaten Russia and Romania you'd have to think Spain have a very strong chance. Georgia host both Spain and Romania so you'd have to think they'll win those and then it's a shootout for the runners up spot which Spain have to have an advantage in now. Be a strange World Cup not to see Romania there as one of the tier 2 nations but Spain have only qualified once before so that would be a novelty.

Spain are in the driving seat now. With Georgia already qualified, the best in the Rugby Europe International Championship top division not including Georgia go through.

This has been coming. Last year, Spain beat Russia at home and held Romania close at home. These are the best 3 teams after Georgia in the league.

After last year, the Spanish Federation made a change in selection policy, looking to Spain Qualified players in France (grandfather/parent rule). This was controversial in Spain, but is reaping big benefits as 10 to 12 players on the side are now either in Top14 clubs (but not 1st team players) or are 1st team players in D2.

In the Autumn Internationals, our club (Rugby Club Málaga) organised the Spain/Uruguay game in Málaga with 13,000+ spectators - Spain won 33-16.

Spain beat Russia away last week in Krasnoyarsk - Irish refs by the way, and Russia captained by Blackrock old boy Vasily Artemyev. The match against Romania was the big one though. In something like 35 matches, Spain has only beaten Romania twice before, and only once in living memory.

With this win, Spain is 2 points ahead of Romania with only Germany and Belgium to beat. This means that Romania has to hope Spain scores no bonus points, and Romania gets bonus points from the remaining fixtures.

Given Germany have suffered a huge drop in form from last year where they beat Romania, to this year where they lost 85-6 (dunno why), and Belgium aren't any better, it is very very very unlikely that Spain will not do the business by beating both with bonus points. Bonus points in this competition are different - you have to score 3 more tries than your opponents, it is not a 4 try bonus point.

So - Spain can pretty much buy their tickets to Japan already, and it looks like I am going to have to do so as well as my to Spanish/Irish sons want to see the Ireland : Spain match live. Spain will be in our group. They may even have a chance to win a game as there will be another weak side there - the Repechage winner.

The Lost Sheep

This weekends games: Georgia v Spain, Romania v Russia, Belgium v Germany

Its 1st v 2nd, 4th v 3rd, 5th v 6th this weekend.

The Lost Sheep

Georgia 23 Spain 10
Romania 25 Russia 15
Belgium 69 Germany 15

Georgia lead on 14 points, Romania up to second on 9, Spain 8, Russia 6, Belgium 5 and Germany 0

Next week its Romania v Belgium, Spain v Germany and Russia v Georgia

Eod100

I haven't really being following this. Have Romania played their last game as of yesterday?

Only table I see is on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Europe_qualification

Don't see any on official site for some reason: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/europe/fixtures

P_1

Eod100 wrote: »

I haven't really being following this. Have Romania played their last game as of yesterday?

Only table I see is on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Europe_qualification

Don't see any on official site for some reason: https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/europe/fixtures

As far as I know they exclude matches against Georgia for qualification purposes. Maybe Romania play Georgia in the next round so their table is run as far as qualifying goes.

EDIT: Georgia v Romania is next for them. Table is here: https://www.flashscores.co.uk/standings/lbOgC6zb/2cIlfozr/#table;overall

Eod100

I think that's it! Spain hammered Germany today too so looking like they could be in our pool.

Cosmo Kramer

Anyone tune in today? Spain lost to Belgium 18-10 and blew their best chance of getting to the WRC. Some very suspect decisions from the Romanian officials in charge, especially as it is Romania who now qualify instead of Spain.

The referee was followed off the field by the Spanish players as the stream ended and looked very concerned for his own safety. I don't blame him as I genuinely thought one of the Spanish players was about to deck him at one point.

Very poor form from World Rugby having Romanian officials for this game, there was always going to be the opportunity for a stitch up in the circumstances.

Rigor Mortis

Alain Roland has had a very bad week.

ScrubsfanChris

Spain can still qualify for the RWC but will need to beat Portugal and then better Samoa home and away. Thats probably too much of an ask.

FCIM

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Anyone tune in today? Spain lost to Belgium 18-10 and blew their best chance of getting to the WRC. Some very suspect decisions from the Romanian officials in charge, especially as it is Romania who now qualify instead of Spain.

The referee was followed off the field by the Spanish players as the stream ended and looked very concerned for his own safety. I don't blame him as I genuinely thought one of the Spanish players was about to deck him at one point.

Very poor form from World Rugby having Romanian officials for this game, there was always going to be the opportunity for a stitch up in the circumstances.

Scandalous really. I remember thinking it was massively dodgy in 2011 when Alain Rolland, Irish by birth but with a French father, refereed our semi final with France. Sam Warburton may have been justly or unjustly sent off, ask a Welshman and they'll tell you he shouldn't have been, ask a Frenchman and I'm sure they would say the opposite, but the fact it was a debatable decision and what is effectively a Frenchman took the decision to send him off means Monsieur Rolland will never be popular in Wales.

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Spain can still qualify for the RWC but will need to beat Portugal and then better Samoa home and away. Thats probably too much of an ask.

The first part of that they'll accomplish, the second part I can't see them having a chance tbh.

Cosmo Kramer

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Spain can still qualify for the RWC but will need to beat Portugal and then better Samoa home and away. Thats probably too much of an ask.

I think that's that for them now, Samoa should be too strong, they ran Scotland close in November. Hopefully Vlad Iordăchescu makes it back to Bucharest in one piece, his Wikipedia page is getting some treatment from the Spanish supporters.

FCIM

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

I think that's that for them now, Samoa should be too strong, they ran Scotland close in November. Hopefully Vlad Iordăchescu makes it back to Bucharest in one piece, his Wikipedia page is getting some treatment from the Spanish supporters.

Lol.

P_1

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Spain can still qualify for the RWC but will need to beat Portugal and then better Samoa home and away. Thats probably too much of an ask.

Think they get another chance if they lose to Samoa in a tournament involving Canada

The Lost Sheep

P_1 wrote: »

Think they get another chance if they lose to Samoa in a tournament involving Canada

Yep and an african side as well as Tahiti/Asian side

titan18

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

I think that's that for them now, Samoa should be too strong, they ran Scotland close in November. Hopefully Vlad Iordăchescu makes it back to Bucharest in one piece, his Wikipedia page is getting some treatment from the Spanish supporters.

Even after that though, they'll go into repechage with Canada, runner up of African qualification and an one of Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia or Tahiti (assume Hong Kong here). They'd have a very good chance of getting out of that, probably be between them and Canada.

Cosmo Kramer

titan18 wrote: »

Even after that though, they'll go into repechage with Canada, runner up of African qualification and an one of Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia or Tahiti (assume Hong Kong here). They'd have a very good chance of getting out of that, probably be between them and Canada.

Good point, I didnt realise they still had two chances. Wouldn't think there would be much between them and Canada, who are going very poorly these days.

cunavalos

In general the level of officiating has been very poor in this competition. Spain actually benefitted from a horrendous (non)decision in one of the earlier rounds against russia when no official spotted the grounding of a russian try in the last minute

TheAnalyst_

A lot of Spanish fans going nuts about the ref thing. Did they not make an official protest before the game.

I watched it as someone looking forward to Spain in the world cup and they were far inferior to Belgium. I'm not sure what difference a properly neutral ref would make.

irishbucsfan

Yes, they did make an official protest before the game.

Cosmo Kramer

Here is the incident at the end of the game. At 1:30 in the video I actually thought the angry Spanish player was approaching the referee as though he was going to strike him. In the end they got him out the gate into the car park unscathed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTcyamiYv8g

racso1975

Cosmo Kramer wrote: »

Very poor form from World Rugby having Romanian officials for this game, there was always going to be the opportunity for a stitch up in the circumstances.

Just to clarify it's Europe Rugby that oversee this competition. Just to highlight their chairperson is Romanian. Spain appealed during week but were denied. I feel world rugby should be over seeing these matches given the winners enter their competition

Galego

The penalty count was something like 28-8 in favour of Belgium. Mad stuff no matter from what angle you look at it.

Stephen Hawkins football boots

Penalty count was 18-8 which although slightly lopsided is still possible.The actions of Spanish players after the game should see them cop lengthy suspensions and rightly so

Galego

Stephen Hawkins football boots wrote: »

Penalty count was 18-8 which although slightly lopsided is still possible.The actions of Spanish players after the game should see them cop lengthy suspensions and rightly so

It was actually 28-5 when you watch the game and count them. And yes hopefully they kick Spain out of the competition and send Russia to play the play offs.

https://rugbyonslaught.com/footage-video-28-5-penalty-count-enraged-spanish-rugby/

prawnsambo

Galego wrote: »

It was actually 28-5 when you watch the game and count them. And yes hopefully they kick Spain out of the competition and send Russia to play the play offs.

https://rugbyonslaught.com/footage-video-28-5-penalty-count-enraged-spanish-rugby/

Why should they kick Spain out? A few players went after the ref and one (or maybe two) actually laid hands on him. That's on them, not on Spanish rugby.

Galego

prawnsambo wrote: »

Why should they kick Spain out? A few players went after the ref and one (or maybe two) actually laid hands on him. That's on them, not on Spanish rugby.

Yes true. I just thought the whole thing was embarrassing and very scoccer like....

thebaz

as Ireland celebrate being European champions , amazes me how the level below seams so amateurish - we have GAA competing with rugby , just wonder why teams like Germany , Sweden or Russia can not produce serious top level teams to compete at 6 Nations - Italy look to be head and shoulders above the best of the rest - this Spanish Romania fiasco just sums up the level below.

Rigor Mortis

Stephen Hawkins football boots wrote: »

Penalty count was 18-8 which although slightly lopsided is still possible.The actions of Spanish players after the game should see them cop lengthy suspensions and rightly so

I watched 20 minutes, Spain were beasting Belgium up front. Its very hard to imagine that there was a +10 penalty count to Belgium.

prawnsambo

thebaz wrote: »

as Ireland celebrate being European champions , amazes me how the level below seams so amateurish - we have GAA competing with rugby , just wonder why teams like Germany , Sweden or Russia can not produce serious top level teams to compete at 6 Nations - Italy look to be head and shoulders above the best of the rest - this Spanish Romania fiasco just sums up the level below.

And it puts into context where Italy really stands. Way above that level.

The Lost Sheep

thebaz wrote: »

as Ireland celebrate being European champions , amazes me how the level below seems so amateurish - we have GAA competing with rugby, just wonder why teams like Germany, Sweden or Russia can not produce serious top level teams to compete at 6 Nations - Italy look to be head and shoulders above the best of the rest - this Spanish Romania fiasco just sums up the level below.

I dont think this incident sums up this level at all but of course doesnt look good at all.

prawnsambo wrote: »

And it puts into context where Italy really stands. Way above that level.

Not really when they havent faced Georgia ever really. Who would be their best challengers by far

Squidgy Black

thebaz wrote: »

as Ireland celebrate being European champions , amazes me how the level below seams so amateurish - we have GAA competing with rugby , just wonder why teams like Germany , Sweden or Russia can not produce serious top level teams to compete at 6 Nations - Italy look to be head and shoulders above the best of the rest - this Spanish Romania fiasco just sums up the level below.

Soccer is huge in those countries, rugby isn't really popular at all.

thebaz

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I dont think this incident sums up this level at all but of course doesnt look good at all.

When you look at how professional the whole Twickenham game was played out -

against the level below , where you have a referee (who really shouldn't have been officiating) accosted off the field - seams a dramatic shift in standards - no doubt you will just disagree with me (as usual).

prawnsambo

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Not really when they havent faced Georgia ever really. Who would be their best challengers by far

Yes really. Georgia's last five opponents were Belgium, Germany, Spain, Russia and Romania. They are above those opponents really, but not so much that they didn't exactly trash Spain a couple of weeks ago. The same Spain that featured in that video.

That's where the rankings fall down really. If Italy were playing that kind of opposition regularly, they'd be clocking up ranking points every year with very little fear of losing any.

The Lost Sheep

thebaz wrote: »

When you look at how professional the whole Twickenham game was played out -

against the level below , where you have a referee (who really shouldn't have been officiating) accosted off the field - seams a dramatic shift in standards - no doubt you will just disagree with me (as usual).

:rolleyes:
Its a discussion forum. People wont always have the same opinion and thank god for that
Considering the circumstances i can see why the ref was accosted. Doesnt make it right and the ref should never have been selected/change made once it was known that this game was going to be this important.

The Lost Sheep

prawnsambo wrote: »

Yes really. Georgia's last five opponents were Belgium, Germany, Spain, Russia and Romania. They are above those opponents really, but not so much that they didn't exactly trash Spain a couple of weeks ago. The same Spain that featured in that video.

That's where the rankings fall down really. If Italy were playing that kind of opposition regularly, they'd be clocking up ranking points every year with very little fear of losing any.

They have won the ENC every year bar 2 since 2006. They completely deserve a shot at playing Italy and other 6 nations sides and especially Italy to see if theyre ready to step up to the higher level.