Spain to join Uruguay in Nations Cup

Spain is to join Uruguay in the Nations Cup later this year. This is the case despite Russia having earned the right to compete at the World Rugby organized tournament by finishing third in the European Nations Cup, relegating Portugal in the process.

Russia ultimately finished with 27 competition points to technically seal the spot ahead of Spain. But with Russia having a two test-match series in North America in June it is to be Spain playing instead.

For their part, Spain’s away 17-17 draw against Germany resulted in a fourth place finish while it meant Germany avoided relegation to division 1B.

With a comprehensive second half performance against Romania Georgia were crowned champions, winning 38-9. The Lelos home win in Tbilisi was played in front of a crowd of 52,342 which signifies that there is a market for the Six Nations to expand into.

Georgia are, curiously, ranked ahead of Italy in the World Rankings. The Italians were outplayed today, losing by a record margin against Wales in Cardiff. Georgia will face Samoa, Tonga and Fiji in the South Pacific in June while Romania will host the Nations Cup.

Spain will face Emerging Italy and Romania in Pool B of the tournament. In contrast to the all-European group Pool A consists of two teams from South America and one from southern Africa. The group is to be comprised of the Argentina XV, Uruguay and Namibia.

Fixtures involving the Argentina XV and Emerging Italt will be uncapped with world rankings not on the line for this reason. All matches are to be played in Romania. The complete schedule is as follows:

Date	Fixture	Kick-off
Thursday June 09	Argentina XV vs Spain	4pm
Thursday June 09	Uruguay vs Emerging Italy	6pm
Thursday June 09	Namibia vs Romania	8pm
Monday June 13	Argentina XV vs Emerging Italy	4pm
Monday June 13	Namibia vs Spain	6pm
Monday June 13	Uruguay vs Romania	8pm
Saturday June 18	Uruguay vs Spain	4pm
Saturday June 18	Namibia vs Emerging Italy	6pm
Saturday June 18	Argentina XV vs Romania	8pm