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Spain’s nightmare has concluded. After being disqualified from Rugby World Cup 2019 qualifying and from Rugby World Cup 2023, Los Leones have earned their spot at Rugby World Cup 2027. The Australia hosted Rugby World Cup will be just the second Men’s Rugby World Cup involving Spain and the first in over a quarter of a century.
The Spanish were debutants at Rugby World Cup 1999. Despite being Wales 1999, Los Leones played all their matches in Scotland. Spain debuted with a loss against Uruguay and subsequently fell to defeats against Scotland and South Africa.
Both Scotland and South Africa will compete at Rugby World Cup 2027 while Uruguay’s qualifying campaign is coming up later on this year. Uruguay’s win over Spain at Rugby World Cup 1999 was followed by wins of Georgia at Rugby World Cup 2003, Fiji at Rugby World Cup 1999 and Namibia at Rugby World Cup 2023.
Uruguay missed out on qualifying for Rugby World Cups 2007 and 2011. The frustration was ended with hard work behind the scenes and the birth of a High Performance Center. Spain had qualified for France 2023 but was replaced by Romania. It added to the nightmare of watching others compete.
Spain’s pathway to Australia 2027 started well. Los Leones were 53-24 winners over the Netherlands. The win came with four tries to Argentine players. Tucumán front-rower Santiago Ovejero and Santa Fe scrum-half Estanislao Bay both scored doubles against the Dutch.
The bonus point win denied the Netherlands points and meant that a win over Switzerland would be sufficient for Los Leones to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2027.
Spain outscored Switzerland by seven tries to one. Tani Bay was again a try scorer as were fellow Argentines Martiniano Cian and Federico Casteglioni. Bay backed-up his double against the Netherlands by also scoring twice against the Swiss. Lucas Santamaría, Ekain Imaz, and Manex Ariceta also scored tries for Spain.
Los Leones are coached by Pablo Bouza. The former Puma played for Argentina from 1997-2006. He played against Romania and Namibia in Australia during Rugby World Cup 2027, scoring four tries. Twenty-four years after playing in Australia, Bouza will be back coaching Spain.
 SPAIN  53-24 NETHERLANDS |
SWITZERLAND 13-43 SPAIN |
