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Tries from Martiniano Cian and Estanislao Bay helped Spain to a 27-5 win over Germany on Sunday. The win sees the Pablo Bouza coached Spain unbeaten after two rounds of the 2024 Rugby Europe Championship. Bouza is a former Puma while Cian and Bay are also from Argentina.
Martiniano Cian opened the scoring for Los Leones. His 5th minute score saw him splitting open the German defense to run in from a lineout. Estanislao Bay chased through a kick from Alberto Carmona and had the pace to touch down in the try zone.
Cian comes from the Tilcara de Paraná club while Bay is a product of CRAI in Santa Fé. Other Argentines played in the match for Los Leones. Joaquín Domínguez started at tight head prop, Bautista Güemes was fly half and Iñaki Mateu outside center. Hooker Tomás Domínguez and winger Federico Casteglioni were replacements.
Spain’s 27-5 win over Germany follows a hard-fought 20-18 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Cian was also a try scorer in that match. The comings results mean Bouza’s team is tied for top spot in Pool A of the 2024 Rugby Europe Championship.
Bouza’s team are in Pool A with Germany, Georgia and the Netherlands. Pool B consists of Belgium, Poland Portugal, and Romania. The winner of Pool A will face the Pool B Runner-Up in one Semi Final while the Winner of Pool B will face the Pool A Runner-Up in the other.
Spain have now sealed a spot in the Semi Finals. Los Leones will face one of Romania, Portugal or Belgium. Poland are winless after two matches and cannot catch-up. Spain are now preparing for their final pool match which will be against Georgia at Avchala Stadium on Friday, February 16.
Los Leones are eyeing a return to the World Cup after 28 years. Los Leones debut in 1999 remains the only appearance on the grandest stage. Expansion to 24 teams means greater opportunities. Spain did qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 on the field but World Rugby disqualified Spain off the field.
Bouza has World Cup playing experience and is tasked with seeing Spain return. As a Puma, Bouza earned 37 test caps for Argentina from 1996-2007. He played both second-row and N8 and scored four tries at RWC 2003. He was also a profesional rugby in England for the Harlequins and Leeds.
It is important to point out that the Rugby Europe Championship is entirely separate from the Six Nations. There is no promotion or relegation between the competitions. However, there is promotion and relegation within the Rugby Europe Championship. Four of the eight teams in the top division have played in past Rugby World Cups.
