Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Spain will play host to a special competition in November. Los Leones will be the home team in a Four Nations series that will also involve Brazil, Canada and the USA. The end-of-year series will provide notable competition for all four.
The four countries all missed out on places at Rugby World Cup 2023. Brazil defeated Paraguay but was eliminated after losing qualifying matches against Uruguay and Chile. Canada and the USA exchanged wins before the former was eliminated by Chile and the latter lost to Uruguay.
The outcome of the Americas qualifiers saw South America having three teams qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023. This was a first. Another first came after the USA competed to a draw against Portugal to miss out on a place at the World Cup by the narrowest of margins. RWC 2023 is the first Men’s tournament without a North American competitor.
Portugal’s involvement came following a controversy. Spain qualified for Rugby World Cup 2023 but World Rugby disqualified Spain for breaching player eligibility laws. Meanwhile, powerful unions are busy recruiting players capped by other countries; all under the watch and with the blessing of World Rugby.
Dates and venues for the Four Nations are yet to be finalized. However, the games will be played in Spain. The series marks a continuation of Spain’s growing relationship with the Americas. Spain will play host to Argentina in Madrid in a Rugby World Cup warm-up in August.
Increased relations between the regions and Spain vs Argentina is what rugby needs so badly. Spain and Brazil are key words connected to growing the sport and expanding the World Cup to 24-teams. Both alongside Canada and the USA could be participants in an expanded World Cup for 2027.
