International competition kicked-off today in Europe for 2020. While most eyes were on the Six Nations matches, there were also round one fixtures in the Rugby Europe Championship. Two of the five matches played today were Six Nations fixtures. Wales defeated Italy 42-0 in Cardiff, while Ireland were 19-12 winners over …
Read More »Seattle Seawolves re-sign lock Jérémy Lenaerts
The Seattle Seawolves have secured the signature of second row Jérémy Lenaerts for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. It’s a third consecutive campaign at Starfire Stadium for the 27-year-old Belgian age grade international, who joins returning Brad Tucker and newcomer FP Pelser in Seattle’s engine room. Lenaerts has been …
Read More »Brazil win Core Qualifiers in Hong Kong
Brazil will return as a core team on the 2019-20 HSBC Women’s Sevens Series after claiming victory at the Hong Kong Core Qualifiers. The Yaras won all six of their games against five different opponents to regain their spot on the circuit after a two-year absence. All three pool wins …
Read More »MLR Team of the Week
The results weren’t good for the teams at the bottom of the table, with the separation from the top six already widening. Sunday’s match at San Diego was the pick of the weekend with two quality teams showing their wares. Some new players impressed this week with six players earning …
Read More »Foreign-born players in 2018 Rugby Championship
2018 has been a year to further assess and expose the complexity of World Rugby’s player eligibility laws. Belgium, Romania, Spain, and Tahiti were all disqualified from RWC 2019 for fielding players who were either (a) unknowingly captured by another as was the case regarding Romania and Spain, or (b) …
Read More »Romania and Spain appeals to be heard on June 1
Romania and Spain will appeal their respective RWC disqualification verdicts at a special hearing on Friday, June 1. World Rugby confirmed that both European countries have officially made appeals to overturn the punishments handed down them on May 15. World Rugby appointed an independent Judicial and Disputes committee over the …
Read More »A Spain Appeal – The Case for Common Sense
Belgium, Romania, and Spain are out. That is what we were effectively informed when World Rugby released the findings of the independent Judicial and Disputes Committee into the eligibility breaches during the Rugby Europe Championship. Given all three had been found guilty of fielding ineligible players in matches that doubled …
Read More »Scotland and Wales should have been Disqualified from Past World Cups
Last week’s expulsion of Belgium, Romania, and Spain from World Cup qualification has deep meaning for World Rugby and the Rugby World Cups. Based on that decision both Scotland and Wales should have been disqualified from past World Cups. Belgium, Romania, and Spain were found to have players not meeting eligibility …
Read More »Chile To Face Belgium and Maori All Blacks in November
Chile is to face Belgium and the Maori All Blacks in November. Los Cóndores will play against both teams at home in yet to be determined venues. On November 10 Chile will play host to Belgium in a capped test match. Seven days later the South Americans will play host …
Read More »Romania To Appeal RWC 2019 Decision
Romania is to officially appeal the RWC 2019 decision handed down to them today by World Rugby. The global governing body of rugby disqualified Romania, Belgium and Spain for all feeling ineligible players in qualifying matches. The severe punishments override the prior confirmation that Belgium vs Spain should be replayed. …
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