Uruguay are above expectations for 2019. The results achieved on the field conclusively point to progress and they are actively seeing Los Teros being reevaluated as a Tier 2 side in terms of both actual and official status. The URU have been highly strategic in their use of test matches. …
Read More »Best of the Rest
It’s Friday afternoon, which means there’s lots of people sitting at work waiting for the weekend to arrive. Here’s a few rugby articles that might help pass the time, touching on: Scotland’s arrival, a Chilean lock and a couple Canadian ones, Major League Rugby, Argentine rugby development, coaching commentary, and …
Read More »Germany Set to Return to Full Strength for RWC Qualifier
Having been depleted for RWC qualifiers earlier this year Germany is set to Return to full strength for RWC qualifier against Portugal. World Rugby’s disqualification of Romania and Spain sees Russia qualifying for RWC 2019 as Europe 1. The Europe 2 spot will go to the winner of Germany vs …
Read More »Game Over for Romania and Spain
It is game over for Romania and Spain. Both European countries have officially been disqualified from RWC 2019 for breaching player eligibility laws. The Federación Española de Rugby (FER) published a release today on its website confirming the outcome, noting that all channels have now been exhausted, making Spain’s dream …
Read More »Hong Kong Advance in RWC Qualifiers
Hong Kong are Asia 1. This was achieved today by virtue of Hong Kong defeating South Korea. It sees Hong Kong Advancing in the RWC Qualifiers, setting up a play-off against the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands earned the right to face Asia 1 in the Cross-Regional Play-Off after Tahiti …
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 »Samoa named squad for World Cup Qualifiers
Samoa will field a team heavily fortified by top European professionals for their upcoming Pacific Nations Cup and World Cup Qualifying fixtures. Delays caused by the Rugby Europe investigations have seen their schedule heavily altered but are now confirmed. Among the notables named by head coach Dickie Tafua are giant …
Read More »Namibia take top side to World Cup Qualifiers
Namibia head coach Phil Davies is not taking any chances in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, taking his best available side to compete for the Rugby Africa Gold Cup. The winner of the regional competition advances directly to Rugby World Cup 2019 as ‘Africa 1’ while the second-place team will …
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 »