Rugby Europe International Championships 2019-2020

[4N Profile]

The relegation battle got more interesting today. Fixtures the rest of the way... Belgium look to have the toughest road but they do have a couple of bonus points that could be crucial:

Belgium:
Georgia away - Spain home - Romania away

Romania:
Spain home - Russia away - Belgium home

Russia:
Portugal home - Romania home - Georgia away

[victorsra Profile Website]

First ever Belgium win over Russia.

[Chester-Donnelly Profile]

Are Russia and Romania getting worse? I have noticed that both countries have an aging professional rugby population without many younger players coming through to take their places.

[dans Profile]

Are Russia and Romania getting worse? I have noticed that both countries have an aging professional rugby population without many younger players coming through to take their places.

Re: Romania ..there is a bad situation for under age rugby with only some 8 teams at U18 in the 2019-2020 season and 8 teams at U17 in a National competition. Big clubs don't invest as they cannot afford and want results quick...big debate there on how to do it with limited resources.
Lack of progression form U18 to higher levels means very few remain in the sport...The Union have launched some innitiative, trying to rebuild junior Rugby, but it will take time for any changes to go through after years of non-interes and poor strategy.
Elections for FRR are due soon and we'll see if a wind of change does come...
We always play bad in Feb/Mar as we come after 2 months of off-season...in the past the French contingent, than Buchares Wolves franchise who was playing in the European competition was keeping a group of players fit for the new REC season...now almost all are SuperLiga based and a generational change take place...

[NedRugby Profile]

After Portugal beat Belgium the previous weekend I was starting to look forward to a trip to Brussels for the promotion/relegation playoff. I can't afford to fly to Moscow though. Yes, I know NL still has three matches to go but I'm allowed to be optimistic.

[Chester-Donnelly Profile]

After Portugal beat Belgium the previous weekend I was starting to look forward to a trip to Brussels for the promotion/relegation playoff. I can't afford to fly to Moscow though. Yes, I know NL still has three matches to go but I'm allowed to be optimistic.

In your opinion, does Netherlands rugby have the ambition to be in the Rugby Europe Championship? Do your players want to play against top level professionals such as the Georgian pack? They are used to winning most of their matches against amateur opponents.

Personally, I am looking forward to an expanded 8 team REC. I think Netherlands, Belgium and Germany should all be playing at the top level of REIC. I think all of these countries have the potential to one day have professional clubs (maybe playing in a combined league with 2 Dutch clubs, 3 Belgian and 3 German) and to qualify for the World Cup.

[thatrugbyguy Profile]

What the hell did I wake up to?

[welshdragon2000 Profile]

So happy for Portugal and Belgium! The tide seems to be turning from eastern dominance in the competition. It’s worrying for Russia and Romania given the very few young players they have coming through right now. Portugal looked very good today, I’m sure part of that was because Romania made them look good but every time the backs had the ball they looked like something would happen. 12,14,15 were all standouts in the back line. They’re a young side too, could they be a serious contender to qualify for the next World Cup?

[Working Class Rugger Profile]

What the hell did I wake up to?

The benefits of developing solid age grade strcutures.

[Bogdan_DC Profile]

What the hell did I wake up to?

The benefits of developing solid age grade strcutures.

Portugal are having great youth but without French players in their pack probably they have lost yesterday. Same for Belgium&Spain just the ratio is different, Portugal having lot more of their homegrown on the field. I guess is a mix of this two ingredients but your argument is more of why we&Russians are shite not viceversa... The frightening thing about Portugal is they trashed us without players like Moise, Sorti, Bardy or Bettencourt.

[Bogdan_DC Profile]

One rare thing in REC: ref from Portugal vs Romania was really good.Congrats for him. And yes probbaly Portugal scored an illegal try but the assistant was there not him. And still no video ref in this village cup competition!

For my Spanish friends, the Romanian Mafia is strong in those Belgians, they did it again!:)))

[Armchair Fan Profile]

I still think Belgium isn't that good and 95% of what happened yesterday is fault of Russians.

[Armchair Fan Profile]

Changes in the Spanish squad: Linklater as starting 10, Nathan Paila in the bench. Rubio and Usárraga out.

[Canalina Profile]

Rugby Europe streaming page seems not available right now

https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/2019-20-reic ... vs-georgia

[Armchair Fan Profile]

Go to Dailymotion

[Canalina Profile]

Thanks

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x7rfws2

[IanCleverly Profile]

Streaming audience of 1145 (was 437 for Georgia's try in 3rd minute) just as Spain score their opening try. 5-5 at 11mins.

[rey200 Profile]

how many spectators in the stadium, what do you think?

[Armchair Fan Profile]

Back to reality, 5-23 nearing half-time and with an injury list that remembers the test match against Samoa.

We're unrealistic, unlike Lelos. We can't reject three easy points to look for the lineout at this level.

[Thomas Profile]

What's the crowd numbers?

[RugbyPUBtbilisi Profile]

What i have to say about this person who was refereeing Spain vs Georgia... Complete unprofessional.

Good job Spain you guys played well in 2nd half, terrible discipline by Georgia

[Armchair Fan Profile]

FT 10-23

We need to be more realistic

[GeoRugby Profile]

Very solid first half attacking performance and a very good defensive second half performance from Georgia.

[Wolves Profile]

What the hell did I wake up to?

The benefits of developing solid age grade strcutures.

Portugal are having great youth but without French players in their pack probably they have lost yesterday. Same for Belgium&Spain just the ratio is different, Portugal having lot more of their homegrown on the field. I guess is a mix of this two ingredients but your argument is more of why we&Russians are shite not viceversa... The frightening thing about Portugal is they trashed us without players like Moise, Sorti, Bardy or Bettencourt.

Cheers mate

9 portuguese was shite , missed also jose belo or samuel , but agree with you

[4N Profile]

Georgia still in a league of their own. Impressive stuff.