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With the Rugby Europe Championships coming to a close, all eyes are on 2 key games this weekend.
Spain find themselves on the brink of history, having not won the REC since their only title in 1996. Is this their time, alongside their return to the RWC?
Georgia will be looking for a 8th straight title and looking to close the gap in the Rankings to Italy as another scalp in their hunt for 6 nations entry.
The Netherlands host a Belgium side in the hunt for the 5th place qualification. 5th spot will secure a further qualification chance to enter the RWC 2027 fold.
Romania and Portugal face off in Lisbon in a dead rubber match to save face for what both will class as an below standard tournament.
Germany will be looking to put the final knife into Switzerland and end the tournament with a victory at the 5th time of trying this tournament.
The Netherlands have home advantage and look to finally have found the right mixture in their squad to play an exciting brand of winning rugby. Belgium have coasted through the rest of the tournament so far after putting on a inspiring display against Portugal in the opening game of the tournament. With the importance of this game, you will expect a bit of a cagey affair. But the Dutch will be looking for a fast start against Belgium and really put the pressure on them. Belgium will have to keep the penalty count down as that has been a big Achilles heel for them this tournament. Both teams had a few injuries throughout the rounds but look to be back to near full strength for the critical clash.
My prediction is a Netherlands win by 10 points.
Well, where do you start with these 2 teams? Both teams have had really poor tournaments, Germany have struggled with discipline and rotated the teams on a regular occasion in the hope of finding the winning formula. Switzerland have really struggled with the step up in level, but got stronger as the tournament has progressed. But will be really worried about falling back down to the Rugby Europe Trophy next season, if they can’t find a serious improvement over the summer period and into the next tournament.
Germany will expect a big victory to show their class at this level, and that the tournament has just been a blip in their progression. Many games have slipped away from them due to their ill discipline, but glimpses have shone through on what they are capable of. Switzerland will have a uphill battle against a German side wanting to make a real point in this game.
My prediction is a Germany win by 50 points.
With the memories of the Battle in Madrid from a month ago, both teams will be looking to settle some scores but without the cards and penalty count.
Spain will be full of confidence after scoring 32 points against Georgia in Madrid and putting 42 points past Portugal in Lisbon. They know how to score, but can they fix the defensive gaps that Georgia will undoubtedly exploit. Sunday will need a true defensive masterclass from Spain to stop the Georgian onslaught that will descend upon them when Georgia go in hunt of their 8th straight title.
Georgia will have to put their discipline issues from the Madrid tie to one side, if they want to avoid any chance of a upset. But they surely have the class and players to see the tie out in their own back yard.
My heart is saying a Spain win for the country, I reside and play rugby in. But my head is saying a Georgian win by 17 points, late on.
Both teams will be the first to admit, that this tournament has been a bit of a rebuild of their Rugby structure. However, they probably didn’t expect to find themselves playing each other in the 3rd place play off. However, they get to battle it out again in the amazing Estadio Nacional in Jamor, for which I can say is probably one of the best places I have been to see rugby played. What a stadium, back drop and steeped in history.
Romania are lucky how the draw has gone for the tournament and they managed to qualify after Belgium and Germany didn’t convert their performances into results. RWC qualification was probably a fore gone conclusion for them but another 4th place finish will not inspire them in progression of the game.
Portugal will be reeling at thinking the job was done against Spain and missing out on another final and shot at Georgia.
My Prediction is Portugal win by 35 points.
