This weekend sees the start of the 2026 Rugby European Championship. Here is the schedule: 28 March: Spain v Belgium, Madrid Netherlands v Portugal, Amsterdam 11 April: Portugal v Spain, Oeiras Belgium v Netherlands, Dendemonde 18 April: Netherlands v Spain, Amsterdam Belgium v Portugal, Dendermonde This brief schedule reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the
The REC got under way at the end of last month, Spain beating Portugal away from home 19-7. On 6 April Las Leonas beat Sweden 69-0. There we see all too clearly the hard job Rugby Europe has finding the best way to organise its member teams. It wants to provide chances for everyone, but
As we approach the annual excitement of the Six Nations (the men this weekend; the women at the end of March), let’s focus on the nearest equivalent to it, the European Championship, which is to start on 11 February. The elite league consists of just three nations, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, Sweden replacing Russia from
The England Women’s sevens squad for this weekend’s Rugby Europe Sevens Trophy Series in Budapest have been announced (17-19 June and live on www.rugbyeurope.tv). Fresh from their tournament victory in Zagreb last weekend, England women kick off proceedings on Friday (17 June) and face Finland, Georgia and Israel in Pool A. Head coach James
Much the most positive news this week comes from Rugby Europe. They announce that the two outstanding international matches to decide the winners of the Rugby Europe qualifiers for the 2021 World Cup will take place as follows: Spain v Russia (20 February), and Spain v The Netherlands (28 February); both games to take place
James Bailey has named his 12-player squad for the opening round of the 2018 Rugby Europe Women’s Sevens Grand Prix Series in Marcoussis, France on 29-30 June. The tournament, which will be live streamed on RugbyEurope.tv, is the first of two competitions that make up the European series, culminating in Kazan, Russia in September. Natasha
An England Women U18 sevens squad who represented Great Britain U18 were beaten 22-0 by France in the final of Rugby Europe U18 Championship in Vichy. The tournament also doubled up as a Youth Olympic qualifier. A total of 16 teams competed in the qualifier, with France securing a place at the Youth Olympic Games
James Bailey has named his side for the first leg of the Rugby Europe Women’s Grand Prix Series which kicks off in Malemort, France this weekend (17 – 18 June). With Abbie Brown unavailable through injury (hamstring), the squad includes uncapped England Sevens development player Olivia Jones. Bristol second row Jones has represented England U20
England will field three returning Olympians in the final round of the Rugby Europe Grand Prix Sevens Series this weekend in Malemort, France. Abbie Brown, Katy Mclean and Amy Wilson Hardy, who captains the squad, return to England Sevens following the Rio Olympics in August. The side will also feature a number of new names. Lotte Clapp,
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