Rugby Europe has today announced the dates of Men XV Rugby Europe Championship, which has been disrupted by the global pandemic.
The Rugby Europe Championship 2021 marks the start of the qualification process for the Rugby World Cup 2023 for the European region. 2021 and 2022 Rugby Europe Championships will offer two direct qualification places for the top two teams in March 2022, with the third-best team going to the final global qualification repechage tournament.
After consultation with the participating Unions and decision from Rugby Europe Board of Directors, the schedule will be as follows:
February 6th/7th: Round 5 of Rugby Europe Championship 2020 (Venues and kick-off times to be confirmed):
o Romania v Belgium
o Georgia v Russia
o Spain v Portugal
February 20th /21th: Play-off match between the lowest-ranked team in the 2020 Rugby Europe Championship and the Netherlands (Rugby Europe Trophy winners).
The five rounds of Rugby Europe Championship 2021 will be played from March 6th/7th and during the World Rugby international window in July 2021
The full schedule of the 2021 Rugby Europe Championship will be announced at the conclusion of the 2020 Rugby Europe Championship.
Following the Rugby World Cup 2023 draw, that was held in Paris yesterday, the top-ranked Championship side (Europe 1) will be placed in Pool C with Wales, Australia, Fiji and the winner of the Global Qualifier.
The runners up of the tournament (Europe 2) will face defending champions South Africa, Ireland, Scotland and Asia/Pacific 1 in Pool B.
See the results and standings of Rugby Europe Competitions at https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/competitions/2019-20-reic-men-xv
