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Romania could not make "Top 3" for very first time ever, due to inferior points difference in head-to-head games with Soviet Union and Italy.
As it was initially agreed, Division 1 would be shrunk to 5 teams for next edition. That's why Spain and Tunisia which finished as 5th and 6th, were relegated and replaced by Portugal which won the Second Division and got promoted.
Subsequently, at FIRA Annual Congress, held in mid-June, it was decided to continue with 6 teams, and the two relegated teams met for a barrage game at neutral venue to decide the survivor, with the Tunisians winning.
Tie break for three teams—points difference in head-to-head games:
SOV +7, ITA =0, ROM -7
Point system: try 4 pt, conversion: 2 pt., penalty kick 3 pt. drop 3 pt Click "show" for more info about match (scorers, line-up etc)
(in Italian) Francesco Volpe, Valerio Vecchiarelli (2000), 2000 Italia in Meta, Storia della nazionale italiana di rugby dagli albori al Sei Nazioni, GS Editore (2000) ISBN88-87374-40-6.
(in Italian) Francesco Volpe, Paolo Pacitti (Author), Rugby 2000, GTE Gruppo Editorale (1999).