2019 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification| Tournament details |
|---|
| Dates | 1 October 2016 – 16 June 2018 |
|---|
| No. of nations | 31 |
|---|
| ← 2015 2023 → |
Qualifying for the 2019 Rugby World Cup for European Rugby began in September 2016, where 5 teams are competing for one direct qualification spot into the final tournament, and a further 26 teams competing, alongside the initial 5 teams, for a place in the Europe/Oceania play-off and or repechage.
The qualification process came to a chaotic conclusion when 3 of the 5 teams in the 2017 and 2018 editions of the Rugby Europe Championship were effectively disqualified for fielding ineligible players. As a result, Russia qualified for the World Cup and Germany advanced to a playoff against Portugal for a place in the repechage process.
Format
The Rugby Europe Championship, controlled by Rugby Europe, is the regional qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup 2019, with the Championship, Trophy and Conference 1 and 2 being involved in the process.
The 2016–17 Rugby Europe International Championships form the majority of qualification matches for the European region. The respective winners of Round 1A and 1B, Rugby Europe Conference 2 North and South, will progress to the Round 1 Final. The overall winner of Round 1, will advance to the Round 3, where they will play against the winner of Round 2, Conference 1. The winner of Round 3 will play against the winner of the 2016–17 Rugby Europe Trophy tournament in the Round 4 Final, where the winner of that final will parachute down to Round 6 - the European Final play-off.
The winner of Round 5, which is an aggregate table of the 2017 and 2018 Rugby Europe Championship's, will qualify for the World Cup as Europe 1, the runner-up will advance to Round 6.
Round 6 will see the winner of Round 4 and the runner-up of Round 5 face against each other in a one-off play-off match, the higher ranked team hosting at the time of teams decided, to earn the right to progress to a home and away Cross-Regional play-off series against the third placed team from Oceania, Oceania 3.
Entrants
Thirty one teams competed during for the 2019 Rugby World Cup – European qualification; teams world rankings are prior to the first European qualification match on 3 September 2016.
| Nation |
Rank |
Began play |
Qualifying status
|
 Andorra |
62 |
22 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Malta on 11 February 2017
|
 Austria |
87 |
8 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Serbia on 29 April 2017
|
 Belgium |
24 |
18 February 2017 |
Eliminated via points deduction on 15 May 2018
|
 Bosnia and Herzegovina |
74 |
8 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Hungary on 20 May 2017
|
 Croatia |
54 |
29 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Malta on 29 April 2017
|
 Cyprus |
NR |
29 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Andorra on 11 February 2017
|
 Czech Republic |
33 |
3 September 2016 |
Eliminated by Portugal on 18 November 2017
|
 Denmark |
88 |
8 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Hungary's victory on 6 May 2017
|
 England |
2 |
N/A |
Qualified with Top 12 finish at 2015 World Cup
|
 Estonia |
NR |
1 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Hungary's victory on 22 April 2017
|
 Finland |
97 |
8 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Denmark on 22 April 2017
|
 France |
8 |
N/A |
Qualified with Top 12 finish at 2015 World Cup
|
 Georgia |
11 |
N/A |
Qualified with Top 12 finish at 2015 World Cup
|
 Germany |
26 |
11 February 2017 |
Advances to Europe/Oceania play-off on 16 June 2018
|
 Hungary |
82 |
1 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Czech Republic on 27 April 2017
|
 Ireland |
6 |
N/A |
Qualified with Top 12 finish at 2015 World Cup
|
 Israel |
63 |
5 November 2016 |
Eliminated by Malta on 22 April 2017
|
 Italy |
13 |
N/A |
Qualified with Top 12 finish at 2015 World Cup
|
 Latvia |
51 |
22 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Czech Republic on 15 April 2017
|
 Lithuania |
46 |
5 November 2016 |
Eliminated by Czech Republic's victory on 6 May 2017
|
 Luxembourg |
59 |
22 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Czech Republic's victory on 15 April 2017
|
 Malta |
49 |
22 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Czech Republic on 20 May 2017
|
 Moldova |
32 |
12 November 2016 |
Eliminated by Portugal on 11 March 2017
|
 Netherlands |
34 |
5 November 2016 |
Eliminated by Portugal's victory on 1 April 2017
|
 Norway |
90 |
8 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Hungary on 22 April 2017
|
 Poland |
37 |
24 September 2016 |
Eliminated by Portugal on 18 March 2017
|
 Portugal |
30 |
19 November 2016 |
Eliminated by Germany on 16 June 2018
|
 Romania |
16 |
11 February 2017 |
Eliminated via points deduction on 15 May 2018
|
 Russia |
21 |
12 February 2017 |
Qualified as Europe 1 via mass points deduction on 15 May 2018
|
 Scotland |
9 |
N/A |
Qualified with Top 12 finish at 2015 World Cup
|
 Serbia |
79 |
29 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Bosnia and Herzegovina on 22 April 2017
|
 Slovenia |
67 |
29 October 2016 |
Eliminated by Austria on 22 April 2017
|
 Spain |
23 |
12 February 2017 |
Eliminated via points deduction on 15 May 2018
|
 Sweden |
58 |
3 September 2016 |
Eliminated by Latvia on 29 April 2017
|
 Switzerland |
31 |
19 November 2016 |
Eliminated by Netherlands on 18 March 2017
|
 Turkey |
NR |
5 November 2016 |
Withdrew from competition on 5 November 2016
|
 Ukraine |
27 |
24 September 2016 |
Eliminated by Portugal's victory on 4 March 2017
|
 Wales |
5 |
N/A |
Qualified with Top 12 finish at 2015 World Cup
|
Round 1: Rugby Europe Conference 2
Round 1A: North
| Advances to Round 1 Final
|
| Place
|
Nation
|
Games
|
Points
|
Bonus
points
|
Table
points
|
| played
|
won
|
drawn
|
lost
|
for
|
against
|
diff
|
| 1 |
Hungary |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
157 |
30 |
+127 |
3 |
19
|
| 2 |
Denmark |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
161 |
42 |
+119 |
2 |
14
|
| 3 |
Norway |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
98 |
109 |
–11 |
2 |
10
|
| 4 |
Finland |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
92 |
144 |
–52 |
2 |
6
|
| 5 |
Estonia |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
39 |
222 |
–183 |
0 |
0
|
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win - 4 points
Draw - 2 points
Offensive Bonus Point is given for 3 more tries than the other team - 1 point
Loss within 7 points - 1 point
Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points
|
| Matches
|
Myllypuro sports park, Helsinki
Attendance: 400
Referee: Kevin Sulejmani (Belgium |
|
Round 1B: South
| Advances to Round 1 Final
|
| Place
|
Nation
|
Games
|
Points
|
Bonus
points
|
Table
points
|
| played
|
won
|
drawn
|
lost
|
for
|
against
|
diff
|
| 1 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
65 |
54 |
+11 |
1 |
9
|
| 2 |
Austria |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
54 |
51 |
+3 |
0 |
8
|
| 3 |
Slovenia |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
89 |
48 |
+41 |
2 |
6
|
| 4 |
Serbia |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
52 |
107 |
–55 |
0 |
4
|
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win - 4 points
Draw - 2 points
Offensive Bonus Point is given for 3 more tries than the other team - 1 point
Loss within 7 points - 1 point
Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points
|
| Matches
|
Stadion Kamberovice Polje, Zenica
Attendance: 300
Referee: Csaba Priskin (Hungary) |
|
Round 1 Final
Hungary, as winners, qualify for round 3.
Round 2: Rugby Europe Conference 1
Round 2A: North
| Advances to Conference Final
|
| Place
|
Nation
|
Games
|
Points
|
Bonus
points
|
Table
points
|
| played
|
won
|
drawn
|
lost
|
for
|
against
|
diff
|
| 1 |
Czech Republic |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
158 |
26 |
+132 |
3 |
19
|
| 2 |
Lithuania |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
93 |
47 |
+46 |
2 |
14
|
| 3 |
Latvia |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
56 |
98 |
–42 |
2 |
10
|
| 4 |
Sweden |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
56 |
124 |
–68 |
1 |
5
|
| 5 |
Luxembourg |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
39 |
107 |
–68 |
1 |
1
|
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win - 4 points
Draw - 2 points
Offensive Bonus Point is given for 3 more tries than the other team - 1 point
Loss within 7 points - 1 point
Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points
|
| Matches
|
Enköpings Rugbyklubb, Enkoping
Attendance: 400
Referee: Maxime Burlet (Belgium) |
Stadion ragby Císařka, Prague
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Shota Tevzadze (Georgia) |
Stadion ragby Císařka, Prague
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Gabriel Chirnoaga (Italy) |
Enköpings Rugbyklubb, Enkoping
Attendance: 320
Referee: Killian O'Brien (Germany) |
|
Round 2B: South
| Advances to Conference Final
|
| Place
|
Nation
|
Games
|
Points
|
Bonus
points
|
Table
points
|
| played
|
won
|
drawn
|
lost
|
for
|
against
|
diff
|
| 1 |
Malta |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
147 |
49 |
+98 |
3 |
17
|
| 2 |
Israel |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
135 |
100 |
+35 |
2 |
14
|
| 3 |
Croatia |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
106 |
79 |
+27 |
3 |
13
|
| 4 |
Andorra |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
62 |
181 |
–119 |
0 |
4
|
| 5 |
Cyprus |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
72 |
113 |
–41 |
2 |
2
|
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win - 4 points
Draw - 2 points
Offensive Bonus Point is given for 3 more tries than the other team - 1 point
Loss within 7 points - 1 point
Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points
|
Round 2 Final
The Czech Republic, as winners, qualify for round 3.
Stadion Markéta, Prague
Attendance: 500
Referee: Thomas Charabas (France) |
Round 3
The Czech Republic, as winners, qualify for the final of round 4.
Stadion ragby Císařka, Prague
Attendance: 500
Referee: François Bouzac (France) |
Round 4
Round 4A: Rugby Europe Trophy
| Advances to Round 4 Final
|
| Place
|
Nation
|
Games
|
Points
|
Bonus
points
|
Table
points
|
| played
|
won
|
drawn
|
lost
|
for
|
against
|
diff
|
| 1 |
Portugal |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
179 |
37 |
+142 |
4 |
24
|
| 2 |
Netherlands |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
159 |
94 |
+65 |
3 |
15
|
| 3 |
Switzerland |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
140 |
122 |
+18 |
1 |
13
|
| 4 |
Poland |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
73 |
73 |
0 |
0 |
12
|
| 5 |
Moldova |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
100 |
162 |
-62 |
3 |
7
|
| 6 |
Ukraine |
5 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
52 |
215 |
–163 |
0 |
0
|
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win - 4 points
Draw - 2 points
Offensive Bonus Point is given for 3 more tries than the other team - 1 point
Loss within 7 points - 1 point
Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points
|
| Matches
|
Stadionul Central, Bălți
Attendance: 500
Referee: Laurent Cardona (France) |
CAR Rugby do Jamor, Lisbon
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland) |
CAR Rugby do Jamor, Lisbon
Attendance: 1,400
Referee: Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland) |
Balti Stadium, Bălți
Attendance: 350
Referee: Alexei Bryzgalin (Russia) |
|
Round 4 Final
This fixture, unlike previous knock out fixtures, doubles as part of the Rugby Europe Trophy competition.
Portugal, as winners, advance to round 6.
Round 5
Round 5A: Rugby Europe Championship
Table
For the Rugby Europe Championship teams, results are considered on a 2-year aggregate from the 2017 and 2018 seasons (excluding matches involving Georgia, who had already qualified). The winner advanced to the Rugby World Cup and the runner-up advanced to the Round 6 play-off.
| Qualified as Europe 1
|
| Advances to Round 6
|
| Place
|
Nation
|
Games
|
Points
|
Bonus
points
|
Deductions
|
Total
points
|
| played
|
won
|
drawn
|
lost
|
for
|
against
|
diff
|
| 1 |
Russia |
8 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
226 |
144 |
+82 |
4 |
|
20
|
| 2 |
Germany |
8 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
149 |
446 |
–287 |
2 |
|
10
|
| 3 |
Romania |
8 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
296 |
126 |
+170 |
6 |
-30 |
0
|
| 4 |
Spain |
8 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
217 |
85 |
+132 |
2 |
-40 |
–14
|
| 5 |
Belgium |
8 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
170 |
257 |
–87 |
3 |
-30 |
–19
|
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win - 4 points
Draw - 2 points
Offensive Bonus Point is given for 3 more tries than the other team - 1 point
Loss within 7 points - 1 point
Loss greater than 7 points - 0 points
|
World Rugby received complaints against all five teams of fielding ineligible players, in breach of Regulation 8, during the qualification process. The neutral panel cleared Germany and Russia of the alleged ineligible players, but found Belgium, Romania and Spain guilty of breaching Regulation 8. The panel determined that each nation would be deducted 5 points for each game they had fielded an ineligible player, regardless of if more than one ineligible player had been fielded. The investigation found that Belgium and Romania had fielded ineligible players 6 times (a deduction of 30 points) and Spain 8 times (a deduction of 40 points) during the qualification process. This meant, with the deducted points for the respective nations, Russia would qualify ahead of Romania and Germany would advance to the play-offs ahead of Spain. On 29 May 2018, it was confirmed that both Romania and Spain had appealed the decision. On 6 June, the appeal failed and the decision was upheld meaning Russia was confirmed as Europe 1 and qualified for the World Cup, whilst Germany advanced to round 6.
Matches
| 2017 Matches
|
Sportpark Höhenberg, Cologne
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Lloyd Linton (Scotland) |
As the bottom-placed team in the 2017 Championship, Belgium faced the 2016/17 Trophy champions Portugal in a promotion/relegation play-off. While the game did not effect Portugal's World Cup qualification chances, as they were still to compete in the round 4 final at the time, Belgium were competing to stay in the European Championship and therefore the qualifying tournament. On 20 May 2017, Belgium defeated Portugal to remain in contention.
|
| 2018 Matches
|
Sportpark Höhenberg, Köln
Attendance: 2,600
Referee: Ian Tempest (England) |
|
Round 6: Final play-off
Germany, as winners, advance to the Europe/Oceania play-off.
See also
References
- "Game Sheet Denmark vs Finland" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- "Game Sheet Hungary vs Norway" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- "Game Sheet Estonia vs Denmark" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- "Game Sheet Finland vs Hungary" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- "Game Sheet Norway vs Estonia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- "Slovenia-B&H" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-09. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Austria-Slovenia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "B&H-Serbia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Serbia-Austria" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Rd1 Final report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-06-05. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Sweden-Czech Republic" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Latvia-Luxembourg" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Lithuania-Latvia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Luxembourg-Sweden" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Czech Republic-Lithuania" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Czech Republic-Latvia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-16. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Game Sheet Lithuania vs Luxembourg" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- Latvia-Sweden
- "Sweden-Lithuania" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-08. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Luxembourg-Czech Republic" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-08. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Andorra v Malta". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Malta v Cyprus". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Croatia-Andorra" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Israel-Croatia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Cyprus-Israel" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Andorra-Cyprus" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Israel-Andorra" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-09. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Malta v Israel". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Game Sheet Malta vs Israel" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- "Croatia-Malta" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-07. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Cyprus-Croatia" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-08. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Rd2 Final" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-06-05. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Round 3 Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-06-05. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Poland-Ukraine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Ukraine-Netherlands" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Moldova-Ukraine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Netherlands-Moldova" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Switzerland v Portugal". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Switzerland-Moldova" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Portugal v Poland". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Netherlands v Portugal". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Portugal v Moldova". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Switzerland-Ukraine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Moldova-Poland" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Netherlands-Switzerland" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Ukraine v Portugal" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-12-30.
- "Ukraine v Portugal". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Poland-Netherlands" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-10. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Poland-Switzerland" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Game Sheet Portugal vs Czech Republic" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-03-04. Retrieved 2018-02-18.
- rugbybworldcup.com. "Rugby World Cup 2019". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "World Rugby statement regarding the independent disputes committee's decision". Archived from the original on 16 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- "MEDIA RELEASE - RWC-2019-QUALIFICATION-DISPUTE-JUDGMENT". Archived from the original on 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
- Disciplinary update: Romania and Spain to appeal disputes committee outcomes
- Independent Appeal Committee decision regarding Romania and Spain
- "Judicial Committee judgement" (PDF). Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- Appeal committee decision
- "FINAL RANKING RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 QUALIFIERS | Rugby Europe". Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
- "Germany v Romania". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Spain v Russia". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Romania-Spain" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-03-14. Retrieved 2017-05-29.
- "Belgium v Russia". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Russia v Romania". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Germany v Belgium". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Germany v Spain". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Belgium v Romania". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Spain v Belgium". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- "Russia v Germany". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- Rugby RU. "Qualification process Europe". Rugby.ru. Archived from the original on 14 May 2017. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
- "Belgium v Portugal". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- REIC RUSvESP Game Sheet
- REIC ROUvGER Game Sheet
- Game Sheet Russia vs Belgium
- Game Sheet Spain vs Romania
- Game Sheet Belgium vs Germany
- Game Sheet Russia vs Romania
- Game Sheet Romania vs Belgium
- Game Sheet Spain vs Germany
- Game Sheet Germany vs Russia
- Game Sheet Belgium vs Spain
External links
Categories:
40'
47'
