2025 Rugby Europe Championship

Last updated

2025 Rugby Europe Championship
Date31 January – 16 March 2025
Countries
Tournament statistics
Champions Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia (17th title)
Antim Cup Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia (19th title)
Matches played20
Attendance73,075 (3,654 per match)
Tries scored164 (8.2 per match)
← 2024 (Previous)(Next) 2026 →
2027 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification
Tournament details
Dates31 January 2025 – 16 March 2025
No. of nations8
Tournament statistics
Matches played17
← 2023
2031 →

The 2025 Rugby Europe Championship, which doubles as the qualifying process for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup and World Rugby Nations Championship's second division for Europe, is the ongoing, ninth Rugby Europe Championship, the annual rugby union competition for the top European national teams outside the Six Nations Championship, and the 54th edition of the competition (including all its previous incarnations as the FIRA Tournament, Rugby Union European Cup, FIRA Nations Cup, FIRA Trophy, and European Nations Cup). [1]

Contents

Eight teams took part in the 2024 championship. The championship was contested by Belgium, Georgia, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Poland. [2] Georgia won the previous championship after defeating Portugal in the final, claiming their 16th title. Poland were relegated. After winning the 2023-24 Rugby Europe Trophy, Switzerland were promoted to the Championship for the 2025 season. This is the first time in their history that they are in the top division.[ citation needed ]

The serpentine system was applied to allocate each team to their respective groups. [3] Each team plays a total of five games (three round robin group matches to determine the team's path and two play-off matches). [3] Seeding (for a group) and relegation are calculated over a two-year cycle, as is the promotion from the Trophy competition. [3]

This year's edition of the Rugby Europe Championship doubles as the year of the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers for the European region. [4] The top two sides from each pool will qualify for the Rugby World Cup, with the final & bronze final acting as seeding matches to seed the team Europe 1–4. The Ranking Finals will then act as the play-off to determine Europe 5, who will advance to the final qualification tournament.

Participants

NationStadiumHead coachCaptain
Home stadiumCapacityLocation
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Stade Charles Tondreau
Stade du Pachy		8,000
3,000		 Mons
Waterloo 		Flag of France.svg Laurent DossatJens Torfs
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Avchala Stadium
Mikheil Meskhi Stadium 		3,500
27,223		 Tbilisi Flag of England.svg Richard Cockerill Vasil Lobzhanidze
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Auestadion
Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark 		18,737
5,000		 Kassel
Heidelberg 		Flag of Germany.svg Mark Kuhlmann Jörn Schröder
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands NRCA Stadium 7,000 Amsterdam Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Lyn Jones Hugo Langelaan
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Estádio do Restelo
Estádio Nacional 		19,856
37,593		 Lisbon
Oeiras 		Flag of New Zealand.svg Simon Mannix Tomás Appleton
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Stadionul Arcul de Triumf
Botoșani Municipal Stadium 		8,207
7,782		 Bucharest
Botoșani 		Flag of France.svg David Gérard Ovidiu Cojocaru
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Estadio Nacional Complutense 12,400 Madrid Flag of Argentina.svg Pablo Bouza Jon Zabala
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Stade Municipal Yverdon 6,600 Yverdon-les-Bains Flag of France.svg Olivier NierCyril Lin

World Cup qualification

Nation Rank Began playQualifying status
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 271 February 2025Advances to Final Qualification Tournament on 15 march 2025
Flag of England.svg  England 4N/AQualified with Top 12 finish at 2023 World Cup
Flag of France.svg  France 3N/AQualified with Top 12 finish at 2023 World Cup
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 121 February 2025Qualified on 9 February 2025 [5] [6] / as Europe 1 on 16 March 2025
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 3231 January 2025Eliminated by Netherlands on 1 March 2025
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 7N/AQualified with Top 12 finish at 2023 World Cup
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 15N/AQualified with Top 12 finish at 2023 World Cup
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 262 February 2025Eliminated by Belgium on 15 march 2025
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 151 February 2025Qualified on 9 February 2025 [7] / as Europe 4 on 16 March 2025
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 2031 January 2025Qualified on 9 February 2025 [7] / as Europe 3 on 16 March 2025
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 8N/AQualified with Top 12 finish at 2023 World Cup
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 182 February 2025Qualified on 9 February 2025 [5] [8] / as Europe 2 on 16 March 2025
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 281 February 2025Eliminated by Belgium on 1 March 2025
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 5N/AQualified with Top 12 finish at 2023 World Cup

Tables and fixtures

Pool A

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 330021239+1733253015 Grand Finals Semi-Finals
2Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 320112899+2918142010
3Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 310210493+111712105 Ranking Finals Semi-Finals
4Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 300313226−213136000
Source: Rugby Europe [9]
Rules for classification:
If two teams have the same number of points the best ranked will be: 1) match points in the games played between the tied Unions; 2) tries in the games played between the tied Unions; 3) match points difference in all pool games; 4) tries for in all pool games; 5) match points for in all pool games.
If three or more teams have same number of points, the best ranked will be:1) match points difference in all pool games; 2) tries for in all pool games; 4) match points for in all pool games.
Points were awarded to the teams as follows: Win – 4 points, Draw – 2 points, At least 3 more tries than opponent – 1 point, Loss within 7 points – 1 point [10]

Week 1

1 February 2025
16:00 GET (UTC+4)
(1 TBP) Georgia  Flag of Georgia.svg110–0Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Report
Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Attendance: 3,500
Referee: Luis Fernandez (Spain)
2 February 2025
12:45 CET (UTC+1)
(1 TBP) Spain  Flag of Spain.svg53–24Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
Report
Estadio Nacional Complutense, Madrid
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)

Week 2

8 February 2025
15:00 GET (UTC+4)
(1 TBP) Georgia  Flag of Georgia.svg40–7Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
Report
Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Benoit Rousselet (France)
9 February 2025
14:00 CET (UTC+1)
Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg13–43Flag of Spain.svg  Spain (1 TBP)
Report
Stade Municipal, Yverdon-les-Bains
Attendance: 3,800
Referee: Nicolae Fratila (Romania)

Week 3

15 February 2025
13:00 CET (UTC+1)
(1 TBP) Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg73–0Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Report
NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
16 February 2025
12:45 CET (UTC+1)
Spain  Flag of Spain.svg32–62Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia (1 TBP)
Report
Estadio Nacional Complutense, Madrid
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

Pool B

PosTeamPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPtsQualification
1Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 330013050+801953015 Grand Finals Semi-Finals
2Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 32018558+2798109
3Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 31028390−71012004 Ranking Finals Semi-Finals
4Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 300343143−100619000
Updated to match(es) played on 15 February 2025. Source: Rugby Europe [9]
Rules for classification:
If two teams have the same number of points the best ranked will be: 1) match points in the games played between the tied Unions; 2) tries in the games played between the tied Unions; 3) match points difference in all pool games; 4) tries difference for in all pool games; 5) match points for in all pool games.
If three or more teams have same number of points, the best ranked will be:1) match points difference in all pool games; 2) tries for in all pool games; 4) match points for in all pool games.
Points were awarded to the teams as follows: Win – 4 points, Draw – 2 points, At least 3 more tries than opponent – 1 point, Loss within 7 points – 1 point [10]

Week 1

31 January 2025
18:00 EET (UTC+2)
(1TBP) Romania  Flag of Romania.svg48–10Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Report
Stadionul Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Attendance: 4,200
Referee: Franco Rosella (Italy)
1 February 2025
19:30 WET (UTC+0)
(1 TBP) Portugal  Flag of Portugal.svg40–30Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report
Estádio do Restelo, Lisbon
Attendance: 4,000
Referee: Shota Tevzadze (Georgia)

Week 2

8 February 2025
20:00 CET (UTC+1)
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg14–31Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Report
Stade Charles Tondreau, Mons
Attendance: 5,400
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
9 February 2025
17:15 WET (UTC+0)
(1 TBP) Portugal  Flag of Portugal.svg56–14Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Report
Estádio do Restelo, Lisbon
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Keane Davison (Ireland)

Week 3

15 February 2025
17:00 EET (UTC+2)
Romania  Flag of Romania.svg6–34Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal (1 TBP)
Report
Botoșani Municipal Stadium, Botoșani
Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Ludovic Cayre (France)
16 February 2025
15:30 CET (UTC+1)
Germany  Flag of Germany.svg19–39Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report
Auestadion, Kassel
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Saba Abulashvili (Georgia)

Ranking Finals

The winner of this bracket will advance to the Final Qualification Tournament for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup and World Rugby Nations Championship's second division.

 
Semi-finals Fifth-place Final
 
      
 
1 March – NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
 
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 38
 
15 March – NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
 
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 9
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 10
 
1 March – Stade du Pachy, Waterloo
 
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 31
 
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 38
 
 
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 5
 
 Seventh-place Final
 
 
15 March – Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark, Heidelberg
 
 
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 17
 
 
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 20

Semi-finals

1 March 2025
13:00 CET (UTC+1)
Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg38–9Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Report
NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Attendance: 2,500
Referee: Shota Tevzadze (Georgia)
1 March 2025
20:00 CET (UTC+1)
Belgium  Flag of Belgium (civil).svg38–5Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Report
Stade du Pachy, Waterloo
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Alex Frasson (Italy)

Seventh-place final

15 March 2025
15:45 CET (UTC+1)
Germany  Flag of Germany.svg17–20Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
Report
Fritz-Grunebaum-Sportpark, Heidelberg
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Mike English (Wales}

Fifth-place final

15 March 2025
13:00 CET (UTC+1)
Netherlands  Flag of the Netherlands.svg10–31Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
Report
NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Attendance: 4,500
Referee: Jeremy Rozier (France)

Grand Finals

 
Semi-finals Cup Final
 
      
 
1 March – Estádio Nacional, Oeiras
 
 
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 31
 
16 March – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
 
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 42
 
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 46
 
2 March – Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
 
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 28
 
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 43
 
 
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 5
 
 Bronze Final
 
 
16 March – Estádio Nacional, Oeiras
 
 
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 7
 
 
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 21

Semi-finals

1 March 2025
15:30 WET (UTC+0)
Portugal  Flag of Portugal.svg31–42Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Report
Estádio Nacional, Oeiras
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Adam Jones (Wales)
2 March 2025
15:00 GET (UTC+4)
Georgia  Flag of Georgia.svg43–5Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Report
Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Attendance: 2,975
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)

Bronze Final

16 March 2025
15:00 WET (UTC+0)
Portugal  Flag of Portugal.svg7–21Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
Estádio Nacional, Oeiras
Referee: Saba Abulashvili (Georgia)

Cup Final

16 March 2025
16:00 GET (UTC+4)
Georgia  Flag of Georgia.svg46–28Flag of Spain.svg  Spain
Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)

Final standings

Pos.TeamPoints 2027 RWC / WRNC Division 2 qualification
1Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 10Qualified as Europe 1
2Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 8Qualified as Europe 2
3Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 6Qualified as Europe 3
4Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 5Qualified as Europe 4
5Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 4Advances to FQT
6Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 3Eliminated
7Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 2
8Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 1

International broadcasters

CountryBroadcaster [11] Summary
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium VRT
LN24		Belgium games shown live via VRT and LN24.
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Rugby TV
Imedi TV 		Georgia games shown live via Rugby TV and Imedi TV. Also Georgia games are streamed and free on Rugby TV Facebook page.
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany ProSieben Maxx
Joyn
Ran		Germany games shown live via ProSieben Maxx, other games are streamed and free on Joyn and Ran.
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Ziggo Selected games live on Ziggo Sport.
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Sport TV Portugal games shown live on Sport TV.
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania TVR1
TVR Sport		Romania games shown live via TVR1 and TVR Sport.
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Teledeporte
RTVE Play 		Spain games shown live via Teledeporte and .RTVE Play digital platform.
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland RTS 2
SRI digital		Switzerland games shown live via RTS 2 channel and SRI digital platforms.
North America FloRugby All games available through streaming via FloSports.
Rest of the World Rugby Europe All games available through streaming via Rugby Europe (registration required). Some games are streamed and free on Rugby Europe Youtube channel

See also

References

  1. ↑ "EPCR announces venues for 2025 and 2026 Finals Weekends | European Professional Club Rugby". www.epcrugby.com. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  2. ↑ "2024 World Rugby Participants". September 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "New Format for Rugby Europe Championship". Rugby Europe. 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  4. ↑ "2025 Rugby Europe Championship Calendar Confirmed". 18 August 2024.
  5. 1 2 "Georgia and Spain secure Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification". World Rugby. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Georgia Book Spot in Seventh Consecutive Rugby World Cup". Americas Rugby News. 8 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Romania and Portugal qualify for Men's Rugby World Cup Australia 2027". World Rugby. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  8. ↑ "Georgia, Spain qualify for 2027 Rugby World Cup". SuperSport. 9 February 2025. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Rugby Europe Men's Championship 2025". Rugby Europe.
  10. 1 2 "September 2024 Edition (2024-2025 season v1) RUGBY EUROPE INTERNATIONAL XV CHAMPIONSHIPS MEN & WOMEN 2024-2025 TOURNAMENT MANUAL" (PDF). Rugby Europe. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  11. ↑ "Unprecedented Coverage for 2025 Men's Rugby Europe Championship". Rugby Europe.
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