Rugby Europe Under-18 Championship

Last updated
Rugby Europe Under-18 Championship
Current season or competition:
Rugby football current event.svg 2023 Rugby Europe Under-18 Championship
SportRugby union
Instituted2004
Number of teams8 (2023)
Country Europe (Rugby Europe)
HoldersFlag of Georgia.svg  Georgia (2023)
Most titlesFlag of France.svg  France (8 titles)

The Rugby Europe Under-18 Championship is an annual rugby union championship for Under-18 national teams, held since 2004. The championship is organised by rugby's European governing body, Rugby Europe. [1]

Contents

It has been held alternatingly in France and Italy, except for 2012 when it was held in Spain. The past editions were won by France, who won the championship in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, and England, which won it in 2005, 2006 and 2012. [2] Ireland became the third nation to win the tournament when they beat England in the 2011 final.

History

The European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship was first held in 2004, in Treviso, Italy. It replaced the previously held European Under-18 Emergent Nations Championship, which had first been held in 2000. [3] The first championship in 2004 was won by France. [2]

The following two championships, held in Lille, France, in 2005 and again in Treviso in 2006, were won by England. Alternating between France and Italy, the next four championships were held in Biarritz, Treviso again, Toulon and once more in Treviso in 2010. All four were won by France. Wales and Scotland did not compete in those years, and England did not compete in 2010. [2]

The 2011 edition of the competition saw the introduction of an elite division, above division one, the former A, made up of four teams, France, England, Wales and Ireland. The divisions below remained unchanged. It marked the first time that all countries participating in the six nations send a team to the European championship. The 2011 tournament was held in the regions of Armagnac and Bigorre, in southern France. [4] It was won by Ireland and saw the French team not reaching the final for the first time.

England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy left the tournament for the 2016 edition.

On March 12, 2020, following the recent evolution of COVID-19, Rugby Europe has announced a suspension of all its matches and tournaments, from Friday, March 13, 2020 until April 15, 2020. [5] On March 26 Rugby Europe has decided to extend the suspension of all its matches and tournaments for an indefinite period of time. [6] On April 8 Rugby Europe Board of Directors decided to cancel 2019 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship. [7]

Format

In 2010, the championship, similar to previous editions, was organised in an A, B and C Division, with A being the highest and C the lowest. Each division consisted of eight teams and each team played three competition games, with a quarter final, semi final and final/placing game. [8] The D division, unlike in the past, was held in a separate tournament in 2010.

The quarter finals were played according to a seeding list, with the winners moving on to the first to fourth place semi finals while the losers would enter the fifth to eighth place semi finals. [8]

The winners of the semi-finals one to four would play in the division final while the losers would play for third place. Similarly, the winners of the fifth to eighth semi finals would play for fifth place while the losers would play for seventh. [8]

The winner of the A division was crowned European champions while the eighth placed team would be relegated to the B division. Similarly, the winner of B and C division would move up a division for 2011 while the last placed teams would be relegated. This meant, France was crowned European champions while Romania finished on the relegation spot. Portugal won the B division and earned promotion while Ukraine was relegated and replaced by Sweden, the C champions. [8]

The 2011 format saw the introduction of a four-team elite division. Below this level, the divisions remained unchanged but were now numbered instead of being ordered by letters. [4]

In 2012 the modus was changed once more. The elite division now consisted of eight teams, as did the A and B divisions, with all three played at the same time and location while the C division consisted of four and the D division of three teams and were played separately. [9]

Championship finals

Emergent nations championship

YearHostFinalThird place match
WinnerScoreRunner-up3rd placeScore4th place
2000 [10] Sofia Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 56 – 17Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 28 – 10Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
2001 Split Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 37 – 6Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 79 – 0Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
2002 Prague Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 5 – 0Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 25 – 0Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia
2003 Amsterdam Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 24 – 5Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 29 – 7Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria

European championship

#YearHostFinalThird place match
WinnerScoreRunner-up3rd placeScore4th place
12004 [11] Treviso Flag of France.svg  France 32–0Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 19–6Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
22005 [12] Lille Flag of England.svg  England 16–9Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 10–6Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
32006 [13] Treviso Flag of England.svg  England 15–7Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 29–3Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
42007 [14] Dax Flag of France.svg  France 8–8(Pen. 4 – 3)IRFU flag.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg  England 52–9Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
52008 [15] Treviso Flag of France.svg  France 12–5IRFU flag.svg  Ireland Flag of England.svg  England 21–5Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
6 2009 [16] Toulon Flag of France.svg  France 20–19Flag of England.svg  England IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 51–10Flag of Romania.svg  Romania
7 2010 [17] Treviso Flag of France.svg  France 27–3IRFU flag.svg  Ireland Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 18–15Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
8 2011 [18] Tarbes IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 17–8Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 15–6Flag of France.svg  France
92012 [9] Madrid Flag of England.svg  England 25–13IRFU flag.svg  Ireland Flag of France.svg  France 10–7Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales
102013 [19] Grenoble Flag of England.svg  England 27–22Flag of France.svg  France IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 40–0Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland
112014 [20] Poznań Flag of England.svg  England 30–14IRFU flag.svg  Ireland Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 31–30Flag of France.svg  France
122015 [21] Toulouse Flag of France.svg  France 57–0Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Flag of England.svg  England 39–12Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
132016 [22] Lisbon Flag of France.svg  France 42–0Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 15–10Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
142017 [22] Quimperlé Flag of France.svg  France 36–18Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 22–16Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal
152018 [23] Poznań Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 8–3Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 17–0Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal
162019 [24] Kaliningrad Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 20–10Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 38–27Flag of Russia.svg  Russia
2020 [25] Kaliningrad CancelledCancelled
17 2021 [26] Kaliningrad Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 27–0Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 46–7Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
182022 [27] Tbilisi / Rustavi Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 34–10Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 40–6Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
192023 [28] Prague Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 19–3Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 26–13Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
202024 [29] Prague Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 32–11Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 34–0Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic

Medals (2003-2024)

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of France.svg  France 84113
2Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 63110
3Flag of England.svg  England 53311
4Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 1528
5Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 0325
6Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 0246
7Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 0022
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 0022
9Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 0011
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 0011
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 0011
Totals (11 entries)20202060

Divisional champions

Emergent nations championship 2000 to 2003:

YearA
2000Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
2001Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
2002Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium
2003Flag of Poland.svg  Poland

The divisional champions from 2004 to 2010:

YearABCD
2004Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Not held
2005Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary
2006Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Flag of Austria.svg  Austria
2007Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria
2008Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia
2009 Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg
2010 Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova

The divisional champions after the reorganisation in 2011:

YearEliteABCD
2011 IRFU flag.svg  Ireland Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
2012Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Flag of Austria.svg  Austria
2013Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Flag of Austria.svg  Austria Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark
2014Flag of England.svg  England Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova
2015Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra

The divisional champions after the reorganisation in 2016:

YearEliteTrophyConference 1Conference 2
2016Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Poland.svg  Poland Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Flag of Israel.svg  Israel
2017Flag of France.svg  France Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
2018Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Not held
2019Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Not held
2020Cancelled
2021 Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
2022Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia
YearEliteQualifier
2023Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland
2024Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Flag of Germany.svg  Germany

Placings

The placings in the championship in order of the 2019 results:

Team20042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192021202220232024
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 65666733667222111111
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 18218321312554323332
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 67146537217722876543
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 7677815476833537874
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 81884215888633432225
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 244231642453641666
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 32351546176245754467
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 77155487453483687858
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 2522186847247158
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 56777678521171545
Flag of France.svg  France 122111143241112
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 535324451346162
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 833177738562614
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 456656863341486
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 54421535435577
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 318857447816828
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 185862211277141
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 7486843335152
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 816423228322533
Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 2355153423674
Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 465
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 673144872243386
Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 21144
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 46457566413123
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 8221631665832
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 7646223322
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 45
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 3536
Flag of England.svg  England 21133221113
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 343448527764
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 34535
IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 5223212327
Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 43415458
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 527332126818
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 6176878118
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 4654
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 3
Flag of France.svg Côte d'Azur Selection7
Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco 8
Elite DivisionA Division/TrophyB Division/Conference 1C Division/Conference 2D Division

See also

Related Research Articles

The Rugby Europe International Championships is the European Championship for tier 2 and tier 3 rugby union nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luxembourg national rugby union team</span> National rugby union team

The Luxembourg national rugby union team is a minor team, and is ranked as a third tier nation. They are currently competing in the 2024-2025 Rugby Europe Trophy. Since 1996 Luxembourg also competes in the sevens circuits in Europe Luxembourg national rugby sevens team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russia national rugby union team</span> National rugby union team

The Russia national rugby union team, nicknamed Medvedi, represented Russia in men's international rugby union international competitions. The team is administered by the Rugby Union of Russia (RUR). The RUR is considered the official successor union of the Soviet Union by World Rugby and the combined CIS team which played in the early 1990s. Since 1992, the team has played as Russia. Its first test match as Russia was against the Barbarians in Moscow in June 1992 and the country's first test against an official Test nation was against Belgium later that same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 European Sevens Championship</span>

The 2008 European Sevens Championship was a rugby sevens competition, with the final held in Hanover, Germany. It was the seventh edition of the European Sevens championship and also functioned as a qualifying tournament for the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens. The event was organised by rugby's European governing body, the FIRA – Association of European Rugby (FIRA-AER).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby union in Poland</span>

Rugby union in Poland is a moderately popular sport, and the Polish men's national team are ranked 30th in the world, as of 20th November 2022. The Poland women's rugby sevens team won the silver medal at the 2023 European Games, behind Great Britain, progressing to the final 2024 Summer Olympic qualification tournament.

The Hungary national women's rugby union team are the national women's rugby union team of Hungary. They have thus far only played in sevens tournaments and they have yet to qualify for the Women's Rugby World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010–12 European Nations Cup First Division</span> Rugby union tournament

The 2010–12 European Nations Cup is the premier rugby union competition below the Six Nations Championship in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship</span>

The 2010 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship was the seventh annual international rugby union competition for Under 18 national rugby union teams in Europe. The event was organised by rugby's European governing body, the FIRA – Association of European Rugby (FIRA-AER). The competition was contested by 24 men's junior national teams and was held in late March and early April 2010. It was hosted by the Italian region of Veneto, with the final played at the home ground of Benetton Treviso.

The France national under-18 rugby union team is the under-18 side of the France national rugby union team in the sport of rugby union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship</span>

The 2009 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship was the sixth annual international rugby union competition for Under 18 national rugby union teams in Europe. The event was organised by rugby's European governing body, the FIRA – Association of European Rugby (FIRA-AER). The competition was contested by 32 men's junior national teams and was held in early April 2009. It was hosted by the French region of Var - Côte d'Azur, with the final held in Toulon.

The 2009 European Sevens Championship was a rugby sevens competition, with the final held in Hanover, Germany. It was the eighth edition of the European Sevens championship and was organised by rugby's European governing body, the FIRA – Association of European Rugby (FIRA-AER).

The 2011 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship was the eighth annual international rugby union competition for Under 18 national rugby union teams in Europe. The event was organised by rugby's European governing body, the FIRA – Association of European Rugby (FIRA-AER). The competition was contested by 28 men's junior national teams and will be held in April 2011. It was hosted by the French region of Armagnac and Bigorre. The tournament was won by the under-18 team of Ireland, who took out the title for the first time, beating England in the final. For the first time, France did not reach the championship game and finished in fourth place only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">England national under-18 rugby union team</span> Rugby team

The England national under-18 rugby union team is the under-18 team of England in the sport of rugby union.

The 2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division is the premier rugby union competition below the Six Nations Championship in Europe. It is divided into two tiers; Division 1A and Division 1B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 FIRA-AER Sevens Grand Prix Series</span>

2012 Sevens Grand Prix Series was the 11th round of the Sevens Grand Prix Series for rugby sevens organised by the FIRA – Association of European Rugby. The series was held in three phases hosted by France (Lyon), Russia (Moscow) and Denmark (Odense). The tournament was won by France, who defeated Portugal 21–12 in the final. England, winner of the first two phases of the tournament, were considered to be favourites but eliminated by France in the quarter-finals. England were the overall champions of the tournament.

The Rugby Europe Sevens are a series of rugby sevens tournaments held by Rugby Europe. It was formerly known as the FIRA-AER Sevens until 2013, and the Sevens Grand Prix Series until 2021. Only one annual tournament existed prior to 2011, when Rugby Europe created a series of tournaments, following the model of the World Rugby Sevens Series. The main division is known as the Rugby Europe Championship Series, formerly known the Grand Prix, followed by the Trophy Series, Conference 1, and Conference 2. The competitions use a promotion/relegation system.

The 2013 Sevens Grand Prix Series was the 12th year of the annual rugby Sevens Grand Prix Series for rugby sevens organised by the FIRA – Association of European Rugby. The 2013 Series consisted of two tournaments, held in Lyon, France and Bucharest, Romania. England won both legs, winning the overall 2013 Series.

The North Sea Cup was an annual rugby union championship for club teams from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, held since 2011. The championship was sanctioned by rugby's European governing body, the FIRA – Association of European Rugby (FIRA-AER).

The 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division is the premier rugby union competition below the Six Nations Championship in Europe. It is divided into two tiers; Division 1A and Division 1B.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby Europe</span> Administrative body for rugby union in Europe

Rugby Europe is the administrative body for rugby union in Europe. It was formed in 1999 to promote, develop, organise, and administer the game of rugby in Europe under the authority of World Rugby. However, it is not responsible for the organisation of the Six Nations Championship or the competitions run by European Professional Club Rugby.

References

  1. U18 - 2010 FIRA-AER Justin Bridou European Championship FIRA-AER website, accessed: 1 May 2010
  2. 1 2 3 2010 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship official website - History Archived 2011-03-13 at the Wayback Machine accessed: 1 May 2010
  3. Forty years of age grade growth in Europe Archived February 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine IRB website, published: 16 April 2009, accessed: 2 May 2010
  4. 1 2 U18 - 6 Nations play off FIRA-AER website, accessed: 6 April 2011
  5. "Statement - Suspension of Games & Tournaments | Rugby Europe". www.rugbyeurope.eu. Archived from the original on 2020-03-19.
  6. "Statement: Competitions Suspension Extended | Rugby Europe". www.rugbyeurope.eu. Archived from the original on 2020-03-26.
  7. "COVID-19 Statement: Board of Directors".
  8. 1 2 3 4 2010 European Under-18 Rugby Union Championship official website - Fixtures Archived 2010-04-13 at the Wayback Machine accessed: 1 May 2010
  9. 1 2 FIRA-AER website - 2012 groups accessed: 5 April 2012
  10. "Site Officiel de la FIRA A.E.R. - Compétitions Juniors". Archived from the original on 2001-07-09. Retrieved 2001-07-09.
  11. "Rugby Union European Competitions".
  12. FIRA-AER website - 2005 results accessed: 3 May 2010
  13. FIRA-AER website - 2006 results accessed: 3 May 2010
  14. FIRA-AER website - 2007 results accessed: 3 May 2010
  15. FIRA-AER website - 2008 results accessed: 3 May 2010
  16. FIRA-AER website - 2009 results accessed: 3 May 2010
  17. FIRA-AER website - 2010 results accessed: 3 May 2010
  18. FIRA-AER website - 2011 groups accessed: 6 April 2011
  19. FIRA-AER website - 2013 groups accessed: 30 March 2013
  20. FIRA-AER website - 2014 groups accessed: 30 March 2014
  21. FIRA-AER website - 2015 groups Archived 2015-04-08 at the Wayback Machine accessed: 26 March 2015
  22. 1 2 FIRA-AER website - 2016 groups Archived 2016-04-06 at the Wayback Machine accessed: 27 March 2016
  23. Rugby Europe website - 2018 edition accessed: 31 March 2018
  24. Rugby Europe website - 2019 edition accessed: 20 April 2019
  25. 2020 - U18 Championship
  26. "U18 Championship 2021".
  27. "U18 Championship 2022".
  28. "U18 Championship 2023".
  29. "U18 Championship 2024".