The Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2026 is just a week shy from starting, and to get us in the mood, we invited a few players from each of the eight contestants to share their views, opinions and emotions about their team and country.
Today two Diables Noirs step into the fray, and they are fierce flanker Jean-Maurice Decubber and mastermind scrum half Isaac Montoisy.
Jean-Maurice and Isaac, merci for being here with us to talk about Belgium and the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship. First question: what makes a Diables Noirs a Diables Noirs? What feelings transpire to play for your country?
Jean-Maurice Decubber. “I am a proud member of the Diables Noirs. Every player has their reasons to play for Belgium, be it because they were born here, or due to their ancestry, but one thing that connects all of us is that we want to be part of the same family: the Diables Noirs family.”
Isaac Montoisy. “As Jean-Maurice said, pride is the right word to describe what it is like to be part of the Diables Noirs ensemble. If you want to be part of this team, you have to want to sacrifice yourself for the team, show that you can fight until your last breath and play with all your heart.”
Did you follow the Diables Noirs while growing up? Can you share your first memory?
IM. “I don’t remember for the first time, but I used to attend the games in the old stadium in Brussels since I was 5. It was like a dream watching them play, and I looked up to them even if I never believed I would be there one day.”
JMD. “I have no idea what the first game was, as I debuted in 2014, and the Rugby Europe Trophy and Championship were only broadcast since 2017. However, my Belgian grandfather always shared with me how proud he was of being a Belgian, and when the occasion arose, I chose to play for the Diables Noirs.”
Your lives as Belgian internationals kicked off early, right? Do you still remember that first game?
JMD. “My debut was against Portugal in 2017! We had just finished bottom of the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship, and to stay at that level we needed to beat Portugal, who had just won the Trophy. It was a big game, as the Lobos really wanted to get back to the Championship, but in the end, we kept our composure together and won!”
IM. “2017 in the Estadio Complutense in Madrid against Spain. I wasn’t supposed to play, but a teammate got injured before the game, and I was picked for the 23. And, mid-game, our scrum half got concussed, and I was subbed in. I was 18 at that time. You know that I still have the jersey from that game? We lost, but it was a good match that one.”
Were there any butterflies running amok in your stomach? How did you deal with the anxiety of making your debut?
JMD. “I wasn’t anxious, as when you are 19 you are a bit oblivious to the pressure. I just wanted to play rugby for Belgium, grow and give my best without playing with negative or pessimistic thoughts.”
IM. “Yeah, I was the same as Jean-Maurice. I wasn’t anxious or nervous, I just wanted to play!”
Now what was the game that you enjoyed the most playing for Belgium?
IM. “Our 5th place win last year against the Netherlands. It meant that the World Cup was still alive and we earned that shot against one of our greatest rivals!”
JMD. “Two games! One was last November, when we drew with Samoa. We were disappointed with the result, but if you step back and understand where we came from and that we managed to tie a game against a great team, it shows our progress. The second game was our win against Russia in 2020. They had done well in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and we were able to take them down in the following REC.”
But were those three games the best in terms of supporting coming from the stands? If not, can you tell us what it was for you?
JMD. “That match against Russia was also special because of the support we had throughout the game. We were playing at the Stade Fallon in Brussels, and I remember scoring a try after a 60-meter run. The fans were loud and powered us the whole game.”
IM. “Switzerland in 2024. The fans were incredible, and my family was there. I scored two tries, and it was like a comeback after I sustained several injuries. Packed crowd at Charles Tondreau.”
As we are talking about the Diables Noirs, can you pick the greatest Belgian player that you’ve watched or played with?
JMD. “Alan Williams. Our best all-time point scorer. He was my teammate in Cognac, and he acted like my mentor when I first played for Belgium.”
IM. “I agree with Jean-Maurice, Alan Williams was a sensational Diables Noirs player. I played with him and was, and still am, a huge inspiration for me. Matias Remue is the next on the line, mark my words.”
And team traditions, do you have any that you can share with the public?
JMD. “We have traditions, yes. Once per week, the players are left alone in the hotel, and we do some games and challenges that can range from singing to the whole team putting on a show. It helps us disconnect from rugby and make the players happy!”
IM. “We do have some traditions and play games, but let me say that Bruno Vliegen, our prop, is the master of ceremonies, as he comes up with good and fun games.”
Now, let’s talk about rivalries… who is Belgium’s greatest nemesis?
JMD. “Netherlands! The Low Countries derby is big, as they are our neighbours, and it is like a continental derby. Four years ago, we went back to the Trophy after losing to the Netherlands, but we got our revenge last year by defeating them to qualify for the Final Qualification Tournament. So, for now, the result is 1-1. Let’s see what happens this year.”
IM. “Netherlands, our neighbours. This rivalry has been going on for quite a while, but in the last few years we have played some ‘winners take all’ kind of games, which makes the Low Countries derby even bigger.”
And opposition players, who are the ones you enjoy watching or playing against the most?
IM. “I have two: the Lelos Davit Niniashvili and Los Leones Imanol Urraza. Luckily for us, we aren’t in the same pool as Georgia, but who knows, we might face them. As for Urraza, I played with him in Australia, and he is a great guy and player.”
JMD. “Beka Gorgadze. He is an excellent player who performs well in any competition he participates in. I identify with him because he is a strong, physical player. And the other one is Samuel Marques. I hate playing against him, as he is frantic and excellent, but sometimes complains a bit too much! There’s a Portugal with and without Samuel Marques.”
Now, second but last question and one that is important: favourite Belgian traditional dish? Isaac, can you pick a main dish?
IM. “Boulets à la Liégeoise. Juicy meatballs drenched in an apple and onion gravy, served with fries. It is originally from Liége!”
JMD. “You can’t go wrong with a Belgian waffle! Simple, without any topping. Au naturel, and if you great ones in Brussels Gare du Midi.”
To wrap up this talk, can you share with us what it means to be part of Belgium’s history?
JMD. “For me, Belgium means my grandfather, who has already passed away. The day that I debuted for his country of birth, he showed how proud he was by showing our genealogy and our Belgian ancestors. Every time I play nowadays, I remember him and why I love to play for Belgium.”
IM. "Belgium has always been a small country between a few big ones, but at the end of the day, we know our value, and we fight for our space. We might not be big in area, but in heart and soul we are, and that’s what counts.”
© Dennis van de Sande
Belgium will kick off their Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2026 campaign against Portugal on February 7th, and you can purchase the tickets on the official website and watch the game live on LN24 in Belgium and on Rugby Europe TV from abroad.
By Francisco Isaac
