The inaugural season of the World Rugby Nations Cup has already kicked off, and Georgia, Romania, Portugal and Spain are touring the American continent looking to showcase the best of the Rugby Europe game has to offer.
The Lelos landed a 41-34 win over Uruguay, while Spain allowed Canada to earn a 42-point try in the game’s last play, and Portugal and Romania conceded losses to the United States of America and Chile.
But what players made a statement? And did our Rugby Europe representatives show their best?
Let’s head to our review of the Round 1 proceedings!
Lelos from uncertainty to kick off in great fashion
Pierre-Henry Broncan’s era as the new boss of the Lelos began with a well-rounded win, as Georgia overcame Uruguay 41-34 at Montevideo’s Estádio Charrúa.
With Luka Matkava bagging 19 of the 41 points, Georgia had to pull their weight to bypass a Los Teros side that looked determined to beat their European counterparts.
However, the Georgian set-piece, mainly the scrum, did a fine job of stalling the Uruguayan momentum with replacement props Bachuki Tchumbadze and Luka Petriashvili playing a crucial role in how the second half unfolded.
Ultimately, the result was more than deserved, as Georgia led at halftime (20-15) and trailed only twice throughout the entire match.
Provence’s Tornike Jalagonia was one of the Lelos top performers, clinching two dominant tackles, one successful jackal, one try and sixteen successful tackle attempts.
The 2026 Men’s Rugby Europe Championship runners-up now head to Chile, where they will be challenged by Samoa this Saturday at 8 pm (GMT).
Georgia 41-34 Uruguay
Tries: Luka Matkava, Nikolozi Sutidze, Tornike Jalagonia, Mikheil Alania and Penalty Try
Conversions: Matkava (4)
Penalties: Luka Matkava (2)
Los Leones fell short of a win
The fans who flocked to the stands at Clarke Stadium were treated to a spectacular tussle, with Spain and Canada combining for 84 points and finishing in a 42–42 draw after 80 minutes of play.
Pablo Bouza was targeting a win and came close when Kerman Aurrekoetxea ran triumphantly unopposed to ground the ball between the goalposts with one minute left on the clock. However, Canada immediately gathered the ball from kick-off and, after several phases, struck in the corner, with Takoda McMullin converting from the corner to level the game for the final time.
Los Leones performed at a high level, attack-wise, scoring six tries and amassing 380 running metres, breaking through the Canadian defence five times. Veteran utility back John Wessel Bell sparked several key plays for Spain, making two try assists and more than 130 running metres in a fine outing from the 36-year-old.
Despite the impressive try-galore performance, Spain’s defence experienced a rough afternoon, as Canada managed to slice open the opposition and struck six tries. Nonetheless, Spain has collected 3 points and currently stands in 2nd place in the Nations Cup Pool B.
The Spanish national team will stay put in Edmonton as they face Tonga on Saturday at 10.45 PM (GMT).
Spain 42-42 Canada
Tries: Alberto Carmona, Antonio Ray Suarez, Estanislao Bay (2), Luca Tabarot, Kerman Aurrekoetxea
Conversions: Gonzalo Lopez (6)
Valiant Stejarii flirted with a win over at Santiago
David Gérard’s Romania took the fight to Chile and seriously challenged the home side, but it wasn’t enough to secure a positive result, as the Cóndores claimed a 48-31 victory.
With Marius Simionescu back in the fold, Romania looked menacing in open play, finding their way through the Chilean defence six times, putting on a good show for the 16,000 fans in the stands at Santiago’s Estadio Nacional.
Unfortunately, Romania's indiscipline paved the way for Chile to come out on top, as the visiting European side conceded 13 penalties and had two players sent to the sin-bin.
Even so, Romania’s performance was exciting and exhilarating with Adrian Mitu putting a sensational shift, as the No.8 collected two line breaks, 80 running metres, six defenders beaten, nineteen carries and one try.
Concerning the game’s flow, Romania trailed by 10 points at halftime and briefly threatened to take the lead. However, Andrei Mahu's yellow card shifted the momentum firmly in Chile's favour, enabling the hosts to establish a lead they never relinquished.
This Saturday, Romania will fly to Montevideo, where they will be welcomed by the home side, Uruguay, in a match scheduled for 6 PM (GMT).
Chile 48-31 Romania
Tries: Adrian Emanuel Mitu Stefan Buruiana, Dylan Raymond Schwartz and Marius Simionescu
Conversions: Gabriel Rupanu (4)
Penalties: Gabriel Rupanu (1)
Eagles vanquish Lobos with a late penalty kick
Portugal came very close to securing a victory against the USA, but a late penalty kick by Christopher Hilsenbeck ultimately sealed a 30–29 win for the home team in a match played at Denver's DICK'S Sporting Goods Park.
It was a game of ups and downs for the Lobos, with the attack of the reigning Men's Rugby Europe Championship champions proving to be a highlight of the match, featuring several spectacular plays by Vincent Pinto, Raffaele Storti, Samuel Marques, and Manuel Vareiro.
Unfortunately for them, Vareiro and Pedro Vicente were ejected from the match following 20-minute red cards, giving the Eagles a chance to get back into the game, which they ultimately took.
Simon Mannix’s side held a 12-point lead midway through the first half but lost control of the match after being reduced to 14 men (and later to 13 following Martim Bello's yellow card), trailing 21–19 at halftime.
The Lobos reclaimed the lead one final time through Manuel Cardoso Pinto's fourth try of the match, but a late penalty from Christopher Hilsenbeck secured a one-point victory for the Eagles.
Cardoso Pinto proved a handful for the USA defence throughout the contest, evading 10 would-be tacklers and scoring four tries in a standout performance.
Portugal will head to Edmonton to face Canada, with the game scheduled for 2 AM on July 12th (GMT).
USA 30-29 Portugal
Tries: Manuel Cardoso Pinto (4)
Conversions: Samuel Marques (2) and Hugo Aubry (1)
Penalties: Samuel Marques (1)
By Francisco Isaac
Images: Getty/World Rugby
