A low-land derby, Warriors host Wolves and Black Lion travel to Spain in the second week or RE Super Cup action
After the Lusitanos earned a hard-fought victory against the Iberians, it is time for the other teams in the competition to take to the field in the 2024 Rugby Europe Super Cup.
To get ready for it, here are some facts and quotes from the Black Lion, Delta, Brussels Devils, Romanian Wolves and Bohemia Rugby Warriors.
BLACK LION VS IBERIANS
DATA CENTRE
- The Castilla y Léon Iberians have never won against the Black Lion. The closest was in 2022, when the Spanish franchise lost by just three points in a tense semi-final.
- Akaki Tabutsadze has a knack of crossing the Iberians try-line, having scored five-times over the course of four games against the Iberians.
- Sam Katz was the player with most points scored in a single match between the two sides, as the former Iberians fly-half dotted down twenty points in 2022.
What the Captain’s Said:
As the Iberians’ captain, Pablo Rascón, has already revealed the Spanish goals for the 2024 season, it is time to give the mic to Luka Ivanishvili, the Black Lion’s new skipper.
Luka, what can we expect from our three-time champions?
First of all, our goal is winning the Cup again and defeating all four teams convincingly. Fans should expect from us a high-tempo, fast game and dominance in the scrum.
Why is the 2024 Rugby Europe Super Cup important for your team?
These games are crucial for Black Lion as we have 11 debutants.
MATCH PREVIEW
It’s a new era for the Black Lion, as a few of their main players have left the franchise, opening a couple of slots in the roster. Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Vladimer Chachanidze, Guga Ghaniashvili, and Vasil Kakovin were some of the new summer additions and they will certainly mean trouble for the Iberians and Lusitanos.
The Iberians had a great first-half in their visit to Jamor last week, and if they find a way to extend their good performance for the full 80 minutes, they can dare to dream of achieving something special.
One of the must-watch duels of the game will be between Pablo Ráscon and Demur Tapladze. Both have an influence on how their teams operate, and whoever takes the advantage will dictate the game’s tempo.
DELTA VS BRUSSELS DEVILS
DATA CENTRE
- The Low Countries derby in franchise form has produced some of the most exciting games in the RE Super Cup, with the Devils edging the duel by just one win. Until last season, they were tied with two wins each.
- Daan Van der Avoird still holds the record for the top try-scorer of the Low Countries Super Cup clashes, as the Dutch winger crossed the whitewash five times.
- Robin Vermeersch is one of the few players to have played in all past five-games, having scored one try in 2022.
What the Players Said:
Felipe Geraghty and Stijn Albers will lead the Devils and Delta, respectively, in 2024, and we asked what their season’s goals are.
Felipe, what is your team expecting in 2024?
Our main goal is to prepare the players of the local club scene to be ready to play a part in the Belgian national team. These matches grant us precious time and experience to prepare for international games. It will work like a Test Match scenario, allowing us to close the gap between our local league and the national side.
And for Delta, what objectives has your team set their sights on?
In its core, Delta was created to promote Dutch rugby nationally and internationally. It is a platform for players to grow and improve themselves on an international stage and at a higher level than the national competition.
For 2024, Delta strives to finish at the top of our table. With a challenging pool, it will be interesting to see how the results shake out. The boys have been working hard and the team is firing on all cylinders.
So, Felipe you agree that the RE Super Cup is essential for the Devils future?
The competition allows Belgian local players to test themselves at a higher level and be familiar with the Black Devils system. On another hand, it also allows the staff to see how each player performs in these conditions, testing new strategies, and finding and developing new young talents from the local league.
Stijn, is the RE Super Cup vital for the Netherlands?
The Super Cup has been a great addition to the rugby menu within Rugby Europe. For the Netherlands and Delta, it facilitates the local players with a higher level of competition and the possibility to gain experience playing internationally. This is a must for the growth of the sport and its professional level within the Netherlands.
I think the growth of Delta within the Super Cup over the past 4 years has had a direct effect on the growth of the national team and its performance. With great coaching and leadership from Lyn Jones and the rest of the staff for both Delta and the national side, our goals are aligned, and we have a clear target in our sights.
For me personally, it is just the same as the rest of the players. The Super Cup is a platform to develop and better myself to reach the national team selection. I have been part of Delta since its inaugural game in 2021, and you can see how much the team has grown and become more competitive in the competition. Being part of Delta and competing in the Super Cup has allowed me to grow as a player and reach 2 caps for the national team so far.
MATCH PREVIEW
It is a close match to call, as both have a good chance to come out as the winner. Delta has never conceded a defeat as hosts against the Devils, and the fact they will have their best 23 available will make things tougher for the visiting side. Odin Ruijgrok, Tommasso Fricano, Mark Coebergh, Daan Van der Avoird, and David Weersma are some of the biggest stars in the Dutch team.
As for the Devils, it will be key for them to have Curtis Moucheron and Henri Dequenne at their best, and ready to deploy their best set of tricks to crack open more than a few holes in the Delta line.
A final word for Sebastien Guns and Lyn Jones. Both coaches will provide a super tactical approach, one that has the potential to steal the show.
BOHEMIA RUGBY WARRIORS VS ROMANIA WOLVES
DATA CENTRE
- Only one game has been played between Czechs and Romanians, with the Wolves coming out on top in 2023 with a 76-07 scoreline.
- Paul Popoaia was the Player of the Match in 2024, slotting 16-points from his boot and grabbing a try himself.
What the Captain’s Said:
Bohemia Rugby Warriors captain, Dan Hošek and Romanian Wolves captain, Ovidiu Cojocaru
Dan, what have your side set as goals for the season?
The goals for this season are clear. We feel pressure as there are other teams interested in joining the RE Super Cup, therefore for us, it is necessary to defend our participation in the competition, so we can continue developing our young players in the best tournaments. We want to be competitive and display a high-quality performance.
So, for the Czech national team is imperative to stay in the Rugby Europe Super Cup?
It is a competition that provides us with a great opportunity to compete against teams that possess vast experience and are packed with great talent. The Super Cup offers games that can push us to get closer to a higher level. Such games motivate each player to develop personally and to improve their skills.
Ovidiu, the Wolves finished in 3rd place in 2023 and were great… so can we expect more from your team in 2024?
We want to win every match in the competition and improve our game and play our best every time.
Why is the Rugby Europe Super Cup important for Romanian rugby?
These are very important games for us because we need to play more, to have more games to grow better as a team and a group. We all know next year is crucial for us, for all the teams who want to qualify directly for the Rugby World Cup, so we need to work a lot and have very good preparation so we can bond as a team and put on a good performance on the pitch.
On the other hand, it's a big chance for all young players, playing in these matches means they can show what they are capable of. We need new players to join Romania's seniors’ team.
MATCH PREVIEW
The Bohemia Rugby Warriors have been playing more than a few friendly games to get ready for the season, combining a mixture of talented youth and knowledgeable experience to challenge the top teams.
However, the Romanian Wolves are the favourites to take the win, as the international experience and star-power players are on the same level as the Black Lion, Lusitanos, and Iberians.
Even if both teams are not at the same level, it will be an entertaining fixture and will show how rugby is growing in the Rugby Europe members.
You can watch every game live on Rugby Europe TV on Saturday and Sunday.
Castilla y Leon Iberians v Black Lion will be live in Spain exclusively on https://www.cyltv.es/live/La7
