It is semifinals week for the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2026, and we are already pumped for what are going to be four nerve-wracking and brutal games.
While Georgia and Portugal host Romania and Spain for the Championship semifinals, Switzerland and Belgium will welcome Germany and the Netherlands for the Ranking semifinals.
But who’s going to come out on top? Who are the players that possess star power and can unlock the winning path for their teams?
We can’t answer those questions, but we spoke with 8 guests who shared their predictions and suggestions and answered 6 questions about the Men’s REC semifinals.
We asked our guests the following six questions:
1) The winners of each of the Championship/Ranking semifinals.
2) Player(s) you are looking forward to watch play.
3) Best Stadium from Estádio do Restelo, Yverdon les Bains Stade Municipal, Sportcomplex Sint-Gills and Avchala Stadium?
4) The head coach of the eight teams that can turnaround any game (Marco Bortolami, Pablo Bouza, Simon Mannix, David Gérard, Olivier Nier, Laurent Dossat, Bryan Easson and Mark Khulmann).
5) Pre-semifinals hot take/predictions.
6) Who would you trust to take the risk of punting a match-winning drop goal between Jules Porcher, Lucien Richardis, Manuel Vareiro, Vikas Meijer, Leo Wolf, Hinckley Vaovasa, Luka Matkava and Hugo de Francq?
Justin Middleton
Twitter profile: https://x.com/jmiddletonrugby
Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/jmiddletonrugby/?hl=en
1) Switzerland, Belgium, Georgia and Portugal.
2) Jules Porcher, Justin Renc; Felipe Geraghty, Tim de Jong, Alin Conache, Beka Saginadze, José Madeira and Lucien Richardis.
Let me explain three of them: Jules Porcher is instrumental in Switzerland’s first 2 REC wins. I can’t wait see what he has up his sleeve against Germany, after his historic winning drop goal against them in 2025. Or will Germany’s Leo Wolf, think otherwise.
As for Richardis, he is only 20 years of age, 20 points v Georgia in his 1st test start, and in the number 10 jersey. This included finishing off one of the tries of the season.
Finally, Tim de Jong. The Netherlands missed him hugely v Switzerland. De Jong is a fabulous back rower. If he is on song, the Netherlands will have a good chance of defeating Belgium.
3) Estádio do Restelo in Lisbon: A historic stadium situated in the beautiful district of Belém. The stadium sits on a hillside, and if you are sitting in the right area, you will have a gorgeous view of the Tagus River. On a side note, Portugal have played Spain twice at this venue (in 2023 and 2024) and won.
4) Nier for me. In Switzerland’s 2 Historic Men’s REC wins, they were trailing by more than 10 points at some stage in both games.
5) There will be a lot of expectation on Spain to win their semi-final v Portugal away, given the amazing two years they have had, and because they were impressive v Georgia in Roud 3. Spain also beat Portugal at the Jamor Stadium (away) in the 2025 REC semi-final. However, from what Portugal has displayed in their opening 3 rounds, there is enough to suggest that they are more than capable of beating Spain. Portugal looks cohesive, and I think Mannix knows which players make up his best 23.
In the REC, expect the unexpected. Portugal to win. I think the winner of this clash will win REC 2026.
6) Porcher. I would not be surprised he does at again v Germany, to guarantee Switzerland’s place in the 2027 REC, and that does not have to be by drop goal, it may come from a kick-pass try assist.
Jamie Lyall
Twitter profile: https://x.com/JLyall93
Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/jlyall93/?hl=en
1) Germany, Belgium, Georgia and Spain.
2) In a defining match for Germany, his class and nous must come to the fore. Each team has taken a scalp in the pool phase. This is a game for big players and strong characters to shine.
3) The 70-year-old Estadio do Restelo will be pulsing for an Iberian shootout in the semi-finals.
4) Based on personnel, you’d have to say Bortolami. He has the best squad and the most ammunition to deploy from the bench. He can change his game plan, or simply reinforce what the starters have been doing.
5) Spain will beat Portugal. For all the Lobos are racking up points, Spain can match them for firepower and, missing a whole load of front-line talent, proved how skilled and ruthless they can be in Tbilisi. With some of the heavy hitters back, I fancy them to beat their neighbours and rivals.
6) Richardis has a brilliantly nonchalant swagger and will be a superstar for Spain, but Matkava’s big-game experience edges it.
Dave Rogers
Twitter profile: https://x.com/DRoj
Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/daverogerscomms/?hl=en
1) Georgia, Portugal, Switzerland and Belgium.
2) It’s actually two as it is a partnership, Max van Hilst and Vikas Meijer. The 9-10 combo from the Netherlands. I’m enjoying what the Netherlands are doing at the moment, and Max and Vikas are playing a crucial role in their performances.
3) I have a soft spot for Yverdon-les-Bains, as when I first started doing commentary, I took the first opportunity with the Swiss union. They brought me over to do games against Poland and the Czech Republic. It is in a beautiful part of the World, lush greenery and mountains all around.
4) Marco Bortolami. Even though Georgia are massive favourites, it's so important to continue to deliver, and he is doing that.
5) Portugal vs Spain won’t be close.
6) Vikas Meijer - Man has a boot like a Mule, I've seen him drain penalties from inside his own half for Cardiff Met and I'm looking forward to seeing it for the Netherlands.
Gauthier Baudin
Twitter profile: https://x.com/GauthierBaudin
Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/gauthierbaudin/?hl=en
Twitch profile: https://www.twitch.tv/gauthierbaudin
1) Georgia, Spain, Germany and Belgium
2) Luka Matkava, Rodrigo Marta and Martiniano Cian
3) Estádio do Restelo.
4) Pablo Bouza.
5) Spain are going to surprise Portugal.
6) Luka Matkava.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVLXf-XDAL_/?hl=en
Will Owen (Squidge Rugby)
Twitter profile: @will_owen9
Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/will_owen9/?hl=en / https://www.instagram.com/squidgerugby/?hl=en
1) Germany, Belgium, Georgia, and Portugal.
2) Chris Hennig for Germany has really caught my eye lately. Lucien Richardis is on ridiculous form too. Vano Karkadze is continuing to establish himself as one of the world's best hookers. Hopefully Jose Monteiro continues his superb form.
3) Stade Municipal has become a favourite of mine. As a huge fan of Top14/ProD2 rugby, the Swiss do an amazing job of replicating the same atmosphere for emerging rugby fans. Those who love their rugby in Switzerland, clearly LOVE their rugby!
4) Mark Khulmann is doing a brilliant job with this Germany team. A legend of the game in his own right, going above and beyond to strengthen his team. The recruitment him and his coaches have done has been sublime.
5) Just because Akaki Tabutsadze hasn't been scoring tries, doesn't mean he's playing badly. He's being heavily marked and is still kicking well and creating space for others. It's the mark of a truly world class winger, which he is undoubtedly becoming. This level of patience and sensible decision making is the sort of thing he wasn't doing at the start of his career, but he is mastering now with maturity.
6) Under pressure it has to be Luka Matkava, that kid is ice cold... but from range I'm giving it to Leo Wolf! He kicks the ball for miles, the German Morne Steyn!
Daniel Díaz Grandío (Rugby Pills)
Twitter profile: @PillsRugby
Instagram profile: None
1) Georgia, Spain, Belgium and Switzerland.
2) Akaki Tabutsadze, Alin Conache, José Monteiro, Luciano Richardis, Jean-Baptiste DeClercq, Boris Hadinegoro, Jules Porcher and Leo Wolf.
3) Yverdon les Bains for me. he best rugby atmosphere at REC 2026 was there.
4) Switzerland has performed very well so far, so Olivier Nier.
5) Belgium wins the game in the last 20 minutes thanks to their good performance in the lineout-maul.
6) Luciano is young and a bit wild. If the match opens up that possibility, I think he could pull it off in the Lisbon semi-final.
Rob and Rich (Rosbifs Rugby)
Twitter profile: https://x.com/RosbifsRugby
Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/rosbifsrugby/
1) Germany, Netherlands, Georgia and Portugal.
2) Simão Bento, always superb to watch and has remained a stand out in a tough season for Stade Montois. Taylor Gotineac, also enduring a tricky season with Beziers, but such a strong presence for club and Romania.
3) Hard to look past Estádio do Restelo. Amphitheatre like building in an amazing city. Not shy of hosting some big name concerts too!
4) Belgium have endured a tricky time of it but Laurent Dossat has done amazing things there. Niort have established themselves in their first season in Nationale this year, the side he managed for many years. Shrewd thinker and an impressive coach all round.
5) In spite of losing to Switzerland, Netherlands to just sneak past Belgium.
6) Lucien Richardis – when you’re kicking practice at your club is alongside the world’s best in Thomas Ramos, that’s going to rub off! Certainly seems to have done no harm to Valentin Delpy and Kalvin Gourgues.
Jon Newscombe (RugbyPass)
Twitter profile: https://x.com/RugbyTimes
1) Georgia (50-8 vs Romania), Spain (50-20 vs Portugal), Switzerland (20-13 vs Germany) and Belgium (28-20).
2) Rafaelle Storti, for sure! I always like him play. Rodrigo Marta as well!
3) Estádio do Restelo.
4) Olivier Nier is a great operator, but I would go with Pablo Bouza, who is a master of tinkering with the team when they need.
5) None that I think of.
6) Jules Porcher!
