Georgia, Spain and Romania made it two wins from two in the Rugby Europe Championship for 2024 at the weekend while Portugal got their first win of the year.
The second round of group phase fixtures began in the Avchala Stadium in Tbilisi in Pool A when Georgia took on Netherlands.
Georgia, off the back of a win in Germany, built up a 14 -3 lead at half- time here with second-row Mikheili Babunashvili and winger Akaki Tabutsadze going over for tries and stand- off Luka Matkava converting both. A penalty from stand-off David Weersma had given Netherlands, who lost to Spain in week one, an early lead.
It was a nightmare start to the second half for Netherlands with Giorgi Kveseladze, the centre, going over for a converted try and then replacement Shane Fikken being yellow carded for the visitors.
Just as they were back to 15, a second Kveseladze try made it 26-3 and, after Netherlands suffered another yellow card later, back-row Ilia Spanderashvili scored Georgia’s final try.
Two late yellow cards for the hosts then saw Netherlands awarded a penalty try and it finished 31-10 to give Georgia a bonus point triumph.
Georgia head coach Richard Cockerill said: “We scored five good tries and it was a good win, but we have a lot to improve on moving forward.”
“Georgia were always going to put us under a lot of pressure here, so we are pleased to come away with an improvement in our performance,” Netherlands head coach Lyn Jones said.
The Estadio Universidad Complutense in Madrid was the venue for the second Group A match of the weekend on Sunday.
Winger Martiniano Cian and centre Martin Mateu scored first half tries for Spain with stand-off Bautista Guemes converting one and kicking a penalty. A five-pointer from Germany hooker Mika Tyumenev made it 15-5 at the break.
Estanislao Bay, the scrum-half and full back John Bell scored tries for Spain in the second period with the latter converted to give them a 27-5 bonus point win.
Spain head coach Pablo Bouza said: “It was a really tough match, so I am very pleased with the win and our defence was excellent.”
Germany head coach Mark Kuhlmann said: “I think we had enough ball during the game, we just weren’t clever enough with it.”
All of that means, heading into the final round of Group A games this coming weekend, Georgia are top on nine points, Spain are second also on nine points, Netherlands have one point and Germany zero.
Two matches in Pool B took place on Saturday, the Arcul de Triumf stadium in Bucharest the venue as Romania took on Belgium first up.
Romania, off the back of a win in Poland, led this one 14-6 at half-time, loosehead prop Alexandru Savin and stand-off Alin Conache scored their tries with full-back Ionel Melinte converting both. Belgium’s points came from two Jordan Gott penalties and they led 6-0 at one point, but also suffered a yellow card during the first period.
Winger Tevita Manumua scored a try early in the second half and then a penalty try was awarded meaning that Romania were suddenly 26- 6 up.
A penalty try for Belgium brought it back to 26-13 before Simeon Soenen, the visiting full-back, scored a five-pointer to make it 26-18 with 10 minutes to go.
Romania remained composed though and a converted try from replacement Florian Rosu sealed an important 33-18 bonus point win for them.
Ovidiu Cojocaru, the Romanian captain, said: “As often with Romanian teams the scrum was strong and set us up for this win, but the backs played well too.”
Belgium head coach Laurent Dossat said: “I think the best team won, but it was a very good game with both teams really showing good intentions and working hard.”
Then Portugal turned on the style at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor in Lisbon versus Poland.
Portugal had been shell-shocked by their round one loss to Belgium, but were more like their usual selves here as they won 54-7 with a bonus point.
They led 33- 7 at half-time and kept up the pressure in the second period.
Scrum-half Hugo Camacho (3), second-row Duarte Torgal, hooker Luka Begic and back-row Vasco Batista scored tries for the home side while they were awarded a penalty try too.
Poland’s try came from Peter Hudson with Dawid Banaszek converting while early in the second period both teams had players red carded.
Portugal head coach Joao Mirra said: “We are bringing in new players to the group and it was important to get the win and we will continue along this path and keep working hard.”
Poland head coach Chris Hitt said: “Congratulations to Portugal on their win, we didn’t front up physically and we allowed them to play and they took advantage of that.”
All of that means, heading into the final round of Group B games this coming weekend, Romania are leading the way on nine points, Portugal are on six points, Belgium are on four and Poland are on zero.
Tickets for the Finals at Stade Jean Bouin are now available to purchase. Public and hospitality options are still available.
