The Men's Rugby Europe Trophy is back, and six nations will begin battling it out for this season’s honours in the second flight of Men’s XV competitions.
From last season’s winners, Czechia, to the newcomers, Malta, supporters will have plenty of rugby entertainment to follow starting this Saturday!
But before we share some tidbits and details about each contest, let's briefly break down how the competition will work this season.
The competition will follow a single round-robin format, beginning on October 31 and concluding on April 2, 2027, with the top-ranked team declared the annual champion.
In the previous edition, which used a two-year format, Poland ultimately prevailed, earning promotion to the Men's Rugby Europe Championship, while Czechia and Sweden finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
And before you jump into our guide, remember that you can follow every single second of the action on Rugby Europe TV.
Czechia
- Player to watch: Samuel Dupuy (centre) and Adam Miracky (winger)
- Head coach: David Courteix
- Last season's ranking: 2nd
Czechia are on the rise, and after coming close to clinching promotion to the Men's Rugby Europe Championship for the first time in decades, they'll look to take the next step in this new season of the Men's Rugby Europe Trophy.
Under David Courteix's cunning guidance, Czechia has developed an agile, physical forward pack that can play with the ball and combine brilliantly with a menacing, speed-induced backline ready to pounce.
With the Bohemia Rugby Warriors as the backbone of the Czech national team, they are undoubtedly one of the main title contenders.
Sweden
- Player to watch: Ale Loman (prop) and Lukas Edström (flanker)
- Head coach: Alex Laybourne
- Last season's ranking: 3rd
Sweden came close to doing something remarkable, pushing Czechia and Poland hard over the last two seasons in what has been a slow but very promising climb up the ladder. Prop Ale Loman, who won't be available for the opening game of the campaign, and Lukas Edström are two of Sweden's biggest threats, leading a squad with some of the Trophy's most special talent and promise.
After two years adapting to the demands of the Men's Rugby Europe Trophy, the Swedish national team, led by Alex Laybourne, enters a new season that will be more than a stepping stone to success; it will be a climb toward something greater, including a title challenge.
Germany
- Player to watch: Nikolai Klewinghaus-Hacker (utility back) and Hassan Rayan (lock)
- Head coach: Michael Poppmeier
- Last season's ranking: 8th in the Men's Rugby Europe Championship
A new dawn for Germany: after a few years in the Men's Rugby Europe Championship, they'll compete in the Trophy, aiming to return to the top and make the most of their newest generation, determined to put their nation back in its rightful place.
This new era for the Schwarze Adler will be under the tutelage of Michael Poppmeier, one of German rugby's greatest legends, who will seek to develop a style of play that suits a squad brimming with talent, ability, and the potential to achieve something more.
With fans expecting the likes of Nikolai Klewinghaus-Hacker to set off fireworks, Germany can do the extraordinary, as shown by last season's win over Romania. At the same time, it will be key for them to have their powerful enforcers ready to control the board, with players like Hassan Rayan in that role.
While Czechia and Sweden are contenders, Germany is unquestionably the Men's Rugby Europe Trophy top dog, looking to assert its dominance and class.
Men's Trophy 2026/27 Teams
Lithuania
- Player to watch: Laurynas Vincas Marcinkus (loose forward)
- Head coach: Mantvydas Tveraga
- Last season's ranking: 4th place
Lithuania has quietly established itself in the Men's Rugby Europe Trophy, a side capable of posing a strong challenge to the contenders and taking solid wins against the rest.
Although they only managed to clinch a decisive win against Croatia in the 2026/2027 season, their progress can't be ignored, as they've consistently narrowed the gap to the top, looking more threatening year by year. Powered by bolstering forward pack operators like Laurynas Marcinkus and some of the competition's most exciting speedsters, don't take your eyes off Kestutis Karbauskas, Lithuania has all the resources to do something remarkable in the next few years.
While they won't be in contention to win this year's Men's Rugby Europe Trophy, the opposition can't take them lightly, or they might be in for a massive surprise.
Denmark
- Player to watch: Dan Wiggins (scrum-half)
- Head coach: Andreas Robertson
- Last season's ranking: 5th place
Another young nation determined to leave its mark, Denmark deserves full attention; its steps are fueled by ambition, drive, and the belief it can reach a new level in the years to come.
In the season that ended last April, Denmark beat Lithuania in one of the competition's most exhilarating matches (38-34), a game in which they showed such eloquence with the ball in their hands that the Lithuanians couldn't find a way to comeback.
But 2026/2027 will be an entirely new challenge for the team commanded by Andreas Robertson, who needs to take a leap if they dream of taking the next step on the ladder. What's certain is that they have enough player resources to rattle teams like Germany and Czechia, with the Wiggins brothers and the brick wall on wheels Mikel Andresen ready to take another Trophy season by the horns.
Malta
- Player to watch: Robert Holloway (fly-half)
- Head coach: Phil Pretorius
- Last season's ranking : promoted from the Conference
The newcomers, Malta, will enjoy the Trophy lights but won't be here just to make up the numbers, as their Conference form showed last season. From the start of last season, Malta were formidable in their relentless pursuit of promotion, decisively defeating Andorra, Cyprus, Israel, and Austria in the access playoff game to claim the title and a chance to play in Rugby Europe's second division.
So, what should you know about them? The Holloway brothers, Tom and Robert, are two of the side's most dangerous operators, alongside no.8 Joseph Greaves, who can unlock any defence with his formidable physicality and handling ability. While most will expect Malta to fight to avoid relegation, be aware they have the knack and belief to unsettle any opposition that takes them lightly.
