The Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2026 is just a weeks shy from starting, and to get us in the mood we invited a few players from each of the eight contestants to share their views, opinions and emotions about their team and country.
For Spain we have the captain and Stade Français hooker Alvaro Garcia, and Real Ciencias scrum half, Estanislao ‘Tani’ Bay to talk about all things Spain.
Alvaro and Tani, you both are just one year and half away from playing in the World Cup, built on the back of years of sacrifice, fight and believe. Your passion for Spain is noticeable… but what it really means? And it means to be a Leone?
Alvaro Garcia. “It means having the opportunity to wear a special jersey, Spain’s jersey. I started playing rugby when I was little, and watching the seniors giving their all for that symbol. To be a Leones is to be part of something unique. It makes you feel very fortunate for having this opportunity.”
Estanislao Bay. “I second Alvaro. I feel proud being part of such a culture and team. It is a wonderful experience to represent something as big as the Leones, who are part of who I am, and being able to enjoy every moment of it.”
You are nowadays a core part of Pablo Bouza’s best 23 and are already a household name in the Spanish rugby community. Can you tell us when it all started? When did you first watch a game from the Leones?
EB. “Pablo Miejimolle, who’s a good friend of mine, played for the Leones, and one day I came along and watched them play. It made quite an impact on me, and it made me want to be part of it all.”
AG. “I can’t recall the first, but I do remember one that made me feel the happiest ever. It was when Spain had qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, defeating Portugal at the Complutense. I was with friends, and it was such a wonderful day and an astonishing feeling. That campaign made me want to become a Leone even more.”
And your debut? Do you still hold good memories of when and how it went? Were you expecting to play for your country?
AG. “Against Canada in 2023! That was my first cap, and it was a special moment for me, as I had been working hard to deserve that chance, and the staff saw it was the right moment to give me a chance. I will never forget it as I loved every single minute, although I was very nervous before the game starting.”
EB. “I wasn’t expecting to play for Spain in my life, but when the chance arose, I couldn’t say no. I recall my debut was against the Netherlands, and I was quite relaxed for the game. I ended up performing well and scored even a try. It was only possible due to my teammates, who helped me since I took my first steps as a Leone.”
Now, as you both have played more than 15 matches for the Leones, what was the most special one for you, crowd wise?
EB. “For me, it was our match against the Netherlands in 2025. It was key for our World Cup qualification hopes. The stands were packed with fans dressed in Spain’s colours, and they were loud the whole game, always supporting us. For me, it is between that match and the one we played versus the Pumas in 2023.”
AG. “Although there were quite a few great Men’s Rugby Europe Championship games, I have to pick our game against Fiji in 2025, as it was my first as a captain. The stands were packed with our fans, and we came so close to beating Fiji. It was a tough clash, but we showed where we want to go and that we ain’t going to stop until we reach that level.”
If you have an extra game that you would like to share please feel free to…
AG. “The game that qualified us for the 2027 Rugby World Cup was another one that I really enjoyed. We felt so relieved when the match ended, because we had gone through so much and deserved to accomplish this. Combine the importance of the game with the heavy support that was there for both sides, and it was a special, memorable game.”
EB. “I agree with Alvaro, as that Swiss game was special as well. We qualified for the World Cup after that match! How can it not be special? We were a bit nervous and there was tension, but nothing was going to stop us from achieving our dreams and goals.”
© Neil Dodd
Now, rivals. First… what is Spain’s main and fiercest rival?
EB. "Portugal, 100%. It is the derby! I haven’t enjoyed that many matches against Romania and Georgia, but every time we play against Portugal, you can feel the tension and how competitive it gets.”
AG. “For my generation, Georgia is our rival, as we in the U18S and U20S faced them so many times. Portugal as well, but right now, the Lelos is the biggest shark in our universe’s waters, and we need to take it down. We have a score to settle with Georgia, in the good sense. They are our rivals, always one step ahead, but we need to be on the same level as them. We have to win and finally win the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship for the first time.”
And rival players that you enjoy playing against the most? Anyone worthy of mentioning?
AG. “I have two! Rafaelle Storti, who played in the same club as me, and Davit Niniashvili. Raf is a hard worker and a magical player, with the same being applied to Niniashvili. Davit plays at such a high level and is that kind of player that you don’t want to play against. Massive respect for both.”
EB. “I tend to follow and enjoy playing against my rival scrum-halves. Samuel Marques and Vaska Lobzhanidze are my favourites. They play in France, and it is always a challenge to face them.”
What are the teammates that you enjoy the most spending time in while in camps?
EB. “Iñaki Mateu. I’m lucky enough to play with him, as he has become a great friend of mine. I am a very good friend of his brother, with whom I played in the past as well. Vicente Boronat is also another one that I enjoy playing alongside.”
AG. “Santi Ovejero! Unfortunately, we can’t be in the pitch at the same time (or maybe we can?), but we are good mates, and I like to share time with him. He has helped me develop as a hooker, teaching and guiding me throughout my youth pathway. He is fun and a great character.”
And traditions… are there any team traditions you can share with the public without disclosing any secrets?
AG. “After dinner, we don’t leave the table and stay seated for hours playing cards or music, telling jokes and stories, and remembering moments that meant everything to us. It is in these moments of sharing that you understand why we play as we play, why we are close to each other, as we like to share and understand each other.”
EB. “We have another tradition that impacts those gatherings after the meal. We throw a die, and depending on the number, a group of players has to put on a show for the others. It can be singing a song, doing a spectacle, whatever. We normally do it the night before the games, so we can relax a bit.”
Now, for fans travelling to Spain to watch you play against Switzerland this February… what should they get when they go to a traditional Spanish restaurant? Alvaro, you can go first: main or dessert?
AG. “Main! A traditional Paella from Valencia! Don’t try anything too fancy, just stick with the classic one. It is sensational.”
EB. “For dessert then I would recommend what it is called la leche frita. Is basically flour combined with milk and sugar, and you cook it until it is thick like a dough. Then you portion it, fry it, and you can put a topping like sugar."
To finish… what does Spain represent to both of you?
EB. “It has become my home. I have grown here, married, and played for the national team. It means a lot and everything to me.”
AG. “Spain means so many things. It is my home, where I grew up, where most of my family and friends live. It is a unique and special place, somewhere where I want to live someday again.”
Spain will kick off their campaign in the Netherlands, where the Leones will meet the Oranje on February 7th, the opener for the 2026 Men’s Rugby Europe Championship. You can purchase the tickets on the official website and watch the game live on RTVE Play and Teledeporte in Spain and on Rugby Europe TV from abroad.
By Francisco Isaac
