With the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship just a few days away, it is that time of the year when our journalist Francisco Isaac picks his “Ones to Watch”, but this time around in a 23-team list format.
Find out who made the cut, and the rationale behind his picks.
Netherlands Koen Bloemen and Georgia’s Davit Niniashvili were two players not referenced not by choice, due to the possibility of not being available for selection for the first few rounds of the tournament.
Loosehead Prop – Thierry Futeu (Spain)
We start off the list with one of the most emblematic and most excellent props to ever have played in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship, and that’s Thierry ‘Titi’ Futeu.
The colossal prop can play on either side of the scrum and is one of his team’s fiercest ball carriers in the Rugby Europe game. Truly a frightening (but spectacular) sight to behold.
Hooker – Álvaro García (Spain)
One of the Leones leaders and a hooker so precise that he could be a surgeon, as he doesn’t miss, nor does he tremble when he has to throw the ball in the lineout.
The young front-rower has enough speed and gas to act as a loose forward, always on the move and trying to get involved in active play. Alongside his skills as a hooker, his leadership ability and mindset have been influential in taking Spain to another level.
Tighthead Prop – Giorgi Melikidze (Georgia)
Five years after his last game for the Lelos, the showstopper Giorgi Melikidze is back, and he will throw down the gauntlet come the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship.
The loosehead prop is currently one of Stade Français’ most in-form players, breaking tackles and mashing loosehead props at every scrum. The Lelos can only feel happy to have him back in the fray!
Lock – Andrei Mahu (Romania)
Another colossal giant that rules the lineout skies and dominates the contact game. Andrei Mahu is a legend in the making for the Stejarii, as his hold persona conveys a ferocious, loyal and fierce player who will do whatever he can to give his team an edge in the forward pack tussle.
Having ascended to a leadership role in 2025, Mahu is a superb off-the-ball worker who tirelessly pushes until he has no gas left.
Lock – José Madeira (Portugal)
The catchphrase ‘works well like a Swiss swatch’ should change to ‘works well like a Madeira lock’ as José Madeira is one, if not the most precise player of the entirety of the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship universe.
The FC Grenoble giant can play either as a lock or a member of the loose forward trio, collecting tackles, turnovers, lineout steals and jackals, having come out of the previous two editions of the Rugby Europe Championship without missing a single tackle. He is undoubtedly one of the Lobos' finest players to come out of the youth pathway system.
If Belgium were in contention to reach the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Jean-Maurice Decubber was indisputably one of the reasons the Diables Noirs had a good shot, as the flanker's off-the-ball work, relentless mindset, and jackling skills were key to their qualification for the Final Qualification Tournament.
His in-game vision, combined with his hunger to keep going, makes him one of the scariest flankers in the entire competition.
Openside flanker – Nicolás Martins (Portugal)
Portugal loves to develop sensational openside flankers; after Vasco Uva and Julien Bardy, they now have Nicolás Martins, one of their greatest operators, who’s been class since his debut in 2022.
Martins is a slick ball carrier who fits nicely into the backline, giving Portugal an extra advantage when they are running amok. His defensive abilities match the quality of his offensive play; he has consistently ranked among the top three tacklers in the Men’s REC season for three consecutive years, demonstrating his exceptional talent.
Number Eight – Beka Gorgadze (Georgia)
We have used this expression more than once, but Beka Gorgadze is the true manifestation of a battering ram powered with a V8 engine. His prowess at throwing tacklers to the ground is just astonishing, winning precious contact meters that give the Lelos backline more space to execute their plays.
The Section Paloise number-eight is a stern leader, ready to sacrifice his body and mind for his team and teammates without any fears or doubts, and will be key to their title renewal aspirations.
Scrum Half – Estanislao Bay (Spain)
Welcome to the Leones rockstar Estanislao ‘Tani’ Bay! The Spanish scrum half is a skilful ball runner who loves to elude, trick and leave in-coming tacklers completely puzzled to why they can’t get their hands on him.
His swift passing skills have unlocked the opposing try-are to Spain more than once, with Bay always on the lookout for a way in even when it seems there’s no path forward.
For those who are looking for a fun and enticing ride in the form of a rugby player, ‘Tani’ Bay is the one to go for.
Fly Half – Matias Remue (Belgium)
Simply magical. Matias Remue is a stunning player who will enshrine a new era for the Diables Noirs and who will certainly steal the show time and time again.
His game management and handling skills are among the finest in the entire Rugby Europe universe, always working on a plan to get his team inside the opposition’s 22.
While it is not confirmed if he will be available for the first two games, it is expected that Remue will be up and running for the Men’s REC endgame.
Wing – Akaki Tabutsadze (Georgia)
Tries, tries and more tries. Akaki Tabutsadze is Rugby Europe’s greatest ever try scorer and, despite a scoreless last few months, the Georgian wing will be ready to raid and pillage the opposing try-area again.
Tabutsadze has played a critical role in Georgia’s prolific attack, always finding a way to thread the needle and sprint to the finish line.
So, are you ready to witness Tabutsadze expand his record in pursuit of reaching the top-3 all-time try scorers of the world of rugby?
Inside Centre – Taylor Gontineac (Romania)
Taylor Gontineac is certainly following his father, Romeo’s, footsteps, as the Romanian raging centre is a tough one to stop on the spot due to his staggering physicality and relentless mindset.
However, Gontineac’s impact on Romania doesn’t start and end with his physicality, as there’s much more to him than that. His agility, pace, and ability to pop an unexpected offload give an extra dimension to the Stejarii attack, which will undoubtedly pose a threat to any opposition.
Outside centre – Rodrigo Marta (Portugal)
The greatest backline player in the whole Men’s Rugby Europe Championship besides Davit Niniashvili? Rodrigo Marta’s stats speak for themselves, as he continuously contends for the top of the defenders beaten, clean breaks, running meters and successful gain line per carry leaderboards of the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship.
Marta is the kind of player who doesn’t know how or when to stop, pushing his body beyond human limits and cracking open gaps in his bid to take Portugal to the final.
Wing – Martiniano Cian (Spain)
Another prolific try scorer who has no problem running the full length if it means to give Spain a key push in a make-or-break kind of game.
Martiniano Cian is pure entertainment, who has climbed through the ranks to become one of Spain’s most played operators in the last few years, contributing with twelve tries and a lot of stellar moments.
With the help of Lucien Richardis, Gonzalo Lopez-Bontempo, Gonzalo Vinuesa and JW Bell, Cian is unlocking his full potential and will certainly spell trouble for whoever has to deal with him.
Fullback – Manuel Vareiro (Portugal)
Potentially one of the most talented Portuguese backs developed in the last five years, Manuel Vareiro seems ready to be a force to be reckoned with in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship, having made his debut in 2025.
The young Provence rugby utility back has the gift to turn any game upside down with just a flick of his wrists, creating spaces and gaps for his teammates to run through, fuelling Portugal’s attack with the top-notch plays.
The young Provence rugby utility back has the gift to turn any game upside down with just a flick of his wrists, creating spaces and gaps for his teammates to run through, fuelling Portugal’s attack with the top-notch plays.
POWER BENCH
16 – Alexandru Savin (Romania): the Rugby crossfitter, Alexandru Savin, is a scrum maestro that deserves your time and respect.
17 – Vano Karkadze (Georgia)
18 – Joel Merkler (Spain)
19 – Justin Renc (Germany)
20 – Jessy Jegerlehner (Switzerland): Be amazed by one of Switzerland’s best: Jessy Jegerlehner's tackling game is among the most polished in the entire competition.
21 – Boris Hadingoro (Netherlands): If you like scrum-halves like Samuel Marques and Estanislao Bay, might we suggest Boris Hadingoro, one of the most exhilarating and vibrant nº9s in the Rugby Europe universe?
22 – Lucien Richardis (Spain): a proper rugby wizard who’s taking the right steps to become an all-time favourite. Richardis is not only a lot of fun but also an astute game manager who offers solutions to the toughest problems.
23 – Hinckley Vaovasa (Romania)
