We had been considering, pre-pandemic, about getting more involved the the Rugby Europe Men’s and Women’s Championship and 7s Matches in the May/June/July timeline 2020.
The 2019-20 Women’s Championship was to serve as a pathway to the European Qualifier for the Rugby World Cup 2021 to be held in New Zealand in September. With the European Qualifier also including Ireland Women we though it would be useful to scope out the Spanish side.
With regards to the men’s competition, we’d always intended to catch up with Georgia Men after visiting Georgia for the 2017 U20 World Championships.
Obviously the pandemic had its say and the vast bulk of the matches were cancelled but the Women’s 2019 – 20 Championship recommenced last weekend with Spain whopping Russia 56 – 7 and later this afternoon Spain will play Netherlands where a draw or better will confirm Spain’s participation in the Rugby Europe World Cup qualifiers.
More importantly we should start and get some dates for the World Cup Qualifying playoff’s with Spain joining Ireland, Scotland and Italy to vie for two qualification options. The winner of the European playoffs will automatically qualify and second placed will go through to a final repechage where they would be favourites to win against teams from Oceania, Asia, Africa and South America.
This afternoon’s match between Spain and Netherlands will be broadcast live on Rugby Europe from 3:00pm. It clashes with the Italy v Ireland men’s Six Nations match but replays will be available via Rugby Europe at the same address.
Teams
| SPAIN | NETHERLANDS | |
|---|---|---|
| AMALIA ARGUDO LLOBREGAT | 15 | NOA DONKERSLOOT |
| ALBA VINUESA GARCIA | 14 | MIREILLE NIEUWENHUIS |
| LIDE ERBINA ARANA | 13 | HISKE BLOM |
| AMAIA ERBINA ARANA | 12 | QUEN MAKKINGA |
| BEATRIZ DOMINGUEZ SANCHEZ | 11 | LIEVE STALLMANN |
| ANNE FERNANDEZ DE CORRES DEL RIO | 10 | JORDAN HEIL |
| LUCIA DIAZ MARTIN | 9 | MARIT LEMMENS |
| SAIOA JAURENA ATXA | 1 | IRENE JANSEN |
| CRISTINA BLANCO HERRERA | 2 | ANNA JONAS |
| LAURA DELGADO DUENAS | 3 | NICKY DIX |
| ANNA PUIG DELGADO | 4 | JUDITH FRINKING |
| CARMEN CASTELLUCCI OCANA | 5 | INGER JONGERIUS |
| OLIVIA FRESNEDA FERNANDEZ | 6 | ROBIN ZUIDERHOEK |
| PAULA MEDIN LOPEZ (C) | 7 | LIZA DE WILD |
| MARIA LOSADA GIFRA | 8 | LINDE VAN DER VELDEN(C) |
| MONICA CASTELO MEJUTO | 16 | JARA BUNNIK |
| MARTA ESTELLES CHAPARRO | 17 | JULIA MORAUW |
| SIDORELLA BRACIC RODRIGUEZ | 18 | MEREL VAN KAMPEN |
| LOURDES ALAMEDA GARCIA-MORENO | 19 | MICHAJA VAN CAPEL |
| MARIA CALVO BALAGUER | 20 | TAMARA STOCK |
| MARIA GARCIA GALA | 21 | DIDO DENIER VAN DER GON |
| URIBARRI BARRUTIETA BARRENETXEA | 22 | KIM DEKKER |
| ELISABET SEGARRA CARARACH | 23 | FLORE VOOGD |