NPR

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed Jul 07, 2021 11:00 am Romania already has a pro (ish) set up, right?

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Sun Jun 27, 2021 7:50 am

First NL try certainly was a good 'un! Georgia's second-half try by the #15 a good solo effort though I guess the Dutch were tiring by that point, think he got the last one too and looks like a handy player.

In fact the #15 scored 3 tries, Niniashvili is only 18 Plays for Lyon.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Sat Jul 10, 2021 9:50 am Strong Portugal team with a number of Top14/ProD2 players and a really great backs line. They'll play the game the Netherlands aspire to. Could be a feast of running rugby this afternoon

If Portugal play like they did against Spain, the Dutch will probably have to wait a bit longer before making an impression on the Championship table.

Portugal have genuine aspirations to qualify for RWC2023, this is a must-win for them - it all could come down to which team slips up against the Dutch.

Speaking of the Dutch, their project is to qualify for RWC2027. I was in Amsterdam last Sunday for NL U16 training (my son is in that squad) and the new RugbyNL Director gave a brief speech about how it is all working towards RWC2027 and that some of you U16 players could be part of that squad in 6 years time. Great bit of bait to dangle

Of course it means staying in the REC for the foreseeable, working their way up to Russia / Romania level which will be a tough but not impossible ask.

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 1:27 pm Reminds me that I meant to post the last fixtures of the 2021 Championship

06/11/2021 : NETHERLANDS V RUSSIA
13/11/2021 : ROMANIA V NETHERLANDS
14/11/2021 : SPAIN V RUSSIA
18/12/2021 : NETHERLANDS V SPAIN

That's 3 tough games for Netherlands to avoid losing all the REC games this year

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 07, 2021 8:28 am Result was Netherlands 8 - 35 Russia ( 0 - 14 at halftime)

Spanish rugby international Kawa Leauma, 32, dies after an accidental fall

Spanish international Kawa Leauma has died following an accident in which he fell from a building in the Netherlands. The 32-year-old lock reportedly fell "six to eight metres", suffering severe head injuries. The New Zealand-born forward underwent two emergency operations, but died in hospital in Amsterdam on Tuesday.

Leauma had travelled to the Netherlands for Spain's Six Nations B match, but did not play in the game. "We regret to announce the death of Kawa Leauma," said Spain's Rugby Federation.

The Federation declined to give more information "at the express wish of his wife", after her husband's "freak accident". Leauma played for Samoa Under-20s, several Auckland clubs and Sydney Rays before moving to Spain, where he joined first division club Ordizia.

He made one unofficial appearance for Spain but was left out of the 52-7 victory in Amsterdam, which also served as a World Cup qualifier, because of questions over his eligibility.

"Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Spain international Kawa Leauma," tweeted former England captain and World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont.

"My thoughts are with his team-mates and family at this difficult time."

Mr Tim Buktoo wrote: ↑Sun Feb 06, 2022 12:55 pm Caught the last 10mins of it. 25-25.
Thought poite had retired.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Feb 07, 2022 1:12 pm Is this one hell of a result for Portugal, about par for a coming force or Georgia on the slide?

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Sat Feb 12, 2022 10:56 am Halftime score: Russia 17 - 25 Spain

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Sat Feb 12, 2022 12:05 pm Both sides scored 4+ tries but don't think there are any bonus points as they use the "French Way" where you have score three tries more than the opponents. Russia get a losing BP but it doesn't help them enough in the RWC qualification and barring freak results I guess they are out of contention now.

Romania v Portugal will hopefully be as much of a cracker...

westport wrote: ↑Sat Feb 12, 2022 12:22 pm Thoroughly enjoyed Russia v Spain a great way to spend the morning. As was mentioned in commentary - more turns than a mountain road.