INTERNATIONAL RUGBY: Rugby World Cup Qualifying

03.04.2010
Belgium v Czech Republic in Prague (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 2A)

Venue: Stadium RC Slavia Praha

Referee: Reineke (Germany)

Preview
Both these teams will have to win their remaining matches and hope that the top team in the competition, Ukraine, stumbles in all of their remaining games. At the moment the Ukraine are hot favourites to take the top spot and then await the challenge from Lithuania to see who takes on the third team in ENC 1 for a repecharge place and then hopefully to the Rugby World Cup. Below is the ENC 2A table

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
UKRAINE	6	5	0	1	106	53	53	16
POLAND	6	3	0	3	81	89	-8	12
BELGIUM	6	2	1	3	60	73	-13	11
CZECH REPUBLIC	6	2	1	3	93	107	-14	11
MOLDOVA	6	2	0	4	105	125	-20	10

Both teams have two different styles of play. Czech coach Martin Kafka will not be able to field his strongest side due to French club commitments for Roman Šuster , Lukas Rapant, Paul Stastny, Robert Voves and Miroslav Nemecek. He will rely on a strong backline and a forward pack that can at least hold their own.

Belgium will use their huge and experienced pack to grind down the Czechs and then allow their back to run.

Last Five Encounters
14.03.2009 Drawn 15-15 in Brussels (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 2A)
27.05.1995 Belgium 32-13 in Brussels (WCQ Qualifying)
22.11.1986 Belgium 18-15 in Vise (FIRA B2)
19.11.1985 Czechoslovakia 14-3 in Prague (FIRA B2)
27.11.1982 Czechoslovakia 21-6 in Brussels (FIRA C)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Czech Republic 15th, Belgium 17th

Prediction: Czech Republic by 3 points

Teams

Czech Republic
15. Jan Rohlík (RC Říčany)
14. Martin Jágr (Union Bordeaux-Begles, France)
13. Václav Jursík (RC Strasbourg, France)
12. Petr Okleštěk (RC Auxerre, France)
11. Michal Jirman (RC Slavia Praha)
10. Pavel Vokrouhlík (RC Sparta Praha)
9. Vachtang Pailodze (RC Sparta Praha)
8 Josef. Bláha (RC Říčany)
7. Jiří Buryánek (RC Dragon Brno)
6. Martin Wognitsch (US Oyonnax, France)
5. Jan Kurka (C.A. Lormont, France)
4. Tomáš Holovský (St. Raphael, France)
3. Jan Benda (RC Sparta Praha)
2. Ondřej Kutil (US Oyonnax, France)
1. Jiří Skall (RC Sparta Praha)
Replacements
16. Vojtěch Mára (RC Tatra Smíchov)
17. Michal Průša (Bellegrade, France)
18. Pavel Hocke (RC Tatra Smíchov)
19. Karel Opravil (RC Brno Bystrc)
20. Milan Jirman (RC Slavia Praha)
21. Petr Čížek (RC Praga Praha)
22. Irakli Sulamanidze (RC Sparta Praha)
Head Coach: Martin Kafka

Adapted from http://sport.idnes.cz/ceske-ragbisty-ceka-dulezity-zapas-s-belgii-fk8-/sporty.asp?c=A100402_161333_sporty_min and http://www.rugbyunion.cz/konecna-nominace-na-utkani-s-belgii

Belgium
15.Sébastien Guns (Boitsfort)
14.Nicolas Meeus (Kituro)
13.Dirk Haghedooren (Agde)
11.Frédéric Rongé (Kituro)
10.Alan Williams (Castres, France)
9. Julien Berger (La Rochelle, France)
8. Charlie Fourneau (Lille, France)
7. Mika Demolder (Boitsfort)
6. Bertrand Billi (Soignies)
5. Damien Godefroy (Lille, France)
4. Mathieu Verschelden (ASUB Rugby Waterloo)
3. Alain Miriallakis (St-Etienne, France)
2. Thomas Dienst (Lille, France)
1. Christophe Debaty (Limoges, France)
Replacements
16.Julien Massimi (St-Etienne, France)
17.Norman Wende (St-Etienne, France)
18.Julien Hanchir (Millau, France)
19.Denis Eppe (ROC Ottignies)
20.Andrew Neil (Tournefeuille, France)
21.Romain Orban (Kituro)
22.Romain Moortgat (Montpellier, France)
Head Coach: Richard McClintock

Adapted from http://www.sportkipik.be/articles.php?id_article=7119

For a complete list of all international rugby test matches played by both Belgium and the Czech Republic, go to www.rugbyinternational.net