RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Division 2A

14.11.2015
Switzerland v Israel in Auvsey (REC 2A)
Croatia v Malta in Split (REC 2A)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
SWITZ.	5	4	0	1	126	99	27	2	18
CZECH REP	5	3	1	1	106	82	26	3	17
CROATIA	5	4	0	3	112	124	-12	4	12
MALTA	4	2	0	2	80	89	-9	1	9
ISRAEL	5	0	1	4	98	129	-31	2	4

Previews
Switzerland should account for Israel at home. Croatia and Malta slug out a middle of the table clash which should see the home team win.

Predictions
Switzerland by 18 v Israel. Score 32-14
Croatia by 15 v Malta. Score 36-21

TEAMS

Switzerland Squad

SCHAERER , Benjamin , RC Kourou
CHAMAND , Romain , RC GPLO
BARTSCHI , Clément , l'US Romans
GUYOU , Nicolas , RC Tricastin
ALBER , Edgar , CS Vienne
WULLSCHLEGGER , Jonathan , SO Givors -Rugby
POMMIES , Ludovic , RC LUC
LIN , Cyril , RC Nyon
DOY , Benjamin , l'USBPA
HIRSCH , Gaëtan , RC GPLO
HEINRICH , Lucas , CSBJ
GUYOU , Matthieu , RCACP
MONTIEL , Ghislain , RC Saint Médard en Jalles
HIRSCH , Sylvain , RC GPLO
GERY , Thibault , RC Servette
RONZA , Manuel , RC LUC
MORITZ , Benjamin , RC Avusy
COULLON , Alexandre , RC Nyon
ASPIROZ DE ACHAVAL , Matias , RC Stade Lausanne
GREENHALGH , Henry , Angleterre
LUKUSA , Jeremie , RC Pontarlier
GANGATH , Francis , RC Hermance
HUSTAIX , Dorian , RC Servette

http://www.suisserugby.com/uploads/tx_news/Liste_selectionnes__Suisse_Israel_14112015_FINAL.pdf

Other squads not available

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP

07.11.2015

Division 1B

Moldova 25, Sweden 7 in Malmo

Sweden were considerably weakened by the decision of a number of leading players to represent Sweden in a sevens tournament. Even so they did well to hold the much respected Moldovan side who seriously underperforms away from home, usually because a number of top players are usually unavailable.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
BELGIUM	7	6	0	1	146	112	134	4	28
UKRAINE	7	5	0	2	155	111	44	2	22
MOLDOVA	6	4	0	2	180	90	90	4	20
POLAND	7	3	0	4	146	187	-41	2	15
NETHERLANDS	5	2	0	3	81	74	3	2	10
SWEDEN	8	0	0	8	87	319	-211	0	0

Division 2A

Croatia 26, Israel 21 in Netanya

Israel failed to take advantage of their home ground against Croatia although they did get a bonus point.

Israel’s next game is a very tough one away to Switzerland. They’ll be hoping for a repeat performance against front contender Czech Republic when they drew 26-26 in Prague. Croatia will host Malta next weekend.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
SWITZ.	5	4	0	1	126	99	27	2	18
CZECH REP	5	3	1	1	106	82	26	3	17
CROATIA	5	4	0	3	112	124	-12	4	12
MALTA	4	2	0	2	80	89	-9	1	9
ISRAEL	5	0	1	4	98	129	-31	2	4

Division 2B

Latvia 31, Cyprus 3 in Paphos

The once invincible Cyprus team, and world record holder of the most consecutive test rugby wins, has fallen on hard times in this division. They were promoted last season but have failed to fire against the stronger opposition in this division.

Neither team is playing next weekend.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	6	6	0	0	230	107	123	6	30
LATVIA	6	4	0	2	141	108	33	3	19
CYPRUS	5	2	0	3	90	121	-25	1	9
ANDORRA	5	2	0	3	79	136	-57	0	8
HUNGARY	6	0	0	6	101	170	-69	4	4

Division 2C

Slovenia 33, Serbia 17 in Belgrade

This was the third match in the REC games this weekend in which the home side lost. Serbia were outplayed by their northern rugby rivals despite nearly scoring a fourth (and bonus) try towards the end.

The Serbs will have a tough away game against Luxembourg next weekend whilst Slovenia hosts Denmark at home.

ISRAEL v CROATIA; REC 2A

07.11.2015

Venue: Wingate Institute, Netanya

Referee: Laurent Cardona (France)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
SWITZ.	5	4	0	1	126	99	27	2	18
CZECH REP	5	3	1	1	106	82	26	3	17
MALTA	4	2	0	2	80	89	-9	1	9
CROATIA	4	1	0	3	86	103	-17	4	8
ISRAEL	4	0	1	3	77	103	-26	1	3

Preview
This bottom of the table clash sees Israel in danger of relegation

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Israel 14th, Croatia 24th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Croatia 44.83, Israel 44.20

Prediction: Israel by 8 points. Score 26-18

TEAMS

Croatia squad

Ilija Biškić (Mladost Zagreb)
Denis Brečić (Mladost Zagreb)
Tomislav Burazin (Nada Split)
Krešimir Čorić (Nada Split)
Željko Galić (Zagreb)
Marko Grčić (Hull RUFC, England)
Dušan Hakaraia (Waitemata RFC, New Zealand
Dario Jurčević (Hull RUFC, England)
Luka Jureško (Zagreb)
Nik Jurišić (Capt.) (Mladost Zagreb)
Luka Lerotić (Nada Split)
Frane Marčić (Hull RUFC, England)
Ivan Miljak (Canterbury RFC, England)
Jason Newton (South African club)
Luka Perlain (Old Dunstonians RFC, England)
Ivo Perić (Nada Split)
Juraj Popović (Nada Split)
Luka Rosso (Nada Split)
Dylan Rowe (Burgos, Spain)
Antonio Stojanovski (Lokomotiva Zagreb)
Ivan Šuta (Mladost Zagreb)
Vinko Udovičić (Mladost Zagreb)
Shane Vinac (New Zealand club)

’Croatia will miss their captain Tonči Buzov who was seriously injured while playing in Scotland but is now getting better, fly-half Jai Ayoub (Australia) and flanker Mario Ozich (East Grinstead, ENG).’

Thanks to ‘Tarara’ at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=722

Israel

15. Eitan Humphreys-21.02.1990
14. Yuval Zidani-01.08.1995
13. Amit Kakoun-27.12.1988
12. Jonathan Radashkovich-24.06.1988
11. Ori Abutbul-02.05.1994
10. Vitali Pryimak-29.05.1986
9. Shai Hacohen-22.02.1992
8. Michael Eli-21.04.1989
7. Gilad Goldenstein-25.08.1985
6. Jonathan Shaki-10.05.1983, Capt.
5. Thomas Burden-09.08.1995
4. Ushangi Manjavidze-13.04.1986
3. Matan Brosh-12.04.1981
2. Omri Iotan-10.08.1984
1. Nathan Amos-11.08.1978

Replacements
16. Sela Arnsberg-07.04.1994
17. Adam Rosenberg-02.12.1984
18. Itshak Hanania-12.08.1982
19. Gur Yam-01.03.1994
20. Alon Okon-13.11.1985
21. Fabian Maguid-08.02.1986
22. Levan Gikashvili-02.05.1995
23. Guy Brengler-03.01.1994

Head Coach: Raanan Penn

Send by iphone thanks to Julian Shapiri, Manager Israeli team.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

07.11.2015
Sweden v Moldova in Malmo (REC 1B)
Israel v Croatia in Netanya (REC 2A)
Cyprus v Latvia in Paphos (REC 2B)
Serbia v Slovenia in Beograd (REC 2C)

08.11.2015
Colombia v Ecuador in Lima (CONSUR B)
Venezuela v Peru in Lima (CONSUR B)

Briefly
As the dust settles on the 2015 Rugby World Cup final last weekend the test rugby elsewhere continues. This month you wont be seeing the Southern Hemisphere teams touring north as they need a good rest after the tournament.

The Rugby Europe Championship continues with four tests on Saturday. On Sunday sees the start of CONSUR B, or South American Championship, Division B. That tournament, being held in Lima, Peru, is the second tier of South American rugby behind Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil and Paraguay.

Later in November Germany will visit Brazil for a test match. December will be busy with CONSUR C being held in San Salvador whilst in early December Germany will play their second test in Brazil.

This weekend
Sweden faces front runner Moldova in an attempt to improve on its earlier results this season against Belgium and Poland. It wont be enough to avoid relegation.

Israel and Croatia will battle to avoid the relegation area. Israel drew with Czech Republic away in their last match and are beginning to adjust to this new level of European test rugby. Croatia won the first leg match against Israel but could struggle playing away. Croatia warmed up with a 5-39 loss to Oxford University last weekend.

Cyprus and Latvia clash in Cyprus in a Division 2B test match. Cyprus, holder of the world record of 24 consecutive test match wins up to 2014, were promoted from Division 2C the same season. Their results at this level have been mixed. Latvia has also had a mixed season, have played one more test than Cyprus. Neither team fared well against competition Lithuania who are unassailable at the top of this division.

Balkan rugby rivals Slovenia and Serbia clash in Beograd. Serbia had a disastrous start to the 2014-15 season but a change of management after Christmas has seen them win against Denmark and Austria.Slovenia is tucked just behind the undefeated Luxembourg ( to whom they lost to in the first leg) but has a game in hand. I expect this to be a close result.

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Divs 1B and 2A

18.04.2015
Belgium 53, Poland 23 in Brussels (REC 1B)
Malta 16, Israel 13 in Netanya (REC 2A)
Switzerland 40, Croatia 20 in Monthey (REC 2A)

Briefly
I was not expecting Belgium to win this game as they were short of about half a dozen top players. They proved me wrong and won comfortably against a disappointing Polish side.

Malta and Switzerland won as expected but I was a little surprised by Switzerland’s winning margin

REC DIVISION 2A: Switzerland v Croatia

18.04.2015

Venue: Monthey

Referee: Frank Himmer (Germany)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	3	3	0	0	66	36	30	2	14
CROATIA	3	1	0	2	66	63	3	4	8
SWITZ.	2	1	0	1	43	45	-2	1	5
MALTA	2	1	0	1	44	53	-9	0	4
ISRAEL	2	0	0	2	38	60	-22	0	0

Preview
Teams placed 2nd and 3rd in this competition will square off in Switzerland this Saturday. Switzerland has a game in hand and has lost one game this round compared to Croatia’s two losses. Switzerland also has home advantage.

The Czech Republic has a clear lead in this competition. The challenger is likely to come from either Switzerland or Malta. Malta plays newly promoted Israel away today. That result will also be crucial.

Croatia played very well to hold the competition leader Czech Republic to within 3 points at home last weekend. Switzerland lost to the Czech Republic, also at home, when they played them last November. Croatia has recent game time advantage whilst Switzerland has the home ground advantage.

This could almost be too close to call. I would love to be there. It’ll be a cracker!

Last Five Encounters
02.11.2013 Switzerland 26-11 in Split (ENC 2A)
03.11.2012 Switzerland 29-20 in Nyon (WCQ Europe R3; ENC 2A)
25.10.2003 Switzerland 11-5 in Split (ENC 2B)
09.11.2002 Switzerland 24-15 in Geneva (ENC 2B)
10.11.2001 Croatia 18-16 in Switzerland (FIRA/WCQ Euro. R2, Pool A)

Croatia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2 
11.04.2015 v Czech Republic L 9-12 in Zagreb (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Israel W 31-20 in Zagreb (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Malta L 26-31 in Valette (REC 2A)
21.06.2014 v Latvia W 16-10 in Riga (ENC 2A-2B Playoff)
19.04.2014 v Lithuania W 25-21 in Zagreb (ENC 2A)

Switzerland Last Five P 5, W 1, D 1, L 3
01.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 14-27 in Nyon (REC 2A)
25.10.2014 v Israel W 29-18 in Netanya (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Lithuania L 18-24 in Vilnius (ENC 2A)
12.04.2014 v Malta L 14-29 in Winterthur (ENC 2A)
16.11.2013 v Netherlands D 20-20 in Nyon (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Switzerland 22nd, Croatia 23rd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Switzerland 47.22, Croatia 45.65

Prediction: Almost too close to call. Switzerland by 2 points. Score 17-15

TEAMS

Switzerland Squad

Nom	Prénom		Cub
ALBER	Edgar		FC Grenoble
BARTSCHI	Clément		US Romans
COULLON	Alexandre		RC Nyon
COULOT	Cyril		RC Yverdon
DIMITRI	Sébastien		Biarritz Olympique
DOY	Benjamin		US Oyonnax
ESCOFFIER	Florian		US Oyonnax
GERY	Thibault		FC Rumilly
GOMBAS	Eddy		Rc Avusy
GUYOU	Nicolas		RC Tricastin
GUYOU	Matthieu		RCACP
HEINRICH	Lucas		CSBJ
HIRSCH	Sylvain		Rc GePLO
KRALJEVIC	Ivan		GC Zürich
LAFUYE	Cyril		RC Tricastin
LIN	Cyril		CA Lannemezan
MONTIEL	Ghislain		Libourne (UAL)
MONZEGLIO	Brice		Section Paloise
MORITZ	Benjamin		RC Avusy
PAUL	Matthieu		St Paul les Dax
PERROD	Simon		FC Rumilly
SCHAERER		Benjamin
WULLSCHLEGER	Jonathan		SO Givors

http://www.suisserugby.com/uploads/tx_news/Team_Selection_SUI_CRO.pdf

Croatia Team List not available