MALTA v CZECH REPUBLIC: REC 2A

21.11.2015

Venue: Hibernians Stadium, Paola

Referee: Sébastien Boyer (France)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
SWITZ.	6	5	0	1	154	102	52	2	22
CZECH REP	5	3	1	1	106	82	26	3	17
CROATIA	6	5	0	3	146	141	5	5	17
MALTA	5	2	0	3	107	123	-16	2	10
ISRAEL	6	0	1	5	101	157	-56	2	4

Preview
Malta’s place in the competition seems secure so only pride is resting on this game for them. The Czech Republic on the other hand needs a win desperately to stay within reach of competition leaders Switzerland.

Previous Encounter
08.11.2014 Czech Republic 2-13 in Prague (REC 2A)

Malta Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
14.11.2015 v Croatia L 27-34 in Split (REC 2A)
25.04.2014 v Switzerland L 20-23 in Valetta (REC 2A)
18.04.2015 v Israel W 16-13 in Netanya (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Czech Republic L 13-27 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Croatia W 31-26 in Valetta (REC 2A)

Czech Republic Last Five P 5, W 3, D 1,L 1
24.10.2014 v Switzerland L 14-20 in Prague (REC 2A)
25.04.2014 v Israel D 26-26 in Prague (REC 2A)
11.04.2015 v Croatia W 12-9 in Zagreb (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Malta W 27-13 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Switzerland W 27-14 in Nyon (REC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Czech Republic 17th, Malta 23rd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Czech Republic 49.61, Malta 47.21

Prediction: Czech Republic by 6 points. Score 22-16

TEAMS

Czech Republic

1 Staněk, 2 Hruška, 3 Kubálek - 4 Wognitsch, 5 Voves - 6 Backa, 7 Havel, 8 Loutocký - 9 Schütz, 10 Jursík - 11 Čížek J, 12 Stejskal, 13 Pantůcek, 14 Kovář - 15 Čížek P.

lavička: 16 Mára, 17 Havlicek, 18 Okleštěk, 19 Vokrouhlík, 20 Kolář, 21 Soural, 22 Šimák, 23 Macháček L.

http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/518

Malta team not available

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: Saturday 21 November

21.11.2015
Portugal v Zimbabwe in Hong Kong (Cup of Nations)
Hong Kong v Russia in Hong Kong (Cup of Nations)
Spain v Chile in Torrelavega (Friendly)
Malta v Czech Republic in Valette (REC 2A)
Guatemala v El Salvador in Guatemala City (Herman Arrúa Cup)

RUGBY EUROPE CHAMPIONSHIP: Divisions 2A & 2B

24.10.2015
Switzerland 20, Czech Republic 14 in Prague (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
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

Review
Switzerland caused a major upset by defeating the Czech Republic in Prague to sneak ahead on the points table.

‘14-20 to the Swiss. A good result for them and a reversal of the win the Czechs got over them in the last round. I guess this must put them as favourites for promotion after the Czechs drew against Israel.

The Czechs had the upper hand in the forwards, but the Swiss pack worked hard as a unit and the backs took their chances. The Czechs were however missing a few big names such as the prop Strastny, the hooker Kutil, the lock Voves and back row Manak.

I don't think the Poles or Dutch will be too worried looking at this top of the table clash if they have an eye on who the newcomer to their division will be next year and if it will mean they will become the most likely candidate for the drop. Neither will the Swedes, who will look to bounce back after the new 1 year season format.

The pace of this game was definitely slower than the Ukraine-Poland game we saw last week, and even the physique of the players looked to be more like serious amateurs than semi-professionals.’

Thanks to ‘Polter’ at http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=699

Lithuania 37, Hungary 15 in Esztergom (REC 2B)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	5	5	0	0	181	90	101	5	25
CYPRUS	4	2	0	2	87	90	-3	1	9
LATVIA	4	2	0	4	71	95	-24	1	9
ANDORRA	4	2	0	2	62	87	-25	0	8
HUNGARY	5	0	0	5	91	131	-40	4	4

Review
As expected Lithuania, the table leaders, were too strong for bottom placed Hungary. Lithuania look good for promotion back into REC 2A for next season whilst for Hungary they look like being relegated back to REC 2C.

CZECH REPUBLIC v SWITZERLAND: REC 2A

24.10.2015

Venue: Vyskow, Prague

Referee: Maxime Burlet (Belgium)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	4	3	1	0	92	62	30	2	16
SWITZ.	4	3	0	1	106	85	21	2	14
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
The two teams at the top of this division clash in Prague. The Czech Republic won the first round match 27-14 in Nyon.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Czech Republic 15th, Switzerland 21st

World Rugby Ranking Points
Czech Republic 51.07, Switzerland 49.49

Prediction: Czech Republic by 17 points. Score 38-21

TEAMS

Czech Republic Squad

Brtníček David – JIMI RC Vyškov
Buryánek Jiří – RC Dragon Brno
Čížek Jan - RC Přelouč/RC Mountfield Říčany
Čížek Petr – RC Praga Praha
Frank Jiří - RC SIX-FOUR (Francie, Federale 2)
Goldstein Marek - RC Tatra Smíchov
Havel Vojtěch - Saint Nazaire Rugby (Francie, Federale 1)
Hruška Vojtěch - RC Auxerrois (Francie, Federale 2)
Kolář Jan – RC Slavia Praha
Kovář Martin – JIMI RC Vyškov
Kovář Ondřej – JIMI RC Vyškov
Kučera Jan – RC Mountfield Říčany
Kubálek Jan – RC Mountfield Říčany
Loutocký Marek – RC SIX-FOUR (Francie, Federale 2)
Němeček Miroslav – RC Hyères-Carqueiranne-La Crau (Francie, Federale 2)
Pailodze Vachtang – RC Sparta Praha
Pantůček Jiří – JIMI RC Vyškov
Rapant Lukáš – US Oyonnax Rugby (Francie, TOP 14)
Rohlík Jan – RC Mountfield Říčany
Soural Adam – JIMI RC Vyškov
Staněk David – RC Přelouč/RC Praga Praha
Stejskal Aleš – RC Compiégnois (Francie, Federale 2)
Šimák Marek – RC Tatra Smíchov
Vokrouhlík Pavel – RC Praga Praha
Wognitsch Martin – SA XV Charente (Francie, Federale 1)

RC SIX-FOUR = Rugby Club du Pays Six Fournais, near Toulon

Head Coach: Thomasz Putra

http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/473

Switzerland

Lafuye, Cyril
Paul, Mathieu
Bartschi, Clement
Guyou, Nicolas
Alber, Edgar
Wullschleger, Jonathan
Coulot, Cyril
Lin, Cyril
Perrod, Simon
Gros, Julien
Hirsch, Sylvain
Doy, Benjamin
Montiel, Ghislain
Heinrich, Lucas
Gery, Thibault
Schaerer, Benjamin
Chamand, Romain
Coullon, Alexandre
Pommies, Ludovic
Hirsch, Gaetan
Guyou, Mathieu
Gangath-Samba, Francis
Moritz, Benjamin

Head Coach: Gil Coquard

http://www.suisserugby.com/news/newsdetail/news/switzerland-aims-to-top-enc-group-2a-as-it-faces-czech-challenge-in-vyskov.html

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: REC 2A & 2B

25.04.2015
Switzerland 23, Malta 20 in Valetta (REC 2A)
Israel 26, Czech Republic 26 in Prague (REC 2A)
Lithuania 46, Latvia 11 in Siaulai (REC 2B)

Briefly
Israel caused the major surprise of the test rugby weekend by drawing with the fancied Czech side in Prague. The Czechs had to come from way behind and just salvaged a draw but this is an indication of the development of Israeli rugby.

As I predicted Switzerland and Malta slugged out a very close contest in Malta. Meanwhile in Siaulai Lithuania were too strong for their neighbours.

REC 2A: CZECH REPUBLIC v ISRAEL

25.04.2015

Image thanks to http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/300

Venue: RC Sparta Praha, Prague

Referee: Alexei Bryzgalin (Russia)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	3	3	0	0	66	36	30	2	14
SWITZ.	3	2	0	1	83	65	18	2	10
MALTA	3	2	0	1	60	66	-6	0	8
CROATIA	4	1	0	3	86	103	-17	4	8
ISRAEL	3	0	0	3	51	76	-25	1	1

Preview
Israel has found the step to Division 2A a tough assignment. They have won their way up two divisions since being in ENC 2C in 2010, a fantastic effort. The support the team had in that time was also fantastic.

Israel has remained a tough opponent in spit of its three losses so far. At no time have they been outplayed. With the continued development in their game they would be aiming just to remain at this level for the 2016-18 competition.

The Czech Republic remains on top of the table. They were relegated from Division 1B in 2014. They remain undefeated but they have not dominated the competition opposition as some thought. This is a far cry from the 2003-2008 season when they played at the top level of the FIRA-AER competitions.

The Czechs should win this game but if they play as indifferently as they did against Croatia they might find Israel a tougher opponent than they expected. If the Czech Republic respect their opposition and play as well as they can then Israel could be in for a tough time.

These two teams have met only once before, in 1993. Czech Republic won 28-0 in Amsterdam in a World Cup qualifying tournament.

Czech Republic Last Five P 5, W4, L 1
11.04.2015 v Croatia W 12-9 in Zagreb (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Malta W 27-13 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Switzerland W 27-14 in Nyon (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Moldova W 37-19 in Prague (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
05.04.2014 v Germany L 12-76 in Heidelberg (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)

Israel Last Five P 5, W 1, L 4
18.04.2015 v Malta L 13-16 in Netanya (REC 2A)
08.11.2014 v Croatia L 20-31 in Zabreb (REC 2A)
25.10.2014 v Switzerland L 18-29 in Netanya (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Latvia L 22-29 in Riga (ENC 2B)
12.04.2014 v Andorra W 20-16 in Netanya (ENC 2B)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Czech Republic 13th, Israel 25th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Czech Republic 52.07, Israel 44.60

Prediction: Czech Republic by 18 points. Score 43-18

TEAMS

Czech Republic

1. Lukáš Macháček 2. Vojtěch Mára 3. Lukáš Rapant 4. Radim Backa 5. Robert Voves (c) 6. Jiří Frank 7. Vojtěch Havel 8. Josef Maňák 9.Vachtang Pailodze 10. Pavel Vokrouhlík 11. Martin Sadílek 12. Jiří Lacina 13. Aleš Stejskal 14. Adam Soural 15. Jan Rohlík
lavička: 16. Ondřej Kovář 17. David Jaroš 18. Jakub Doležel 19. Jan Olbrich 20. Jakub Kopřiva 21. Tomáš Forst 22. Petr Čížek 23. David Brtníček

http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/307

Israel

15. Mordechay Radahkovich-06.09.1984
14. Ori Abutbul-02.05.1994
13. Amit Kakoun-27.12.1988
12. Alexy Veklov-15.06.1991
11. Jonathan Radashkovich-24.06.1988
10. Vitali Pryimak-29.05.1986
9. Shai Hacohen-22.02.1992
8. Michael Eli-21.04.1989
7. Guy Matisis-28.07.1987
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. Oren Alt-08.03.1971
18. Jonathan Levy-27.02.1988
19. Itshak Hanania-12.08.1982
20. Dekel Fleisch-22.11.1995
21. Adrian Rainstein-16.06.1989
22. Fabian Maguid-08.02.1986
23. Guy Brengler-03.01.1994

Head Coach: Raanan Penn

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

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND Part 1: European Rugby

25.04.2015
Switzerland v Malta in Valetta (REC 2A)
Israel v Czech Republic in Prague (REC 2A)
Latvia v Lithuania in Siaulai or Vilnius (REC 2B)
Serbia v Denmark in Odense (REC 2C)
Slovenia v Austria in Vienna (REC 2C)
Bosnia Herzegovina v Finland in Zenica (REC 2D)
Turkey v Bulgaria TBC

Briefly
A big weekend in European test rugby as the European Rugby Championship continues. For many teams this is the final competition game of the season. Competition points will carry over to next season being the final round.

Of the two games in Division 2A the Swiss v Malta game is between the No.2 and No.3 teams on the points table. Both have one loss each and sit below undefeated Czech Republic. The challenge to Czech Republic next season could well be one of these two teams.

The Division 2B games is a local derby between two Baltic nations. Last season Lithuania were relegated and for the first time in a while these two neighbours find them selves in the same league. Both share top spot on the table and both are undefeated.It will be an interesting clash.

Top team Czech Republic plays bottom placed Israel who are finding this competition very tough.

There are two games in Division 2C. Serbia’s turn around performance last week against Austria could well mean they keep Denmark at the bottom of the table. But how well will Serbia travel and can they travel with their best team. Two important factors at this level of competition.

The Slovenia-Austria test rugby match has some significance about it. Slovenia is tucked in behind competition leaders Luxembourg with one loss. Austria’s surprise loss to Serbia last weekend will be a cause for concern in Vienna.

In 2D Division Bosnia Herzegovina are the two undefeated sides and they clash in Zenica. Again it’s a case of what sort of team has Finland been able to pick and how well will they travel. Bosnia Herzegovina are a tough team to play on their home soil. A mouth watering clash. I’d love to be there!

I cannot confirm that the Bulgaria-Turkey match is scheduled for today. If it does we have the unusual situation in that they have already played each other this season and this would be a round two fixture. Very strange!

A fantastic weekend of test rugby in Europe will soon be upon us.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: 11 April

11.04.2015
Uruguay 77, Paraguay 3 in Montevideo (CONSUR A)
Czech Republic 12, Croatia 9 in Zagreb (REC 2A)

Briefly
Uruguay, without their top players ran out 77-3 against Paraguay to notch up their first victory in the 2015 CONSUR A. Uruguay plays Brazil next weekend.

The Czech Republic just squeaked past Croatia in Zagreb.

CZECH REPUBLIC v CROATIA: Rugby Europe Cup 2A

11.04.2015

Venue: stadionu NK Lučko, Zagreb

Referee: Igotz Gallestegi (Spain)

Preview

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	PT
CZECH REP	2	2	0	0	54	27	27	2	10
CROATIA	2	1	0	1	57	51	6	3	7
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

These two teams meet after many drinks between games. The Czech Republic was relegated from ENC 1B last season.

The Czech Republic has looked slightly above this level of competition. Even though Croatia will have the home advantage I will expect the Czech’'s to be too strong in the second half. The Czech’s also welcome the return of their France-based professional Lukáš Rapant who will the pack much needed leadership

Previous Encounters
18.10.2008 Czech Republic 47-0 in Prague (Friendly)
06.04.2002 Czech Republic 95-5 in Brno (Friendly)
13.10.2001 Czech Republic 13-5 in Zagreb (FIRA/WCQ Europe, R2, Pool A)
28.04.2001 Croatia 32-22 in Makarska (FIRA B)

There is not a deep playing relationship between these two near neighbours. The Czech Republic, except for 2001-02, has played at levels above Croatia.

Czech Republic Last Five P 5, W3, L 2
08.11.2014 v Malta W 27-13 in Prague (REC 2A)
01.11.2014 v Switzerland W 27-14 in Nyon (REC 2A)
26.04.2014 v Moldova W 37-19 in Prague (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
05.04.2014 v Germany L 12-76 in Heidelberg (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
16.11.2013 v Ukraine L 10-17 in Zlin (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)

Croatia Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2 
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)
2.04.2014 v Netherlands L 13-45 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Czech Republic 13th, Croatia 23rd

World Rugby Ranking Points
Czech Republic 50.68, Croatia 45.90

Prediction: Czech Republic by 14 points: Score 35-21

TEAMS

Czech Republic Squad

Forwards

Voves Robert, Calderoni Emilio, Havlíček Martin, Rapant Lukáš, Frank Jiří, Havel Vojtěch, Hruška Vojtěch, Loutocký Marek, Macháček Lukáš, Doležel Jakub, Backa Radim, Maňák Josef, Vojta Mára

Backs

Stejskal Aleš, Soural Adam, Vokrouhlík Pavel, Pailodze Vato, Rohlík Jan, Čížek Petr, Kopřiva Jakub, Lacina Jiří, Kolář Jan, Forst Tomáš

Lukáš Rapant (Oyonnax) returns after a long absense.

http://www.rugbyunion.cz/cs/article/285

Croatia squad

After last week's mini-training in Zagreb Milan Yelavich menu is chosen for this match following iigrače: Jai Ayoub (AUS), Dusan Hakaraia (NZ), Marko Grcic (GER), Ivan Miljak, Luke Perlain, Mislav Milanovic, Tonci Buzov, Nik Jurisic Mario Ozich, Dylan Rowe (UK), Antonio Stojanovski (Locomotiva), Luka Kovacic (Makarska), Denis Brečić, Vinko Udovičić, Marko Buljac, Tvrtko Dumančić Sekovanec Sasha, John Suta, Dario Oxenham (Mladost), Francis Marčić, Jure Popović, Tomislav Burazin, Luke Lerotić (RK Nada), Zeljko Galic and Luke Juresko (RK Zagreb).

Adapted from http://www.nada-rugby.hr/nadanew/hrvatska/seniorirepka/1835-enc-2a-hrvatska-eka-.html