POLAND v MOLDOVA: REC 1B

14.11.2015

Venue: National Stadium, Warsaw

Referee: Iñigo Atorrasagasti (Spain)

	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

Preview
Not a lot at stake in this test rugby match. Poland could well be a weakened squad if the French clubs hold their players. Moldova underperform away but if they are at any strength they should defeat the hosts.

Prediction
Moldova by 9 points. Score 27-18

TEAMS

Poland Squad

Original selection 03.11.2015 but changes are expected as a number of France-based players may not be released.

01. Kamil Bobryk - CS Vienne (Francja)
02. Radosław Bysewski - Arka Gdynia
03. Marcin Wilczuk - Ogniwo Sopot
04. Sławomir Kaszuba - Lechia Gdańsk
05. Adrian Chróściel - Pogoń Siedlce
06. Grzegorz Janiec - CA Saint Etienne (Francja)
07. Paweł Dąbrowski - Arka Gdynia
08. Paweł Poniatowski - CO Creusot Bourgogne (Francja)
09. Stanisław Powała-Niedźwiecki - Ogniwo Sopot
10. Tomasz Hebda - RC Strasbourg (Francja)
11. Piotr Karpiński II - Budowlani Łódź SA
12. Mateusz Bartoszek - SMRC Saint Medard (Francja)
13. Michał Mirosz - Budowlani Łódź SA
14. Dawid Banaszek - Arka Gdynia
15. Patryk Reksulak - Budowlani Łódź SA
16. Łukasz  Szostek - Arka Gdynia
17. Dawid Plichta - Orkan Sochaczew
18. Tomasz Gasik - Orkan Sochaczew
19. Rafał Szrejber - Arka Gdynia
20. Tomasz Rokicki - Lechia Gdańsk
21. Radosław Rakowski - Arka Gdynia
22. Szymon Sirocki - Arka Gdynia
23. Victor Pradeau - RC Arras (Francja)

Head Coach: Marek Płonka

On standby

Rafał Kwiatkowski - Arka Gdynia
Grzegorz Buczek - Lechia Gdańsk
Robert Graban - Ogniwo Sopot
Robert Kwiatkowski - Lechia Gdańsk
Marek Grabowski - Budowlani Łódź SA
Piotr Psuj - Pogoń Siedlce

http://pzrugby.pl/news/aktualnosc/PNEKadranaPolskavMoldawia,1594

Moldova squad not available.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

14.11.2015
Poland v Moldova in Warsaw (REC 1B)
Switzerland v Israel in Geneva (REC 2A)
Croatia v Malta in Split (REC 2A)
Slovenia v Denmark (REC 2C)
Luxembourg v Serbia in Luxembourg (REC 2C)
Colombia v Peru in Lima (CONSUR B, Final)
Venezuela v Ecuador in Lima (CONSUR B, Playoff 3^rd-4^th)
Honduras v Guatemala in Las Vagas (Friendly-First test for Honduras?)-Postponed to 28 Nov.

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.

SWEDEN V MOLDOVA: REC 1B

07.11.2015

Venue: Malmö RC

Referee: Tomáš Tuma (Czech Republic)

	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	5	3	0	2	155	83	72	4	16
POLAND	7	3	0	4	146	187	-41	2	15
NETHERLANDS	5	2	0	3	81	74	3	2	10
SWEDEN	7	0	0	7	80	296	-193	0	0

Preview
This will be a crucial match for Moldova. Notoriously weak when playing away and like ferocious devils at home they need this win (and the rest) to get near or head off Belgium and Ukraine.

Moldova has always struggled when playing away. They may well face a revised and determined home team.

Sweden has little chance of avoiding relegation but this game could well be a vital building step towards a stronger team.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Moldova 18th, Sweden 21st

World Rugby Ranking Points
Moldova 53.69, Sweden 44.49

Prediction: Moldova by 32 points. Score 48-16

TEAMS

Sweden

1 Lars Peter Tunestål (Pingvin RC)
2 Andreas Persson (Pingvin RC)
3 Alexander Eliasson (Spartacus RUFC)
4 Alexander Rappestad (Stewart's Melville FP RFC, Scotland)
5 Tobias Rörstam (Pingvin RC)
6 Erik Mårtensson (Universities of Edinburgh RC, Scotland)
7 Måns Derk (Södertälje RK)
8 Sebastian Nockmar Norrköpings (RK Trojan)
9 Karl Linderoth (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
10 Tim Karl Johansson (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
11 Oliver Sharp (Stockholm Exiles RFC)
12 Alfred Meitmann (Pingvin RC)
13 Oliver Callaghan (Amstelveense RC, Netherlands)
14 Niklas Ståhle (Hammarby IF RF)
15 Fredrik Enstad (Södertälje RK)

Replacements
16 Johan Vuris (Pingvin RC)
17 Alexander Johansson (Vänerborgs RK)
18 Robhin Karlsson (Södertälje RK)
19 Jonas Zengler Norrköpings (RK Trojan)
20 Erik Sjöbeck (Pingvin RC)
21 André Eriksson (Pingvin RC)
22 Philip Axelsson (Södertälje RK)

https://www.facebook.com/SvenskaRugbyforbundet

Moldova not available

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: Division 2B

31.10.2015
Lithuania v Andorra in Vilnius

	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

  

Preview

Notwithstanding a major disaster in the Lithuanian rugby camp it is difficult not to expect that they will be promoted for the 2015-16 Rugby Championship. Playing at home to Andorra should see the locals chalk up another victory and retain their unblemished record.

Andorra has won its last two games in this competition. The win away against Latvia was most impressive.

Andorran National Rugby Team. Image thanks to http://vpcandorra.com

Previous Encounters
18.10.2014 Lithuania 34-15 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
10.10.2009 Lithuania 40-12 in Siuilia (ENC 3A)
08.11.2008 Lithuania 26-10 in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Europe R2; ENC 3A)
19.10.1996 Andorra 54-24 in Andorra La Vela (WCQ Europe Pool 3, Rnd A)

Andorra Last Five P 5, W 2, L 3
12.05.2015 v Latvia W 14-5 in Riga (REC 2B)
04.04.2015 v Hungary W 23-18 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
01.11.2014 v Cyprus L 10-30 in Paphos (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Lithuania L 15-34 in Andorra La Vela (REC 2B)
12.04.2014 v Israel L 16-20 in Netanya (ENC 2B)

Lithuania Last Five P 5, W 5
24.10.2015 v Hungary W 37-15 in Esztergom (REC 2B)
02.05.2015 v Cyprus W 26-20 in Paphoa (REC 2B)
25.04.2015 v Latvia W 46-11 in Riga (REC 2B)
25.10.2014 v Hungary W 38-29 in Siauliai (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Andorra W 34-15 in Andorra La vela (REC 2B)

Lithuania has won its last 6 rugby test matches.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Lithuania 23rd, Andorra 25th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Lithuania 48.64, Andorra 43.10

Prediction: Lithuania by 20 points. Score 35-15

TEAMS

Andorra Squad

Peter Ambor
Marc Arasanz
Bruno Comas (Primera selecció)
Matt Dawson
Esteve Dolsa
Eduard Estevenet
Joan Fité
Roger Fité
Jonathan Garcia
Julien Ginesta
Edisher Jamrulidze
Liam Jordan
Kim Jordan (Primera selecció)
Tiago Macedo
Joan Martí (Primera selecció)
Gerard Menardia
Daniel Raya
Giorgii Rekhviashvili
Eric Risco
Gerard Soteras
Marc Torrent
Stefano Tosatti
Marc Vilella (Primera selecció)

http://vpcandorra.com/2015/10/27/llistat-de-seleccionats-pel-partit-dels-isards-contra-lituania-el-31102015/

Lithuania Squad not available

Latvia v Hungary in Riga

Hungary have a difficult away game against middle of the table Latvia. Hungary may face relegation back to REC 2C at the end of the season unless they can pick up a few more wins. Latvia defeated Hungary 16-14 in Hungary in round 1.

Latvia to win by 15 points. Score 31-16.

Team lists not available