RUGBY TEST MATCH: Israel May Struggle.

01.05.2010
Israel v Luxembourg in Luxembourg (ENC 3C)

Venue: Josy Barthel Stadium

Referee: Murinello (Portugal)

Image thanks to www.rugby.lu

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
ISRAEL	6	6	0	0	205	36	169	18
GREECE	8	5	0	3	143	123	20	18
BULGARIA	8	5	0	3	162	162	0	18
LUXEMBOURG	7	2	0	5	81	129	-48	11
FINLAND	7	0	0	7	73	224	-120	7

Preview
Israel will travel without seven key players from the squad that was so convincing against Greece. Roi Alterlevi, Nathan Amos, Gilad Goldstein, Julien Maffi, Alon Okon, Mordechai Radashkovich and Yonatan Radashkovich are either injured or unavailable for the trip north. This has placed considerable pressure on selections, especially in the forwards. Regular back and captain Nimrod Kaplan moves into the forwards at number eight, whilst Ran Berzak, David Jacobi, Eyal Koren, Fabian Maguid, Ziv Melling and Adam Rubin have been brought into the squad to cover those unavailable.

Luxembourg lost 14-42 to Belgium A a few weeks ago. They have managed only two wins in the two years, both against Finland who will be relegated at the end of the competition.

Israel were too good for Luxembourg when they played in Israel in the first round, winning 30-0. Although I would expect Israel to win they have a much changed and younger team from two weeks ago.

Previous Encounters
21.03.2009 Israel 30-0 in Netanya (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 3C)
03.05.2008 Israel 20-12 in Netanya (ENC 3C)
20.05.2007 Luxembourg 25-16 in Cessange (ENC 3C)
29.10.2005 Luxembourg 19-3 in Cessange (ENC 3C)
01.06.2002 Luxembourg 31-19 in Cessange (FIRA B, Pool B)

These two teams first met in 1996. Israel won, in Herzliya, by 20-12 in FIRA B5 match.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table-Israel 28th, Luxembourg 36th

Prediction: Israel by 7 points.

Teams


Israel Squad
Nesi Abravanel
Oren Alt
Amir Beutler
Ran Berzak
Oren Brodhurst
Matan Brosh
Michael Eli
Stav Gurtovoy
Oz Hayman
David Jacobi
Amit Kakoun
Nimrod Kaplan (Capt.)
Eyal Koren
Omri Lotan
Fabian Maguid
Guy Matisis
Ziv Melling
Omer Halfi Mendelsohn
Adrian Rainstein
Adam Rubin
Jonathan Shaki
Miron Shtiglitz

Head Coach: Raanan Penn

Luxembourg squad not available as yet