INTERNATIONAL RUGBY MATCH: ENC Iberian Local Derby

12.03.2011
Portugal v Spain in Madrid (ENC 1A)

Venue: Estadio Universidad Complutense

Referee: M.Dordolo (Italy)

Preview
This local Iberian derby is always a hotly contest rugby game. The series goes back to 1935 when these two teams first met.

Following their narrow 12-13 loss to Georgia two weeks ago, Portugal are tucked in behind the leaders Georgia in second place. They have caused a minor stir in European rugby by defeating both Russia and Romania last month. Portugal are expected to win but I predict that Spain will rise to the occasion and give Portugal a hell of a game.

Spain is going through a rebuilding stage. New coach, Kiwi Errol Brain, has introduced a number of players from France with Spanish heritage. The move has not met with great success although it is early days. He has, for this match, reintroduced some old hands from 2009-10.

Last Five Encounters
13.03.2010 Portugal 33-15 in Madrid (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
15.03.2009 Portugal 24-19 in Lisbon (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
10.05.2008 Spain 21-17 in Madrid (ENC 1)
03.02.2007 Portugal 21-18 in Lisbon (ENC 1)
21.03.2004 Portugal 35-19 in Ibiza (ENC 1)

Portugal Last Five
26.02.2011 v Georgia L 12-13 in Lisbon (ENC 1A)
12.02.2011 v Russia W 21-19 in Sochi (ENC 1A)
05.02.2011 v Romania W 24-17 in Lisbon (ENC 1A)
27.11.2010 v Canada L 20-23 in Lisbon (Friendly)
20.11.2010 v Namibia W 24-12 in Lisbon (Friendly)

Spain Last Five
26.02.2011 v Ukraine W 35-13 in Madrid (ENC 1A)
12.02.2011 v Georgia L 0-60 in Tblissi (ENC 1A)
05.02.2011 v Russia L 24-28 in Madrid (ENC 1A)
27.11.2010 v Namibia W 23-20 in Palma de Malorca (Friendly)
13.11.2010 v Canada L 22-60 in Madrid (Friendly)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Portugal 18th, Spain 21st
Europe Table-Portugal 8th, Spain 11th

IRB Ranking Points
Portugal 62.95, Spain 58.53

Prediction: Portugal by 7 points.

Teams

Spain Squad
Martín Aceña, Capt. (C.R. La Vila) age 27, 12 tests
Beñat Auzqui (US Tyrosse, France) 27, 3
Mattín Auzqui (US Dax, France) 28, 4
Adrien Ayestaran (Biarritz Olimpique, France) 22, 3
Juan Cano (Lille Metropol) 25, 23
Javier Canosa (CRC Madrid) 28, 40
Matthew Cook (C.R. La Vila) 32, 11
Pablo Feijoo (El Salvador) 28, 48
Gauthier Gibouin (Unión Bourdeaux Begles, France) 21, 8
Ignacio Gutiérrez-Muller (VRAC Quesos Entrepinares) 24, 4
Martín Heredia (Costa Del Sol R.C.) 25, 7
Andoni Jorajuria (Biarritz Olimpique, France) 22, 4
Brice Labadie (Stade Montois, France) 21, New cap
Unai Lasa (Bera Bera RT) 22, 1
Pedro Martin (Ordizia RE) 24, 11
Rodrigo Martinez (CR La Vila) 32, 3
Jesús Moreno (Leeds Carnegie, England) 24, 7
Ramón Narváez (CR Majadahonda) 23, New cap
Federico Negrillo (Bizkaia Gernika R.T) 28, 9
Jesús Recuerda (Lille Metropole Rugby, France) 24,11
Mathieu Roca (Stade Aurillacois, France) 22, 2
Fabien Rofes (Montpellier, France) 29, 1
Carlos Jose Blanco Smith (Universidade Vigo) 26, new cap
Sergio Souto (El Salvador) 34, 50
Head Coach: Regis Sonnes

Adapted from http://www.ferugby.com

Portugal
António Aguilar (GD Direito)
Anthony Alves (Montauban, France)
Julien Bardy (Clermont Ferrand, France)
Lionel Campergue (Pau, France)
Rui D’Orey (GD Direito)
Bernardo Duarte (AEIS Agronomia)
Adérito Esteves (GD Direito)
Gonçalo Foro (CD University Lisboa)
Joe Gardener (Aubenas)
Tiago Girão (CD University Lisboa)
João Junior (CD University Lisboa)
Jacques Le Roux (AEISA Agronomia)
Pedro Leal (GD Direito)
Carl Murray (CD University Lisboa)
Juan Murre (El Salvador)
Frederico Oliveira (CD University Lisboa)
José Pinto (GD Direito)
Juan Severino (AEISA Agronomia)
Pedro Silva (CF Belenenses)
Bernardo Silveira (CD University Lisboa)
Cristian Spachuk (Colomiers Rugby, France)
Gonçalo Uva (Montpellier, France)
Vasco Uva (GD Direito)
Head Coach: Errol Brain

Adapted from http://www.ferugby.com