SPAIN v BELGIUM: WCQ Europe, ENC 1A

08.02.2014

Venue: Campo Central de la Ciudad Universitaria de Madrid

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)

Preview
One of the test matches featured this weekend is the ENC 1A clash between Spain and Belgium. This outcome will virtually decide who is relegated from Division 1A and who will also be eliminated from Rugby World Cup finals contention. Spain has the home advantage but Belgium has brought back its star players for this clash. These two teams drew last year but I’m going for the visitors to win and keep the competition interesting.

Last Five Encounters
09.02.2013 Drawn 21-21 in Brussels (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
26.08.2006 Belgium 18-6 in Liege (4 Nations Tournament, Final)
08.12.1996 Spain 77-0 in Madrid (FIRA Classification; Pool A)
13.05.1993 Spain 67-3 in Lisbon (World Cup Qualifying)
05.11.1989 Spain 58-9 in Madrid (World Cup Qualifying)

Spain Last Five P 5, W 1, D 1, L 3
01.02.2014 v Russia L 25-28 in Madrid (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
23.11.2013 v Japan L 7-40 in Madrid
16.11.2013 v Uruguay L15-16 in Montevideo
09.11.2013 v Chile W 26-3 in Santiago
16.03.2013 v Portugal D 9-9 in Madrid (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)

Belgium Last Five
01.02.2014 v Georgia L 0-35 in Tiblisi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
21.12.2013 v Hong Kong L 15-18 in Hong Kong
17.12.2013 v Hong Kong L 17-28 in Hong Kong
02.11.2013 v Tunisia W 26-10 in Tabize
16.03.2013 v Russia L 32-43 in Soissons (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Spain 22nd, Belgium 24th
Europe Table: Spain 17th, Belgium 18th

IRB Ranking Points
Spain 59.37, Belgium 55.72

Prediction: Belgium by 5 points

Teams

Belgium

15		Alan Williams	Montluçon, France
14		Jens Torfs	USA  Perpignan, France
13		Guillaume Piron	US Colomiers, France
12		Guillaume Brébant	Boitsfort RC
11		Sylvain Roos	SU Agen, France
10		Sebastian Guns	Boitsfort RC
9		Julien Berger	La Rochelle, France
8		Thomas de Molder	Pau, France
7		Julien Morelli	Bastia, France
6		Andrew Neill	Tournefeuille, France
5		Mathieu Verschelden	La Voulte-Valence, France
4		Pierre Hendrickx	Boitsfort RC
3		Alain Miriallakis	NSW Waratahs, Australia
2		Thomas Dienst	Lille Metropole Rugby, France
1		Julien Massimi	RC Auxerre, France

Bench from…
Hendrik Brouwers, Christopher Brown, Alexis Cuffolo, Mika De Molder, Florent Debatty, Dirk Haghedooren, Maxime Jadot, Cyril Nana,  Anthony Scozzari and Marc Tchangue.

http://www.sportkipik.be/rugbynatio.php

15		Brice Labadie	Périgueux, France
14		Marcos Poggi	CA Lormont, France
13		César Sempere	CR El Salvador
12		Jaime Nava	US Bressane Paus I'Ain, France
11		Pierre Belzunce	Colomiers Rugby, France
10		Daniel Snee	Getxo RT
9		Pablo Feijóo (Capt.)	Bera Bera RT
8		Federico Negrillo	RC Vanes, France
7		Matthew Cook	Tunbridge Wells RFC, England
6		Gautier Gibouin	Union Bordeaux-Begles, France
5		Jesús Recuerda	Pays D'Aix RC
4		Aníbal Bonan	Stade Bagnerais, France
3		Jesús Moreno	Montluçon Rugby, France
2		Anthony Pradalie	FC Villefranche de Lauragais, Fr
1		Franck Labbe	CA Lormont, France
16		Ion Insausti	Hernani CRE
17		Juan Anaya	UA Libourne Rugby, France
18		David Barrera	RAC Angerein, France
19		Alvaro Núñez	CR El Salvador
20		Guillaume Rouet	Aviron Bayonnais, France
21		Javier Canosa	CRC Madrid
22		Ignacio Gutiérrez Müller	VRAC Vallodolid
23		Augustin Ortiz	US Nafarroa, France
		HEAD COACH: Santiago Santos