Europe 1: Spain in pole position to play Japan in 2019 RWC opener

Spain produced one of the their most memorable shocks in recent times last weekend as they beat Romania 22-10 in Madrid to put themselves in pole position to qualify for 2019 Rugby World Cup.

After notching another valuable victory away to Russia in Week 1 of the 2018 Rugby Europe Championship, Los Leones currently lie first in the qualifying race to become Europe 1.

Spain's two remaining RWC 2019 qualifiers in the (REC) are at home to Germany on March 11 and away to Belgium on March. Spain also face Georgia in a non-qualifying match in Round 3 of the tournament.

Almost 20 years have passed since Spain played in their only Rugby World Cup in 1999, two bonus point victories for Santiago Santos' charges will see them placed in Pool A of the 2019 showpiece in Japan.

The Europe 1 winner will have the honour of playing the Brave Blossoms in the opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup at Tokyo Stadium on Friday 20th of September, 2019.