Hot Stats Round 2 - Men's Rugby Europe Championship

Hot Stats Round 2 - Men's Rugby Europe Championship

First hot stat of Round 2: all home teams got a win and bonus point, proving how the host card can be vital in the competition.

As Portugal got back to their feet, Georgia, Spain and Romania remained undefeated and all four have a chance to secure a home championship semi-final, while Belgium is still in the race to qualify for the top-4.

Lineout accuracy: 10 in 10

Lineouts and scrums have become the two influential aspects of the game, as they have the power to determine the outcome extremely close matches. For Romania, the set-piece was a massive advantage, as it helped them to the try-line, even when they were two men down.

The “Oaks” wrapped up their victory versus Belgium with an astounding 100% accuracy in the lineout, winning their ten throws, two of which converted into tries. After a slow start, the Romanian forward pack rose to their feet and got behind the steering wheel, controlling key moments of the game, and making good use of their deep set-piece knowledge to help the home side get one step closer to a home semi-final.

Tries: 8

After a disheartening loss in Mons, the “Lobos” licked their wounds and mounted a perfect response at the Estádio Nacional do Jamor, scoring eight tries and conceding only one in their first home game of the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship season.


The Portuguese hosts pulled out all stops, flourishing with eight tries provided a bonus point victory, means they are in 2nd place with one round to go. The speed, agility, and pace were simply brilliant at times, with the likes of Hugo Camacho (hattrick), Lucas Martins, Manuel Cardoso Pinto, and José Paiva dos Santos shining bright every time the oval ball found her way into their possession. It was the best way to rebound from them not scoring a try against Belgium, and it seems the “Lobos” are still famished for more. 

Tackle accuracy: 94%

A gorgeous and sunny day welcomed back Georgia to the Avchala Stadium, and the “Lelos” answered back in the only way they could: by winning. But let’s focus not on their try-scoring prowess (Akaki Tabutsadze has scored his 24th Men’s REC try), but on their defensive performance as it tells a story of dominance. Richard Cockerill’s men closed the game with a 94% tackle accuracy rate, landing 80 successful tackle attempts, missing just six (all of them in the Dutch half), and bossed the opposition to commit errors.

An abrasive but controlled aggressive display of physical and technical power provided them enough chances to score points and provide their fans with another memorable day.  

Kicking metres: 730

Estanislao Bay’s try was one of the main highlights of Spain’s victory over Germany, and it began with Alberto Carmona’s chip kick, catching the opposite side by surprise. Spain executed a masterful kicking game plan, creating serious problems for the visiting side, as the high balls were crafted in a way that the Spanish could easily disrupt. At the same time, the deep kicks forced Germany to reset their attack further down from what they would’ve wanted.

Estanislao Bay (357), Alberto Carmona (160), and Bautista Güemes (160) kicking game was perfect, and it is quickly becoming one of the new features in Pablo Bouza’s side. Spain finished in style and with a bonus point victory they are through to the Championship semifinals, and it is up to Georgia to stop the brilliant and accurate Spanish kicking arsenal. 



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