2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification explained

Datefrom:4 September 2004
Dateto:25 November 2006
Nations:36
Prev:2003
Next:2011

2007 Rugby World Cup – European qualification was a European Nations Cup competition that decided which European teams participated in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. The group stages counted towards both qualification and the European Nations Cup. Hosts France and other 2003 World Cup quarter finalists England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales qualified automatically.

Qualification process

There were three places available for European teams, and one place in the repechage. The teams were ranked according to their division in the European Nations Cup, taking into account the relegations and promotions at the end of the previous competition. Note that for the 2004/05 season Division 1 did not count towards World Cup qualification. The 2005/06 season decided which round (either 4 or 5) the teams entered. In the group rounds, there were three points awarded for a win, two for a draw, and one for a loss. There were no bonus points awarded.

Round 1

The eight teams from divisions 3B (apart from newly relegated from 3A Hungary) and 3C (apart from Azerbaijan and Armenia) played each other in four two-legged playoffs. The winners entered the next round.

Round 2

The four Round 1 winners, Hungary, and the fifteen teams from divisions 2A, 2B and 3A were drawn into four groups of five. They played each other once, with the best two teams qualifying for the next round. The third placed teams played in two two-legged playoffs to qualify for the next round.

Round 3

The four winners, four runners-up, and two play-off winners from Round 2 were drawn into two groups of five. The best team from each group played each other in a two legged playoff for a place in the next round.

Round 4

The bottom three teams from Division 1 2005/06 and the winner of the previous round played two two-legged playoffs to enter the next round.

Round 5

The winner of Round 4 Playoff 1, the third placed team from Division 1 2005/06 and Six Nations competitor Italy form Pool A. The winner of Round 4 Playoff 2 and the first and second placed teams from Division 1 2005/06 form Pool B. The top team from each pool qualified for the World Cup as Europe 1 and Europe 2. The second placed teams entered the next round.

Round 6

The two second placed teams from Round 5 played a two-legged playoff, with the winner qualifying for the World Cup as Europe 3. The loser entered the repechage as Europe 4.

Round 1

Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria and Lithuania qualified for round 2.

--------

Andorra won 99–12 on aggregate

The first match was refereed by André Watson. He was called by the International Board, because in this way the first match of qualification the new edition of Rugby World Cup could be refereed by the same judge as the last match (the final) of the Rugby World Cup 2003. Watson had announced his retirement from international rugby only three months before after a match between Australia and Pacific Islands.

--------

Austria won 41–17 on aggregate

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Bulgaria won 92–6 on aggregate

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Lithuania won 113–7 on aggregate

Round 2

Pool A

Spain and Croatia qualified for Round 3. Andorra entered the playoffs.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
1431020155+14611
2431011554+6111
342028875+138
4410358141−836
5400440177−1374

Match Schedule

----------------------------------------

Pool B

Germany and Moldova qualified for Round 3. Denmark entered the playoffs.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
1440024827+22112
2420210063+378
342023384−518
4420242101−568
5400420168−1484

Match Schedule

----------------------------------------

Pool C

Belgium and the Netherlands qualified for Round 3. Sweden entered the playoffs.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
144009546+4912
2430113353+8010
342027698−228
4410363103−406
5400456123−674

Match Schedule

----------------------------------------

Pool D

Poland and Serbia and Montenegro qualified for round 3. Malta entered the playoffs.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
1440012549+7612
242117952+279
342026685−198
441127751+267
5400438148−1104

Match Schedule

----------------------------------------

Playoffs

Andorra and Malta qualified for Round 3.

--------

Malta win 31–30 on aggregate

--------

Andorra won 40–34 on aggregate

Round 3

Pool A

Spain entered playoff.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
1440016332+13112
243018796−910
3420211374+398
4410363131−686
5400430123−934

Match Schedule

----------------------------------------

Pool B

Germany entered playoff.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
1440020930+17912
2430110168+3310
342024285−438
441037686−106
5400427186−1594

Match Schedule

----------------------------------------

Playoff

Spain qualified for Round 4.

--------

Spain win 42–28 on aggregate

European Nations Cup Division 1 2004/06

See 2004–2006_European_Nations_Cup_First_Division

Romania, Georgia, and Portugal qualified for Round 5. Russia, Czech Republic, and Ukraine qualified for Round 4.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
11080238994+29526
210802353125+22826
310613193183+1023
410415290202+8819
510307164306−14216
610001077556−47910

Round 4 – September 2006

Spain and Russia qualified for Round 5.

--------Spain won 79–29 on aggregate--------Russia won 62–28 on aggregate

Round 5 – October 2006

Pool A

Italy qualified for World Cup as Europe 1. Portugal entered Round 6.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
122001507+1436
2210126106−804
320023093−632
Match Schedule------------

Pool B

Romania qualified for World Cup as Europe 2. Georgia entered Round 6.

PlaceNationGamesPointsTable
points
played won drawn lost for against difference
122006328+356
221014543+24
320024380−372
Match Schedule------------

Round 6 – November 2006

Georgia qualified for World Cup as Europe 3. Portugal entered repechage as Europe 4.--------

Georgia won 28–14 on aggregate

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