European Rugby Cup

After the introduction of the division system in international European competitions, Romania became the first champion. In the first season of the tournament, the African national team of Morocco participated, having long-standing ties with the European rugby tradition. In the 2001 season, Georgia became the champion, and the Moroccans were replaced by the Russians . The Georgians beat the main rivals - the Romanians - in the away match with a score of 31:20.

Then the cup began to be played for two years, and therefore, at the end of the 2001 season, the Netherlands who finished last did not leave the major league. Despite the change in format, Georgia retained the title of 2001, while the 2002 games all teams began with the same results that they had in the previous 12 months. So, the Romanians, who tried to compensate for the Georgian advantage earned in 2001, won all the remaining five games of the draw, including the match in Tbilisi (31:23). Representatives of Georgia took the second place, and Russia became the third team. So, Georgia became the best team in 2001, and the Romanians became the strongest rugby players of 2001 and 2002.

In the 2003/04 season, Portugal unexpectedly successfully performed, beating the houses of reigning champions (16:15) and leading the tournament table for some time. In the second half of the championship, Romania restored the usual order, and beat the offenders with a score of 36: 6. Then, however, the Romanian players lost in the Krasnodar match with Russia (24:33). Despite the defeat from the Romanians, the Portuguese became champions, who won in the last round in the last minute against Russia (19:18).

The 2005/06 season also served as the qualifying round for the 2007 World Cup . Romania became the best team, and Georgia, which scored the same number of points, lost in secondary indicators. The Ukrainians left the major league, losing in all the games of the draw.

In the next season, Spain has returned to the list of the strongest teams. The victory remained with Georgia, which continued to demonstrate the strong game shown at the last World Cup. The Russian team gradually progressed, first taking second place. The result of Ukraine last season this time showed the Czechs .

At the beginning of 2009, the format of the tournament changed again. Now the championship title was awarded at the end of each year, but the team that should leave the division was determined on the basis of a two-year period. The 2009/10 season was also supposed to identify the participants of the upcoming world championship . In 2009, Germany made its debut in the top division. The Georgians defended the title, and the Romanian team did not have the best season, losing home to both Portugal and Russia.

The situation was such that the Romanians could for the first time in history miss the draw of the World Cup , which was to be held in New Zealand. In 2010, the team overcame negative trends and became the owner of the cup. However, this result was not enough to get a direct ticket to the championship. Georgia and Russia were automatically qualified, showing good results last year. The Romanians continued the struggle for the right to play in New Zealand in an additional round of playoffs and still managed to qualify. Germany, which did not win a single meeting, dropped out of the Premier League.

The 2011 season was victorious for Georgia. The key match of the year was held in Tbilisi, and the hosts beat Romania with a score of 18:11. Having returned to the number of the strongest, Ukraine again fell victim to a big difference in the class of teams and, having lost in all matches, returned to a level lower.

By the season (s) 2011/12 the tournament regulations have been updated. Divisions 1 and 2A were renamed to 1A and 1B, respectively. Each league now has six teams (previously five teams played in the second division). The next four groups (in the past - 2B, 3A, 3B, 3C) are now called 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D. The same teams that played in the 3D group now make up Division 3. The rules of each division (1, 2, 3) are slightly different.

In groups 1A and 1B, mainly professional or partially professional players play. Each group includes 6 teams, respectively, for the season each team holds 10 matches. Given the nature of the player’s interactions with the club and the national team, the organizers plan the season calendar so that the player can play for the national team during breaks in club championships. Every two years, one team is determined that leaves the league or, conversely, goes one level higher. This measure made it possible to ensure the stability of the composition of the participants.

In groups of the second division (2A, 2B, 2C, 2D) there are only 5 teams each, which reduces the costs of federations, in particular, transport. As a rule, each team plays two matches in the fall (at home and away) and two in the spring. Most of the players are amateur, and thus, the organizers have more freedom in scheduling games. In addition to exchanging one team between the leagues (once every 2 years), there is a playoff system in which the fourth team of the highest group fights the second team of the lower. The winner gains the right to play or continues to play in the highest group. Such a system makes it possible for a group of five teams to leave four at the same time (two will play in a higher group, two in a lesser status).

The tournament of the third division is held in one place, in a short period (7 or 10 days) and is organized once a year. This allows us to minimize the costs of federations for the transportation of players and equipment, payment for accommodation, etc. In addition, such a scheme does not require a stable composition of participants, which just corresponds to the specifics of the lower division: new teams appear, and old ones stop performing. Following the results of two years, the best team goes to the second division.

In the year the new system was introduced (2010), teams were not exchanged in any group below the highest. This is due to the fact that the second league (now 1B, in the past - 2A) has been expanded by one position.

Season 2014/16.

Forerunner Tournaments

Pre-war period

European Cup

Nations Cup

FIRA Trophy

European Cup of Nations

International European Championships

• Six Nations Cup

• Official website of the organizer