Russia qualify for Rugby World Cup as rivals fall

Russia have qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, after Romania – who had initially taken the slot – Spain and Belgium were all docked points for using ineligible players during the qualifying competition.

In the latest twist to a complicated and controversial series of matches and following an investigation by the independent judicial and disputes committee, World Rugby have docked the three nations five match points for each ineligible player used.

That equated to 30 points for Romania and Belgium – who offended in six qualifying matches – and 40 for Spain, who broke the rules on eight occasions.

That sees Russia replace Romania in second place, resulting in their elevation into Japan 2019 behind Georgia, who had already made it through on the strength of their performance at the last World Cup.

But Romania do seem to have grounds for appeal, amid claims that their ineligible player – Tongan Sione Faka’osilea – had been cleared to play by the Tonga Rugby Union.

Spain had hoped for a reprieve, after a World Rugby investigation into the circumstances of their loss to Belgium, but the independent panel chose to dock all three teams points, eliminating them from contention.

The judgment means Russia join Ireland, Scotland and Japan in Pool A, while Germany and Portugal will clash for the right to face Samoa in a final eliminator for World Cup qualification.

“Having considered all the evidence, including submissions from World Rugby, Rugby Europe, Spain and Belgium, the independent committee refused the request made by World Rugby and Spain to set aside the result of the match, and determined that the match should not be replayed,” the committee said in a statement.

“While the independent disputes committee has determined that mistakes were not made in bad faith by Rugby Europe and some participating unions, World Rugby is extremely disappointed with the unfortunate and avoidable events.”