Russia may not have got the victory they were searching for
against Romania on Saturday, but the 21-21 draw in Sochi was enough
to qualify for a Rugby World Cup for the first time in their
history.
The draw takes Russia to 21 points in the European Nations
Cup 2010 standings, two points behind neighbours Georgia who also
confirmed their place at Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand this
weekend with a 17-9 victory over Spain.
With two matches still to play in the top tier, Russia will
post a minimum of 23 points even if they lose to both Germany and
Georgia, with a point awarded for a loss in the European Nations
Cup which spans two seasons.
This is a tally reachable by either Portugal or Romania if
they win their remaining games, but Russia would still finish
second if they did end up level on 23 points as they have the
superior record, having beaten Portugal twice and the Romanians
once.
Russia, though, do not yet know their opponents at Rugby
World Cup 2011 and may not whether they qualify as Europe 1 or
Europe 2 until they meet Georgia on neutral soil in the Turkish
city of Trabzon on 20 March.
The European Nations Cup champion will qualify as Europe 1
and join Argentina, England, Scotland and the Play-off winner in
Pool B in New Zealand, the runner-up slotting into Pool C with
Australia, Ireland, Italy and USA.
Two places remain at RWC 2011
Alexander Gvozdovskiy was the hero for Russia with two tries
against the Oaks, Yuri Kushnarev converting one of the wing's
tries and kicking three penalties in the draw which puts
Romania's ever-present attendance at Rugby World Cups at
threat.
With Georgia and Russia claiming the region's two direct
places to Rugby World Cup 2011, the battle is now on to finish
third in the European Nations Cup to keep alive hopes of making the
trip to New Zealand.
Romania currently lie fourth with 14 points, three behind
Portugal although they do have a game in hand after their match
with Spain earlier this month was postponed due to snow and
freezing conditions in Bucharest.
The Romanians had briefly climbed above Portugal in the
standings on Saturday, but their emphatic 69-0 victory over Germany
at the Kultur-und Sportzentrum Martinsee in Heusenstamm took Tomaz
Morais' charges back into third.
Whoever finishes third, be it Portugal or Romania, will then
meet either Lithuania or the winner of Division 2A on a home and
away basis for the right to enter the cross-continental play-off to
determine the 20th and final qualifier for RWC 2011.
This European side will first have to overcome Tunisia and
then the winner of Uruguay's encounter with the HSBC Asian Five
Nations runner-up. Portugal are no stranger to this route, having
qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in 2007 with a one-point
aggregate win over Uruguay.
The other place at Rugby World Cup 2011 - the Asian qualifier
- will be determined by the end of May with the HSBC Asian Five
Nations winner to join hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada
in Pool A.