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Having been depleted for RWC qualifiers earlier this year Germany is set to Return to full strength for RWC qualifier against Portugal.
World Rugby’s disqualification of Romania and Spain sees Russia qualifying for RWC 2019 as Europe 1. The Europe 2 spot will go to the winner of Germany vs Portugal. The Europe 2 match will be played in Heidelberg, Germany next week on June 16. The winner will advance to face Samoa in Apia on June 30 and then host the return fixture on July 14.
The winner of Samoa vs Europe 2 will qualify for RWC 2019 as the Play-Off Winner. This team will complete Pool A, facing Japan, Ireland, Russia, and Scotland.
The loser of Samoa vs Europe 2 will yet have a shot at reaching Japan 2019. The team will enter repechage, joining Canada, Africa 2 and either the Cook Islands or Hong Kong. The four team competition will take place in France in November.
The winner of repechage will qualify for RWC 2019, entering Pool B. This pool contains RWC 2011 and 2015 champions New Zealand in addition to 1995 and 2007 champions South Africa. Also involved will be Italy and Africa 1.
Germany’s unlikely shot at taking-on Samoa comes after Russia replaced Romania as Europe 1 and Belgium, Romania and Spain were all disqualified. This meant that the bottom of the table Germans advance based on there being no other team from the Rugby Europe Championship who competed within the rules of the RWC qualifying series.
Germany’s rugby union, the DRV and the Society for the Promotion of Rugby Sports mbH (GFR), are now working in collaboration to quickly prepare Germany for Portugal. Kick-off for the big game in Heidelberg has been confirmed for 3pm.
