The year 2023 will be marked by change for Rugby Europe. The continental body, chaired by Romanian Octavian Morariu (also an IOC member), has unveiled the next edition of the European Men’s Rugby XV Championship. It will feature an expanded version of the competition, with Belgium, Germany and Poland moving up to the next level. The three promoted countries join Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Spain and the Netherlands. The eight nations will be divided into two pools for the first phase of the competition, played over three weekends in February 2023. The top four will then meet in the semi-finals on 4 and 5 March at the home of the top-ranked teams. For the first time ever, a ‘Grand Final’ Sunday will see all teams compete on 19 March to crown the REC2023 champions. The gold and bronze finals of the championship will take place in Badajoz, Spain, at the Nuevo Vivero Stadium. Three of the eight European Championship teams, Georgia, Romania and Portugal, have qualified for the 2023 World Cup in France.
