2016–17 Rugby Europe Conference

The 2016–17 Rugby Europe Conference is the third-level rugby union competition below the premier Championship and Trophy competitions. It is the inaugural Conference under its new format, that will see Andorra, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta and Sweden compete for the Conference 1 title. While Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey will compete for the Conference 2 title.

2016–17 Rugby Europe Conference
Date3 September 2016 – 6 May 2017
Countries20
Tournament statistics
Champions Czech Republic (2nd title)
Grand Slam Czech Republic (2)
 Hungary (1)
Matches played36
Attendance25,020 (695 per match)
Tries scored237 (6.58 per match)
Top point scorer(s)Conference 1
Israel Ori Abutbul (60)
Conference 2
Hungary Gregorie Collet (48)
Top try scorer(s)Conference 1
Malta James Kirk (7)
Conference 2
Hungary Gregorie Collet (6)
Official websiteRugby International Championship
2014–16 (Previous)(Next) 2017–2018

The winners of Conference 1 North and South will play an additional match, a promotion play-off to the Trophy competition for the 2017–18 season. While the bottom placed teams of Conference 1 North and South will be relegated to Conference 2 for the following season, replacing the North and South winners of Conference 2. The team with the worst record in an aggregated Conference 2 table, will be relegated to the Development league for the following season.

Conference 1

North

Table

Champions and advances to
Promotion play-off
Relegated
PlaceNationGamesPointsTry
BP
Losing
BP
Grand Slam
BP
Table
points
playedwondrawnlostforagainstdifference
1  Czech Republic440015826+13230019
2  Lithuania43019347+4620014
3  Latvia42025698−420109
4  Sweden410356124−681106
5  Luxembourg400439107−680101
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win – 4 points
Draw – 2 points
At least 3 more tries than opponent- 1 point
Loss within 8 points – 1 point
Loss greater than 8 points – 0 points
Completing a Grand Slam – 2 points (will not be counted towards World Cup Qualification)

Fixtures

3 September 2016Sweden  14–56  Czech RepublicEnköpings Rugbyklubb, Enkoping 
15:00 CEST (UTC+02)Try: Theuri Njuru 72' c
Nave Bobby 79' c
Con: Conor Murphy (2/2) 73', 79'
Cards: Måns Derl 20' to 30'
Match detailsTry: Vojtěch Havel 7' c, 23' c, 60' c
Martin Charvát 18' c
Aleš Stejskal 36' c
Jiří Pantůček 48' c
Martin Wognitch 70' c
Jan Olbrich 76' c
Con: Tomáš Forst (8/8) 8', 19', 24', 37', 48', 61', 71', 77'
Cards: Ondřej Kutil 64' to 74'
Attendance: 400
Referee: Maxime Burlet (Belgium)
22 October 2016Latvia  31–24  LuxembourgJelgava Stadium, Jelgava 
15:00Try: Emīls Balodis 10'
Valters Raņķis 16'
Guntis Cirša 26'
Elmārs Šefanovskis 44'
Robert Davidsons 67'
Con: Roberts Davidsons 17', 27', 45'
Report[1]Try: Saman Rezapour 19'
Jean-Baptiste Vert 30' (matchsheet error with Dozin)
William Dennis 48'
Jean-Baptiste Vert 55'
Con: William Browne 31', 56'
Attendance: 450
Referee: T. Tuma
5 November 2016Lithuania  11–6  LatviaDarius and Girėnas Stadium, Kaunas 
15:00 EET (UTC+02)Try: Donatas Vilimavicius 73'
Pen: Kestutis Marcisauskas 15'
Dovydas Taujanskas 80'
Report[2]Pen: Roberts Džo Davidsons 28', 78'Attendance: 500
Referee: Artur Kaptyukh
5 November 2016Luxembourg  0–19  SwedenStade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City 
16:00Report[3]Try: James Darbyshire 6'
Henning Ekstrand 14'
Fredrik Enstad 27'
Con: Neill Erasmus 15', 28'
Attendance: 1,200
Referee: Trentin Luca
12 November 2016Czech Republic  15–6  LithuaniaRugby Club Tatra Smichov, Prague 
14:00 CET (UTC+01)Try: Jan Rohlík 2'
Lukáš Rapant 8'
Con: Tomáš Forst 9'
Pen: Tomáš Forst 66'
Cards: Lukáš Rapant 62' to 72'
Report[4]Pen: Donatas Vilimavicius 49', 63'Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Nika Amashukelli
15 April 2017Czech Republic  54–3  LatviaStadion ragby Císařka, Prague 
14:00 CEST (UTC+02)
22 April 2017Lithuania  24–12  LuxembourgVingis Park Rugby Stadium, Vilnius 
15:00 EEST (UTC+03)
29 April 2017Latvia  16–9  SwedenDaugava Stadium, Riga 
6 May 2017Sweden  14–52  LithuaniaEnköpings Rugbyklubb, Enkoping 
15:00 CEST (UTC+02)
6 May 2017Luxembourg  3–33  Czech RepublicStade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City 

South

Table

Champions and advances to
Promotion play-off
Relegated
PlaceNationGamesPointsTry
BP
Losing
BP
Grand Slam
BP
Table
points
playedwondrawnlostforagainstdifference
1  Malta431014749+9830017
2  Israel4301135100+3520014
3  Croatia31117752+251108
4  Andorra410362181−1190004
5  Cyprus30034584−390101
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win – 4 points
Draw – 2 points
At least 3 more tries than opponent- 1 point
Loss within 8 points – 1 point
Loss greater than 8 points – 0 points
Completing a Grand Slam – 2 points (will not be counted towards World Cup Qualification)

Fixtures

22 October 2016Andorra  15–63  MaltaEstadi Nacional, Andorra La Vella 
18:00 CEST (UTC+02)Try: Albert Canturri 52'
Marc Torrent 72'
Con: Marc Abello 52'
Pen: Marc Abello 5'
Report[5]Try: Thomas Holloway 14'
James Kirk 24', 28', 42', 48'
Daniel Apsee 39', 46'
Toby Quarendon 63'
Luke Watts 76'
Con: James Morris 15', 25', 29', 43', 47', 77'
Pen: James Morris 3', 10'
Cards: Isaac Bezzina 70' to 80'
Attendance: 400
Referee: R. Angelucci
29 October 2016Malta  31–3  CyprusHibernians Stadium, Paola 
14:00 CEST (UTC+02)Try: James Morris 40'
James Kir 45', 53'
Rory O'Brien 71'
Daniel Apsee 82'
Con: James Morris 41', 45', 83'
Cards: Matthew Spiteri 65' to 75'
Report[6]Pen: Alex Zavallis 35'
Cards: Matthew King 80' to 83'
Referee: Ariel Cabral
29 October 2016Croatia  47–15  AndorraStari plac Stadium, Split 
16:00Try: Srđan Majkić 2', 9'
Tomislav Burazin 6', 18'
Mario Ozich 15'
Jay Ayoub 33', 55'
Con: Jay Ayoub 3', 6', 10', 16', 34', 56'
Cards: Dominik Draženović 24' to 34'
Luka Perlain 46' to 56'
Report[7]Try: Fanck Mitjana 51', 76'
Con: Marc Abello 52'
Pen: Benjamin Fajol 1'
Cards: Edisher Jamrulidze 23' to 33'
Peter Ambor 46' to 56'
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Ionut Bodea
5 November 2016Israel  23–16  CroatiaWingate Institute, Netanya 
14:00 IST (UTC+02)Try: Amit Kakoun 4'
Gilad Goldstein 31'
Jonathan Radashkovich 38'
Con: Ori Abutbul 31'
Pen: Ori Abutbul 19', 57'
Report[8]Try: Dylan Rowe 72'
Con: Jay Ayoub 72'
Pen: Jai Ayoub 18', 28', 47'
Attendance: 1,700
Referee: John Catteau
12 November 2016Cyprus  28–38  IsraelPafiako Stadium, Paphos 
14:30 EET (UTC+02)Try: Andrew Fell 12'
Marcus Holden 26'
Luke Peters 41'
Con: Marcus Holden 12', 41'
Pen: Marcus Holden 25', 39', 69'
Report[9]Try: Jonathan Radashkovich 2'
Amit Kakoun 17'
Thomas Burden 32'
Ori Abutbul 60', 62'
Guy Matisis 78'
Con: Ori Abutbul 32'
Pen: Ori Abutbul 48', 85'
Attendance: 500
Referee: Matéj Rázga
11 February 2017Andorra  15–14  CyprusEstadi Nacional, Andorra La Vella 
18:00 CET (UTC+01)
8 April 2017Israel  57–17  AndorraWingate Institute, Netanya 
14:00 IST (UTC+02)
22 April 2017Malta  39–17  IsraelHibernians Stadium, Paola 
14:00 CET (UTC+01)
29 April 2017Croatia  14–14  MaltaTBA 
Attendance: 1,500
6 May 2017Cyprus  27–29  CroatiaPafiako Stadium, Paphos 
15:00 EEST (UTC+03)http://www.rugbyeurope.eu/sites/default/files/document/170429_reic_conference_1_sud_crovmal_gamesheet.pdf

Conference 2

North

Table

Champions and Promoted
Possibly relegated
PlaceNationGamesPointsTry
BP
Losing
BP
Grand Slam
BP
Table
points
playedwondrawnlostforagainstdifference
1  Denmark430116142+11930015
2  Hungary330012025+9520014
3  Finland310287107−201005
4  Norway31025593−380004
5  Estonia300323179−1560000
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win – 4 points
Draw – 2 points
At least 3 more tries than opponent- 1 point
Loss within 8 points – 1 point
Loss greater than 8 points – 0 points
Completing a Grand Slam – 2 points (will not be counted towards World Cup Qualification)

Fixtures

1 October 2016Estonia  5–53  HungaryKalevi Keskstaadion, Tallinn 
14:00 EEST (UTC+03)Try: Marten Martinson 50'
Cards: Pedro Maria Galladro Mateos 55' to 65'
Report[10]Try: Gregorie Collet 16', 25', 58'
Kornél Kiss 19'
Dávid Drabbant 54', 71'
Ákos Ágotai 77'
Con: Gregorie Collet 17', 19', 58', 72', 77'
Martin Sacase 25'
Pen: Gregorie Collet 14', 23'
Attendance: 200
Referee: George Kopp
8 October 2016Norway  48–31  FinlandBislett Stadium, Oslo 
14:00 CEST (UTC+02)Try: Stewart Elliot 20', 79'
Mickael Guardia 25', 54'
Penalty Try 62'
Tobias Nygaard 67'
James Buncle 72'
Con: Adam Jones 21'
Nathan Cummins 55', 62', 73', 80'
Pen: Nathan Cummins 33'
Report[11]Try: Julius Kekeläinen 5'
Jussi Viljanen 17'
Mauno Konttila 29'
Philip Sleath 35'
Henri Repo 43'
Con: Jussi Viljanen 5', 18', 30'
Cards: Mauno Konttila 68' to 78'
Referee: Alfonso Nogueria
8 October 2016Hungary  25–13  DenmarkRCH Stadion, Esztergom 
15:00 CEST (UTC+02)Try: Jonatán Katona 28'
Dávid Drabbant 39'
Thomas Ducrocq 45'
Con: Martin Sacase 29'
Gregorie Collet 40'
Pen: Martin Sacase 10', 16'
Cards: Szabolcs Pocskai 80' to 80'
Report[12]Try: Nicklas Tell 73'
Con: Peder Bjerrum 73'
Pen: Peder Bjerrum 13', 47'
Referee: H. Bartoli
22 October 2016Finland  51–6  EstoniaMyllypuro sports park, Helsinki 
13:00 EEST (UTC+03)Try: Ossi Aro 2'
Samu-Petteri Pääkkö 17'
Jussi Viljanen 32', 60', 74'
Matti Keränen 41'
Antti Lammi 63'
Richard Hennessy 72'
Con: Henri Repo 61', 64', 73', 75'
Pen: Jussi Viljanen 37'
Report[13]Pen: Luke Veebel 9', 35'
Cards: Jaan Lorens 31' to 41'
Attendance: 300
Referee: R. Grumbinas
22 October 2016Denmark  20–0  NorwayOdense Atletikstadion, Odense 
16:00 CEST (UTC+02)Try: Tomas Mayne 22'
Nicklas Tell 30'
Agbeko Hounou 34'
Con: Joshua Jensen 30'
Pen: Thomas Thimotee
Cards: Mikkel Jensen 80' to 83'
Malte Madsen 83' to 83'
Report[14]Cards: Andrew Fraser-Smith 66' to 76'Attendance: 500
Referee: Dan Maughan
22 April 2017Denmark  53–5  FinlandOdense Atletikstadion, Odense 
16:00 CEST (UTC+02)
22 April 2017Hungary  42–7  NorwayTBA 
29 April 2017Estonia  12–75  DenmarkKalevi Keskstaadion, Tallinn 
14:00 EEST (UTC+03)
6 May 2017Finland  5–37  HungaryMyllypuro sports park, Helsinki 
13:00 EEST (UTC+03)
6 May 2017Norway  43–16  EstoniaInternational School of Stavanger, Stavanger 
14:00 CEST (UTC+02)

South

Table

Champions and Promoted
Relegated
PlaceNationGamesPointsTry
BP
Losing
BP
Grand Slam
BP
Table
points
playedwondrawnlostforagainstdifference
1  Bosnia and Herzegovina43019054+3601013
2  Austria43017951+2800012
3  Slovenia420211448+6611010
4  Serbia420277107−301009
5  Turkey*40040100−1000000
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win – 4 points
Draw – 2 points
At least 3 more tries than opponent- 1 point
Loss within 8 points – 1 point
Loss greater than 8 points – 0 points
Completing a Grand Slam – 2 points (will not be counted towards World Cup Qualification)

Fixtures

8 October 2016Austria  29–22  Bosnia and HerzegovinaHohe Warte Stadium, Vienna 
15:00 CEST (UTC+02)Try: Christopher Lynton-Evans 52'
Benjamin Preclik 63'
Con: Max Navas 53', 64'
Pen: Max Navas 9', 23', 33', 60', 73'
Cards: Johannes Dachler 85' to 85'
Report[15]Try: Mahir Bišić 11'
Fadil Spahić 42'
Mirsad Fetić 77'
Con: Sabahudin Subašić 43', 78'
Pen: Sabahudin Subašić 20'
Cards: Mahir Bišić 17' to 27'
Mirsad Fetić 43' to 53'
Edin Pojskić 73' to 83'
Attendance: 700
Referee: Stepan Cekal
29 October 2016Slovenia  74–13  SerbiaŽŠD Ljubljana Stadium, Ljubljana 
14:00 CEST (UTC+02)Try: Max Nikolei Skofic 10', 41', 67'
Lewis John Catt 23', 36', 60'
Žiga Burnik 40'
George Frederic Skofic 45', 64', 71'
Lovro Sambol 80'
Con: Frank Joseph Skofic 37', 40', 42', 61', 65', 68', 72', 80'
Pen: Žiga Burnik 7'
Report[16]Try: Nikola Arsić 48'
Con: Michael Brian Kovacic 49'
Pen: Boris Martić 15', 20'
Cards: Milan Marinković 35' to 45'
Attendance: 500
Referee: Matteo Liperini
5 November 2016Serbia  25–0*  TurkeyVojnom Stadionu, Zrenjanin 
14:00 CET (UTC+01)
12 November 2016Turkey  0–25*  AustriaTBA 
26 November 2016Turkey  0–25*  SloveniaTBA 
4 March 2017Bosnia and Herzegovina  25–0*  TurkeyStadion Kamberovice Polje, Zenica 
14:00 CET (UTC+01)
8 April 2017Slovenia  15–22  Bosnia and HerzegovinaŽŠD Ljubljana Stadium, Ljubljana 
14:00 CEST (UTC+02)
22 April 2017Austria  13–0  SloveniaTBA 
17:00 CEST (UTC+02)
22 April 2017Bosnia and Herzegovina  21–10  SerbiaStadion Kamberovice Polje, Zenica 
15:00 CEST (UTC+02)
29 April 2017Serbia  29–12  AustriaRad Stadium, Belgrade 
14:00 CEST (UTC+02)
  • Due to financial problems  Turkey could not compete. All games are counted as a 25–0 victory for the opposing side

Conference 2 aggregate table

relegated
PlaceNationGamesPointsBonus
points
Table
points
playedwondrawnlostforagainstdifference
1  Hungary22007818+60114
2  Slovenia22009913+8619
3  Austria33006722+45012
4  Finland21018254+2815
5  Bosnia and Herzegovina21014729+1815
6  Norway21014851−315
7  Denmark21013325+804
8  Serbia21013874−3604
9  Estonia200211104−9300
10  Turkey40040100−10000
Points were awarded to the teams as follows:
Win – 4 points
Draw – 2 points
4 or more tries – 1 point
Loss within 7 points – 1 point
Loss greater than 7 points – 0 points

See also

References