And it's a wrap-up in the pool stage of the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship 2025, with Georgia and Portugal confirming a home championship semifinal
Georgia, Romania, Spain, and Portugal are heading to Australia in 2027, with all four European nations having won their second set of games in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship, still with one round left to play.
Outwith the Six Nations spotlight, emerging nations jostle for position in another thrilling REC - with the added carrot of Rugby World Cup qualification.
Newcastle bowed out of Europe with a 26-7 loss to Montpellier at Kingston Park that leaves them bottom of their Challenge Cup group.
It is that time of the year to unbox your Christmas decorations and buy a pair of relaxed-fit trousers.
Portugal player ratings: Portugal’s second visit to Murrayfield ended in a 59-21 loss, with the Lobos conceding more than a wave of tries in the second half.
Simon Mannix’s Portugal will head to the Autumn Nations Series with a couple of new additions, as CA Brive’s and Pro D2’s top try scorer, Lucas da Silva is expected to make his debut for the Lobos.
In just a few days another season of the Top 14 kicks off with the likes of Owen Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Josua Tuisova, and Davit Niniashvili making the numbers of the overseas players ready to make the headlines and wrestle for the title.
Portugal player ratings: Portugal’s first-ever outing against the Springboks didn’t end in victory, but the Portuguese showed their fangs and produced more than a couple of spectacular moments.