2007 Rugby World Cup - Europe qualification

2007 Rugby World Cup - European qualification is based around the European Nations Cup, and will decide which European teams will participate in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. The group stages will count towards both qualification and the European Nations Cup. Hosts France and other 2003 World Cup quarter finalists England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales qualify automatically.

Qualification process

"There are three places available for European teams, and one place in the repechage. The teams are 'ranked' according to their division in the European Nations Cup, taking into account the relegations and promotions at the end of the previous competition. Note that for the 2004/05 season Division 1 does not count towards World Cup qualification. The 2005/06 season will decide which round (either 4 or 5) the teams will enter. In the group rounds, there are three points awarded for a win, two for a draw, and one for a loss. There are no bonus points awarded."

Round 1

"The eight teams from divisions 3B (apart from newly relegated from 3A Hungary) and 3C (apart from Azerbaijan and Armenia) play each other in four two-legged playoffs. The winners enter the next round."

Round 2

"The four Round 1 winners, Hungary, and the fifteen teams from divisions 2A, 2B and 3A are drawn into four groups of five. They play each other once, with the best two teams qualifying for the next round. The third placed teams play in two two-legged playoffs to qualify for the next round."

Round 3

"The four winners, four runners-up, and two play-off winners from Round 2 are drawn into two groups of five. The best team from each group play each other in a two legged playoff for a place in the next round."

Round 4

"The bottom three teams from Division 1 2005/06 and the winner of the previous round play two two-legged playoffs to enter the next round."

Round 5

"The winner of Round 4 Playoff 1, the third placed team from Division 1 2005/06 and Six Nations competitor Italy form Pool A. The winner of Round 4 Playoff 2 and the first and second placed teams from Division 1 2005/06 form Pool B. The top team from each pool qualifies for the World Cup as "Europe 1" and "Europe 2". The second placed teams enter the next round."

Round 6

"The two second placed teams from Round 5 play a two-legged playoff, with the winner qualifying for the World Cup as "Europe 3". The loser enters the repechage as Europe 4."

Round 1

"Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria and Lithuania qualify for round 2."

Bulgaria win 92-6 on aggregate

Match Schedule

Match Schedule

Andorra win 40-34 on aggregate

Round 3

Pool A

"Spain enter playoff."

;Final Standings
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;Match ScheduleGeorgia win 28-14 on aggregate

External links

* [http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/qualifying/resultByZone.html World Cup website]