Russia will feature in the Rugby World Cup for the first time in New Zealand 2011. Georgia will be at their third.
Both nations have enough points from the European Nations Cup as Russia have 21 points thanks to the 21-21 draw over the weekend against Romania in Sochi. Georgia have 23 points thanks to their win over Spain 17-9.
With two matches still to play in the top tier, Russia will post a minimum of 23 points even if they lose to both Germany and Georgia, with a point awarded for a loss in the European Nations Cup which spans two seasons. This is a tally reachable by either Portugal or Romania if they win their remaining games, but Russia would still finish second if they did end up level on 23 points as they have the superior record, having beaten Portugal twice and the Romanians once.
The European Nations Cup champion will qualify as Europe 1 and join Argentina, England, Scotland and the Play-off winner in Pool B in New Zealand, the runner-up slotting into Pool C with Australia, Ireland, Italy and USA. We will not know which nation will claim which until Russia and Georgia meet on neutral soil in the Turkish city of Trabzon on 20 March.
With Georgia and Russia set for New Zealand, though we do not know to which pool, we are now left with just two places still to fill at RWC 2011. Whoever finishes third, be it Portugal or Romania, will then meet either Lithuania or the winner of Division 2A on a home and away basis for the right to enter the cross-continental play-off to determine the 20th and final qualifier for RWC 2011.
This European side will first have to overcome Tunisia and then the winner of Uruguay’s encounter with the HSBC Asian Five Nations runner-up. Portugal are no stranger to this route, having qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in 2007 with a one-point aggregate win over Uruguay.
The other place at Rugby World Cup 2011 – the Asian qualifier – will be determined by the end of May with the HSBC Asian Five Nations winner to join hosts New Zealand, France, Tonga and Canada in Pool A.
The Russians are a tough team. Watch out for them!