This weekend is the start of the 6 Nations but it is also the start of the Rugby Europe Championship the 2nd tier of European rugby behind the 6 Nations. Everyone always talks about how Georgia should be allowed to be part of the 6 Nations in a playoff. This year though the Rugby Championship has a new entry to the second tier of European rugby so will we be talking of a playoff with Switzerland?
Last year Switzerland were undefeated in the Rugby Europe Trophy and they take the big step up to the European Championship finding themselves in a pool with the 2024 winners Georgia, 3rd placed Spain and 5th Place Netherlands. Tough is an under statement!
With a warmup match last November in Mons against a very well prepared Belgium squad who finished 7th in 2024 they know what this is going to be like and have been training hard.
With a place in the 2027 World Cup a possibility this year is a big one!
So for the facts. The eight teams are split into 2 pools of 4 in the Rugby Europe Championship. After the pool stages the top 2 from each play each other in the finals of the Championship in a knockout for the title, all knowing they have qualified for the 2027 RWC.
The bottom 2 of each pool also playoff for the prize of a reportage place to possibly qualify for the RWC 2027, importantly this also ranks the teams and could mean dropping back to the lower tier. Potentially the last game could be the most important in the end!
You can keep up to date here with all the scores in 2025.
So who are Switzerlands opposition?
First up will be an away game to Georgia played in the Avchala Rugby Stadium, Tbilisi Saturday 1st February 12:50 CET. Not one I will be travelling to due to the distance and cost a shame as I would have liked to of photograph it.
With the average weight/height of the Georgian props 127kg/1.85m the scrum is going to be an area of importance and one they have great experience with many of their players playing in France top 14 and pro D2.
This game will be tough and I hope we do not pick up any injuries as the games are back to back.
Sunday 9th February Switzerland will play their second game and welcome Spain to Stade Municipal, Yverdon les bains.
Spain are known for their fast flowing rugby, this was a key element in their 29 – 20 win over Tonga, July 2024. We can expect a fast paced game but will the February cold weather affect their style of play. Spain will also have their sights firmly set on the RWC27 having missed out previously with their last World Cup appearance being 1999. Watch out for Toulouse’s tighthead prop Joel Merkler in the front row for the Leones, along with another 17 French based Spanish players.
See you in Yverdon! Hopp Schwiiz!! 
Finally in the pool stage Switzerland travel away to Netherlands 13:00 CET Saturday 15th February at the National Rugby Center, Amsterdam.
Having seen the U18 setup recently and their dedication and heard their africans accents the mix of players will be interesting. Netherlands have been playing at this level now for sometime and whilst not considered a stereotypical rugby nation they will be hard to beat but a win here might be enough to push Switzerland into position for 4th or 5th place. A tall order or just what their hard work deserves we will see but this photographer is going to be pitch side.
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