Belgium became the first team to book their place in the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 Final Qualification Tournament with a 31-10 defeat of the Netherlands in the Rugby Europe Championship fifth-place play-off on Saturday.
Despite missing out on a place in the semi-finals and a guaranteed ticket to RWC 2027, the victors of Saturday’s play-off knew they would take a step closer to securing a debut appearance at the showpiece tournament.
And it was the Black Devils who grasped that opportunity with both hands in Amsterdam, building an impressive 24-0 lead in the first half.
The Netherlands chipped away at that advantage with an unconverted try before the break but Belgium weren’t to be denied.
Florian Remue waltzed his way through the Dutch defence early in the second half to extend the Belgian lead to 26 points and secure both fifth place in the championship and a shot at glory. It meant a late second try for the Dutch was little more than consolation.
Belgium will head to the Final Qualification Tournament in November hoping to secure their passage to a first ever Rugby World Cup.
In Saturday's other game, Jules Porcher slotted a last-minute drop goal to give Switzerland their first ever Rugby Europe Championship victory, a 20-17 win against Germany in the seventh-place play-off.
(Photo credit: Rugby Europe)
