Portugal may be the dark horse to keep an eye on

SO we already knew 12 of the RWC2023 finalists and this week we got the pool draw which in some cases have an all too familiar look.

Is there any chance of a surprise qualifier to brighten up the qualifying process over the next two years which will decide the remaining eight places? Or will all the usual suspects take their place in France?

My gut feeling, alas, is no, but if there is to be a really meaningful scrap for qualification it will come from Europe which has two allotted places while a third team will contest the repechage finals.

Georgia’s failure to secure a top 12 place at RWC2019 – and therefore an automatic place in France – has complicated the European qualifying which will be decided by amalgamating the REC tournaments for 2021-22.

The Lelos will be favourites but they are in transition and beneath them there is absolutely nothing to choose between Spain, Russia, Romania and – here possibly is the dark horse to keep an eye on – a resurgent Portugal who are currently ranked 20th in the world.

Portugal’s U20 sides of recent seasons have thrown up a clutch of outstanding young backs. Look out for the names Manuel Pinto, Raffael Storti, Rodriggo Marta, Joao Lima and Jeronimo Portela who will be looking to showcase their talents.

The Portuguese, like the Spanish, are also tapping into heritage players in France with six or seven professionals, mainly from Pro D2, expected to come on stream for the two-year campaign.

One trusts the paperwork is all in order after the eligibility issues that marred the qualifying process for RWC2019 with both Spain and Romania falling foul of the authorities.

Spain, currently ranked 17th in the world, have bounced back well from that disappointment, their domestic league is going well despite various Covid challenges and they have identified which of their French-based players are properly qualified.

Back at the start of November they recorded a notable 32-20 win in Montevideo over Uruguay and I make them marginal favourites to take the runners-up spot behind Georgia, not that I would risk a single pound of my hardearned on such a prediction.

Romania are ranked 18th and with a shiny new home ground in Bucharest and Andy Robinson beginning to crack the whip as coach will surely start to improve while Russia (21st) will be desperate to make an impact as they put together their bid for RWC2027.

Somebody is going to be very disappointed but the REC fixtures over the next two years will be well worth catching, one of the big broadcasters here should step in. And when the world returns to normal a rugby weekend in say Lisbon or Madrid might not be the worst prospect for the rugby tourist.