Romania are on the verge of qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2027. The Stejarii were convincing winners over Belgium on Saturday. The 31-14 road victory followed a 48-10 win over Germany in the opening round. The results place Romania top of Pool B on 9 points ahead of Sunday’s match between Portugal and Germany.
Romania is one of the most important countries in the history of the sport of rugby. Romania won Bronze Medal at the 1924 Olympic Games and featured in all but one of the Rugby World Cups from 1987-2023. Rugby World Cup 2027, which will be the 10th for the Stejarii, is now inches away.
The win over Belgium was far from easy. The halftime scoreline was 10-7 in favor of the Eastern Europeans. Romania’s 31-14 win came with a critical runaway interception try.
Romania have not officially qualified, though, their place can be more than pencilled in. The results does not eliminate Belgium but Portugal’s probable win over Germany on Sunday will mean Romania can be written down as the fourteen team confirmed for Australia 2027. The Stejarii follow Georgia which, combined, represents two of Europe’s four allocated spots. The two countries join automatic qualifiers Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, England, Argentina, Wales, Ireland, France, Fiji, Scotland, Italy and Japan.
Rugby World Cup 2027 will contain twenty-four teams. Qualification in the Americas began in 2024. Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay will contest the South American finals in 2025 while Canada and the USA will compete in the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) which doubles as Australia 2027 Qualifying.
BELGIUM 
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ROMANIA – MATCH HIGHLIGHTS