Rugby Europe Championship Finals: A look at the numbers

The 2025 Men’s Rugby Europe Championship heads into it's final weekend, but we still have some time to digest a bit of data, stats and numbers about how some of the teams faired. From Georgia’s lineout perfection to Spain’s physical dominance, which could be a key areas as the two meet in the final. 

Crossed Gainline: 105

Spain will be in their first Men’s Rugby Europe Championship final after producing a sensational performance in Lisbon, defeating their old-time rivals in a 42-31 point-scored difference. The Leones were far superior in what concerned the physicality contest, winning the gainline 105 times, two times more than the Lobos.

But what makes this data even more outstanding is the fact that Spain carried the oval ball into contact 166 times, meaning a 60% gainline wins per carry. Be it through Raphaël Nieto, Mario Pichardie, Gauthier Minguillon, Federico Casteglioni and Matthew Foulds, Spain was ruthless, powerful and effective in their strategy to win the arm-wrestle with Portugal, showing a far better attitude when compared to their game against Georgia.

They wrapped up their visit to the Jamor Stadium with 940 metres carried, making Portugal concede space and penalties that opened the way towards a sensational victory. 

Lineout throws: 100%

Georgia vs Romania is always expected to be a tense affair, but the Lelos proved once again how lethal they are, raising to every occasion with the same positive aggression and efficiency.

Even if the majority of the five-pointers dotted down came from backline units, it was all only made possible thanks to the work-rate put up by the forward pack, starting with the lineout.

The locals concluded the game with a 100% own lineout thrown-in accuracy, successfully winning all of their 12 throws while stealing four Romanian lineouts. With a steady platform to launch their ravenous attack, the 16-time Rugby Europe Championship champions quickly built a comfortable score-line to allow them to qualify for another final.

We tend to applaud the amazing skills of Niniashvili, Matkava and Tabutsadze, but it is vital to give the extend the same compliments to the likes of Nika Abuladze, Beka Saginadze, Irakli Aptsiauri, Vano Karkadze and other members of the pack. 

Metres made: 780

It isn’t a lie to say that Belgium has become one of the most menacing sides in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship, especially when they are carrying the egg-shaped ball. Against Switzerland, Laurent Dossat’s men didn’t leave any doubt about who was the dominant side, quickly taking control of the ball, possession, and territory.

Yes, not every carry or running line was well made, but just looking to the 780 metres made by the Belgian setup tells us half of the game’s story.

Their speed and pace when changing the ball between players was impressive, opening enough gaps to allow star powered players like Simeon Soenen, Thomas de Molder and Hugo de Francq to escape through.

Not every carry needs to lead to a gainline win; it only has to be precise enough to set the tune for what comes next, and that’s what Belgium did in the repechage semifinal.  

Tackles made: 114

The biggest talking point of Netherlands' 38-09 win over Germany was their performance as an attacking unit, but there was a particular stat that deserves a bit of attention: tackles made/accuracy.

The Oranje attempted to tackle 118 times, which means they only missed the target on four occasions, translating to a 96% tackle accuracy. For the large part of the first half, Germany was in control but failed to overcome a stunning Dutch brick wall, stopping the visitors from getting into the in-goal area.

Koen Bloemen, Joris Smits, Christopher Raymond and Bilaal Egberts put up some of the best tackles of the tournament, helping their side to overcome a brave German effort.

A valiant attack can gift your team points, but an ironclad defence can earn your country wins.