Resurgent Spain is assured it is back on the path Rugby World Cup 2023 bid

Wins at three consecutive European Rugby Championships have revived Spain's hopes of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup for the first time since 1999, but Los Leones aren't taking it for granted as they organize for Russia in Sochi. Rugby Fans can buy France Rugby World Cup Tickets from our website.

Spain had a rough start to the 2021 Rugby European Championship, losing to Georgia at home and Romania and Portugal on the road.

Resurgent Spain is confident it is back on the way Rugby World Cup 2023 

Santiago Santos' squad is catching up as the top two countries in the combined standings of the 2021 and 2022 European Rugby Championships secure their places at the Rugby World Cup 2023.

However, Los Leones kicked off their journey with a 49-12 win over Russia in Madrid last November, followed by a back-to-back win over the Netherlands - all with extra points - ahead of this weekend's games to push them into third place bring.

A third place overall offers a path to qualifying for the RWC 2023 final, but Santos and his players are aiming for automatic qualification in France.

"We are confident and happy," the Spanish coach told World Rugby: we had a bad start to qualifying, I’m looking ahead to this weekend against Russia we lost three matches and now we have three wins to play again."

Spain hasn't lost to Russia since a 22-20 comeback in Sochi six years ago, but Santos imagines the RWC 2019 entrants to be a tougher plan under new coach Dick Muir.

Therefore, despite the upcoming matches against Romania, Portugal and Georgia, the Spanish national coach refused to go further than Saturday.

Santos added: "I think we have quality RWC because I have full confidence in this Spanish team. Of course, other teams have too, but the toughest game for me is the upcoming match against Russia in Russia. RWC 2023 Fans can buy Rugby World Cup 2023 Tickets from our website.

"I'm happy that we play against Romania at home in Madrid, overall the matches are tough, and Portugal against Portugal in Madrid.

Spain hasn't lost to Russia since a 22-20 comeback in Sochi six years ago

"I think that could be a key factor to win RWC 2023 playing at home against Romania and Portugal, so for that reason, the Russia game for me is probably the most difficult match we've ever played."

Become more disciplined

Centre-back Alvar Gimeno scored one of seven attempts in Spain's latest encounter with Russia, and he has also crossed the line in two wins over the Netherlands.

However, Gimeno spent 10 minutes in Madrid's Simbin neighbourhood last November, before being shown a red card in Amsterdam's 52-7 win over the Netherlands a month later.

The World Rugby U20 trophy graduate has since dedicated himself to his discipline, with former World Rugby 15 Seconds High-Performance Official Manager Alain Rolland being invited to a training camp in Spain to work with the team.

"My correction is getting better. I didn't give advantages against the Netherlands and I played well, with a good dribble, a good tackle and two turnovers. So it's okay, I'm very happy," said Gimeno.

“Me and all the teams we work with, Alain Rolland, have worked very hard.

Santos said: "We realized that this was an area for improvement and we had some problems with discipline last year, discipline is key if we want to qualify. We want to reduce the number of free throws it's a very important part of the game."

If Spain wins at Sochi on Saturday, they will be well-positioned to qualify for a second Rugby World Cup. Both Gimeno and Santos agree it would be a remarkable achievement to lead their countries across the border into next year's event in France.

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