Meanwhile, at the top of the rankings....

Recently we’ve been preoccupied with early exploits of the Finnish National team and its rivals in the European Nations Cups. However this weekend gave us a long look at the nations at the other end of the IRB rankings with the start of both the Autumn Internationals and also the IRB Rugby World Series (for the tier 2 nations). Here are some links to the games – in case your missus dragged you to Ikea instead of the pub.

Autumn Internationals

England v Fiji:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imxOQ6D-KxQ

Wales v Argentina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aNgEH5lN68

Ireland v South Africa:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D99RCG79NyM&feature=relmfu

France v Australia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y73iy9SU6A&feature=related

Scotland v New Zealand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gqMX-TBam0&feature=relmfu

The IRB Rugby World Series

Italy v Tonga:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2n6g3t28N4

Russia v USA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXcd832yNZ4

Canada v Samoa:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPxjwDIQbmQ

Saturday also saw Finland’s group 2D rivals Luxembourg host group leaders Norway. In what must be called an unexpected outcome, Luxembourg snatched a 15-8 home victory to show that things can change in different venues. Match report here:
http://www.norgesrugby.no/results-feeds/844-luxembourg-norway-enc-201214-match-report

Luxembourg v Norway 10.11.2012

This weekend many of us will be glued to the start of the Autumn International matches, but tomorrow also sees two of Finland's ENC rivals go head to head.

Group leaders Norway, who have now risen above Monaco to 92nd in the IRB world rankings, travel to Luxembourg (the national currently ranked directly above Finland).  Luxembourg edged out Finland in Helsinki last month, fending off a late come-back to win 14-16.  Norway also opened their ENC account account against Finland, producing a dominant performance (including 5 tries) to run away with a 32-3 victory.  Norway then hosted Bosnia & Herzegovina, where they struggled against the physicality of the group's other newcomers, rallying late to snatch an 11-9 victory.

Norway have named a squad that sees four changes from the one that faced Finland (including both starting props), and four changes from the squad that faced Bosnia.  This will be Norway's first game of the season away from home, and with Luxembourg being Finland's closest rivals in the group, Finland's players and management should be taking a keen interest in this game.

We haven't seen any evidence of a live stream of the game, but we are hoping that Norges Rugby will continue their excellent work with producing a high quality video of the game.

Stay tuned!

Norway squad v Luxembourg:

Even Ellingsen - (Blindern RK)
Erlend Meldalen - (Blindern RK)
Christopher Byrne - (Bergen RK)
Andreas Fyri - (Oslo RK)
Ewan Adair - (Oslo RK)
Axel Wilhelsen - (Bergen RK)
Pascal Raclin - (Oslo RK)
Markus Sourlas - (Bergen RK)
Kim Robin Pettersen - (Horten RK)
Nick Sæby - (Stavanger RK)
Shelton Davis - (Tønsberg RK)
Andre Slaatta - (Bergen RK)
Anders Teigland - (Bergen RK)
Michal Urbanski - (Bergen RK)
Kristoffer Borsheim - (Stavanger RK)
Kristian Elgheim - (University of York)
Simmen Hammer Eriksen - (Horten RK)
Fredrik Skovly - (Oslo RK)
Simen Nystad - (Blindern RK)
Sondre Sundersen - (Revheim RK)
Thierry Davy - (Blindern RK)
Francis Hunt - (Oslo RK)
Alex Deisner - (Stavanger RK)