Czechia
Player to watch: Samuel Dupuy (centre) and Adam Miracky (winger)
Head coach: David Courteix
Last season’s ranking: 2nd
Czechia are on the rise, and after coming close to clinching promotion to the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship for the first time in decades, they’ll look to take the next step in this new season of the Men’s Rugby Europe Trophy.
Under David Courteix’s cunning guidance, Czechia has developed an agile, physical forward pack that can play with the ball and combine brilliantly with a menacing, speed-induced backline ready to pounce.
With the Bohemia Rugby Warriors as the backbone of the Czech national team, they are undoubtedly one of the main title contenders.
Sweden
Player to watch: Ale Loman (prop) and Lukas Edström (flanker)
Head coach: Alex Laybourne
Last season’s ranking: 3rd
Sweden came close to doing something remarkable, pushing Czechia and Poland hard over the last two seasons in what has been a slow but very promising climb up the ladder. Prop Ale Loman, who won’t be available for the opening game of the campaign, and Lukas Edström are two of Sweden’s biggest threats, leading a squad with some of the Trophy’s most special talent and promise.
After two years adapting to the demands of the Men’s Rugby Europe Trophy, the Swedish national team, led by Alex Laybourne, enters a new season that will be more than a stepping stone to success; it will be a climb toward something greater, including a title challenge.
Germany
Player to watch: Nikolai Klewinghaus-Hacker (utility back) and Hassan Rayan (lock)
Head coach: Michael Poppmeier
Last season’s ranking: 8th in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship
A new dawn for Germany: after a few years in the Men’s Rugby Europe Championship, they’ll compete in the Trophy, aiming to return to the top and make the most of their newest generation, determined to put their nation back in its rightful place.
This new era for the Schwarze Adler will be under the tutelage of Michael Poppmeier, one of German rugby’s greatest legends, who will seek to develop a style of play that suits a squad brimming with talent, ability, and the potential to achieve something more.
With fans expecting the likes of Nikolai Klewinghaus-Hacker to set off fireworks, Germany can do the extraordinary, as shown by last season’s win over Romania. At the same time, it will be key for them to have their powerful enforcers ready to control the board, with players like Hassan Rayan in that role.
While Czechia and Sweden are contenders, Germany is unquestionably the Men’s Rugby Europe Trophy top dog, looking to assert its dominance and class.