Portugal's strangely scattergun selection policy

Portugal are the only side other than Georgia and Romania to have topped the ENC, but over the past 4 years have languished nearer the basement of the top division. As the older 2007 RWC generation of players has faded out, here's a look at the seemingly random and bizarre selection policy they have taken in their rebuild.

Georgia 2014 ENC Grand Slam winners

This weekend Georgia completed won their 9th ENC title and 4th Grand Slam with a 22-9 win over Romania in front of their home crowd at the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium. Here is a look at the successful team of 2014.

The stats say on the ENC 1A 2014 season

A look at what the stats say about the current state of each team following the conclusion of the 2014 ENC 1A tournament.

Roundup: ENC 1A March 15

A roundup on the final round of ENC fixtures for 2014, including the big Grand Slam decider between Georgia and Romania in Tbilisi.

Team News: ENC 1A March 15

Team news for the final round of ENC 1A matches including the crucial Grand Slam title deciding match between Georgia and Romania.

Did Vlaicu choke vs Georgia in 2013?

How costly will Romania's missed chances in last year’s drawn ENC decider against Georgia in Bucharest end up being? Here is a look at the moments of the match that cost the Oaks last year’s ENC and may also cost them the easier pool draw at next year's World Cup in England.

The Portuguese errors that handed Russia the advantage

Although the 34-18 scoreline indicates otherwise, Portugal were in a very even contest with Russia but lost it through some errors in their own 22 that put themselves under pressure.

Was there an eye gouging incident in Sochi last weekend?

Was there an eye gouging incident involving the Russian prop Grigory Tsnobiladze and Portuguese flanker Julien Bardy as frustrations grew and tempers flared during the ENC clash last weekend in Sochi?

The Kvirikashvili clangers continue

Can Milton Haig really keep picking Kvirikashvili at full back for Georgia? The question was asked last week and most fans backed him, but after yet another game against Spain where his errors were exposed and proved costly, surely it is now only Romanians who would want him wearing the 15 jersey next week.

Roundup: ENC 1A March 8

A round up on the latest round of fixtures in the ENC. Romania and Georgia both won again to set up their Grand Slam deciding clash whilst Russia confirmed a third place finish.

Team News: ENC 1A March 8

Team news ahead of the fourth round of ENC 1A matches for 2014 and 9th round of Rugby World Cup qualification.

Spain’s continually indecisive selection policy

The Spanish selection policies over the past few years have seen a far larger turnover of players compared to other nations in Europe. Why can’t they make up their mind on selection?

The last team to win an ENC match against Georgia

Since the 2007 World Cup, Georgia have lost just two ENC matches out of 34. Here is a lookback at the most recent upset against a multi national Spain side in February 2012 in Madrid.

Nigel Melville to lobby for more North American internationals

USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville looks set to lobby this week for more test matches for the North Americans to match the other sides in the world over the 2015-19 period.

Georgia and Romania coast undefeated to World Cup qualification

Both Georgia and Romania officially secured their qualification for next year’s Rugby World Cup in England this weekend with easy bonus point wins over Russia and Spain, but the poor challenge from the other ENC nations this year has been notable and the trend is becoming a cause for concern.

Briefing: 6 Nations promotion and relegation

Following the recent media and fan discussion, here is a briefing on the chances of a promotion and relegation system being added to the leading international tournament in the Northern Hemisphere the 6 Nations.

What is Kingsley Jones doing?

The curious case of Russia’s Head Coach Kingsley Jones, who appears to be more committed to TV punditry roles on Scrum V than he does coaching his national side.

The farcical state of Russian rugby

If there was ever a match that pretty much summed up the complete farce that has been Russian rugby in recent times, it was last weekend's important Rugby World Cup qualifier with Romania, played in a random field in the little known village of Nebug.