Spain removed from the World Cup

Spain have been kicked out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup due to an ineligible player playing in two qualification games.

This is the second time this has happened after they were disqualified from the World Cup in Japan for the same offence.

The wait goes on for Los Leones who last appeared at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Romania will move into Pool B and Portugal will replace Romania in the final qualification tournament in November of this year.

Spain have 14 days to appeal.

A 10-point penalty applied to Spain in the European qualification tournament means Portugal are now also in a position to reach the World Cup.

While Romania advance automatically in place of Spain, Portugal can now secure their place through a final qualification tournament in November.

Romania last played at the World Cup in 2015, while Portugal’s only appearance at the tournament came in 2007.

Spain were given a £25,000 fine and will now also have to pay a £50,000 suspended fine from a previous eligibility breach made in qualifying for the 2019 World Cup.

The other sides in Pool B are Scotland, Ireland and South Africa, as well as an unconfirmed Asia-Pacific qualifier.