In the penultimate game of the Rugby Europe Conference season, Luxembourg faced their most difficult task to date, against Hungary away in Budapest. Previous wins against Bosnia and Austria have put the team in good stead and within sights of promotion, but first a difficult task against fiery opponents in front of a vocal home crowd.

The game started off with Luxembourg finding themselves confronted with an early uphill battle conceding in the opening 5 minutes to some Hungarian pressure. What followed can only be described as panic, as the team became their own opponents with the first 20 minutes being plagued with mistakes, resulting in a further Hungarian try. Now 12-0 behind, coach Benedetti called on one of his experienced heads from the bench in Liam Carroll, whose omission from the starting 15 was questionable.

As Fintan Lawlor was moved to scrum half, Hugo Bertani slotted in at fly half and Carroll filled in nicely in the centers, Luxembourg seemed to be a different team. A lot more structure in their play resulted in them being able to stretch the Hungarian defense countless times thus looking more likely to score in the remaining 20 minutes of the first-half.

The endless pressure was capped with some champagne rugby from the boys in white, as a scrum from within their own half was sent out wide and they unlocked the Hungarian defence. After some free flowing rugby, the only option for the Magyars was to give away a penalty in their own half. Where Yared Ketema had the presence of mind to take it quickly and once again spread the play in front of a scrambling defence. The offloads and sidesteps could have been mistaken for Fijian as Lawlor was eventually sent through to dot down near the posts, which he then converted.

Half-time 12-7, Luxembourg looking by far the better side.

The second-half started as the first ended with more Luxembourgish pressure. A Hungarian scrum was neatly stolen from the base of the scrum by Lawlor which saw Luxembourg on the front foot once again. Some good phase play by the forwards allowed the backs to capitalize, with Hungary giving away a further penalty which Lawlor calmly slotted. 13-12, Luxembourg take the lead. The Hungarians, seemingly disappointed with letting the lead slip, retaliated. Applying their own pressure which also ended in Luxembourg conceding a penalty that they took advantage of. With the score now at 15-12 to the home team, Luxembourg responded immediately by regathering their own kick-off and letting loose the impressive youngster John Fitzpatrick, who scored in the corner. 18-15 advantage Luxembourg.

The remaining 20 minutes displayed the pure resilience and passion that these boys have to play for their country. Surviving multiple Hungarian visits to their 22 also receiving a yellow card, however they did not back down to the physical challenge at hand. Epitomized by Carroll’s turnover on their own try line for the last action of the game.

After the game captain Christian Olsen said: “We started as Luxembourg always starts on the back foot and a bit hesitant to engage. But we showed heart to not dip the head and let the score discourage us. Scoring in the last action of the first half helped shift the momentum. And the rest of the game was one with discipline. Despite mistakes we didn't concede too many in our own half and capitalised on opposition mistakes in theirs. Our defense in the last 15 was just pride on the line and wanting it more.”

A performance that they should be proud of, coming from 12-0 behind away from home, displaying what talent lies in the Grand-Duchy and that they should not be underestimated. Come and watch the boys in action at the Stade de Luxembourg on the 20th of April as they take on Slovenia, a great day out for all the family!