Luxembourg struggle against clinical Czechs in tough away defeat

Luxembourg’s national rugby team were faced with a tough challenge against the Czech Republic, succumbing to a 40-16 defeat in a match where discipline and set-piece struggles proved decisive. Despite opportunities, the Red Lions were unable to leverage a second-half red card to their advantage.

Despite numerous absentees to the squad. The fixture marked the first start for RCL captain Peter Barton, with Chobe Sweetnam and Stuart Logier making their returns from long-lasting knee injuries.

The opening minutes were dominated by the hosts, who capitalised on early pressure to maul over for a try within eight minutes, following an attacking lineout.

Luxembourg’s issues were compounded by penalties, leading to a yellow card for Tony Drennan in the 17th minute. The Czech side nearly extended their lead but were held up by resilient Luxembourg defence, allowing the visitors to clear their lines.

Even with 14 men, a moment of brilliance from Fintan Lawlor, where he acrobatically kept the ball in play from a penalty seemed to be the catalyst for a promising spell for the Red Lions, though they couldn’t breach the Czech defence for a try.

The situation worsened as Thibault Tommassetto left the field due to injury, weakening an already struggling scrum. The Czechs extended their lead to 10-0 with a long-range penalty.

Subsequently, a high tackle by a Czech flanker resulted in a yellow card, offering Luxembourg a chance.

They seized it with some good phase play. Drennan – back on the pitch – found himself in the fly-half role, and identified space out wide, floating a precise pass to Matthew Dennis, who scored in the corner. Lawlor’s conversion narrowed the gap to 10-7.

However, further indiscipline saw Luxembourg’s winger sin-binned for a ruck infringement. The Czechs exploited this, dominating the scrum and allowing their fly-half to slice through the defense, extending the lead to 17-7. They nearly added another try immediately, but a handling error over the line kept the halftime score at 17-7.

Red card swings momentum – briefly

Just seconds into the second half, Luxembourg were handed a golden opportunity as the Czech hooker received a red card for a reckless aerial challenge on Kai Sweetnam.

With a full half to play against 14 men, the Red Lions clawed back three points through a composed Lawlor penalty. But their progress was immediately undone as the Czechs restored their 10-point cushion with a penalty of their own.

Despite some bright moments from Luxembourg’s attack, the Czechs continued to impose their physicality, forcing another penalty which they slotted to extend their lead.

Lawlor responded immediately with another penalty, keeping Luxembourg within reach at 23-13.

Czechs pull away late

Any hopes of a Luxembourg comeback were dashed when the silky Czech fly-half unlocked the defence with a sharp pass to his winger, who danced past three defenders to score under the posts. The conversion pushed the lead to 30-13.

The Red Lions hit back following some good link-up play this time Dennis-Soto returning the favour and putting Drennan through a hole in the midfield, ultimately winning a penalty in front of the posts. Which was duly slotted to bring the deficit back to 30-16.

They were given further hope when the Czechs received yet another yellow card, leaving them with just 13 men with only 14 minutes remaining.

However, the hosts once again showed their quality despite the numerical disadvantage. Following a scrum in their own half, they broke down the blindside and made it to Luxembourg’s 5m. Then spreading the ball out wise and the Czech winger combining nicely with his outside centre to score in the corner. A successful conversion extended their lead to 37-16.

A final Czech penalty in the dying moments sealed a commanding 40-16 victory.

Tougher tests ahead

Luxembourg will be frustrated that they weren’t able to capitalise on their second-half numerical advantage, while set-piece struggles and discipline issues proved decisive in the first half, it drastically improved in the second. There are definitely positives that can be taken from the game. However, with tougher fixtures against Poland and Sweden looming at the Stade de Luxembourg, the Red Lions will need a sharper performance to turn things around.

They currently sit bottom of the table, having lost two and drawn one.