Luxembourg’s Rugby Europe Trophy season came to a close on Saturday with a 10-33 loss to a powerful Polish team. Despite an impressive first-half performance, they could not withstand a second-half surge.
The result means Luxembourg will drop back down to the Rugby Europe Conference, but their performances across the five matches have shown that the team has the potential to compete at Trophy level. This was displayed throughout the first half, where the team showed tremendous determination in defence and a level of precision in their attack that put the Polish defence under real pressure.
Luxembourg set the tone for the early stages with a deep kick that landed in the hands of the powerful Polish number 8 – but his opposite number, Tony Drennan, was on him immediately, giving him no space and stopping him in his tracks. Some sharp phase play and precise kicking soon earned Luxembourg a line-out just five metres from the Polish line. A cleverly executed short throw saw Gael Pujadas break through and score a try within the first three minutes of the game. Unfortunately, the conversion agonisingly hit the post, and Luxembourg registered only five points, instead of seven, with poor kicking setting a theme for the rest of the match.
After the restart, Luxembourg continued in the same vein, with the defence standing firm whenever Poland had possession – doubling up and being effective in tackles to halt the progress of the large Polish forwards. Effort was again rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts from 35m; however, kicking between the sticks was not Luxembourg's strong point on the day – another three points wasted.
Luxembourg were winning the territory battle through clever use of kicking and were awarded yet another penalty, with the Polish number 10 shown a yellow card for a high tackle. The kick, from a tighter angle this time, was once again off target.
Putting the disappointment of missed kicks aside, Luxembourg again displayed some champagne rugby scoring an excellent team try, finished off by captain Christian Olsen. From a line-out in their own half, the ball was quickly distributed, with forwards and backs linking up. As space opened up on the outside, Gauthier Bares executed a clever pass to Olsen cutting in from the wing, who passed a defender to score. It was a prime example of the high-quality rugby James Kent's men are capable of. Luxembourg led 10-0, but with the conversion missed, the team would rue the ten points that were within their grasp.
A theme throughout the entire campaign has been ill discipline and this game was no exception, after the second try Luxembourg conceded too many penalties which allowed the Polish back into the game. From a penalty they shortened the deficit to 10-3.
Luxembourg, maintained their attacking intent despite the set-back and a kick from Olsen in his own 22 bounced favourably to the onrushing Edward Graybook, who pounced on the ball. He fended off one defender and passed it back to Olsen, who was in support. Chobe Sweetnam then joined the action, making a strong run that brought Luxembourg inches from the try-line. However, a great defensive effort from the Polish winger saw him jackal the ball, earning a crucial penalty for his efforts.
Once again, penalties allowed the Polish to gain territory and they were ultimately rewarded with one in front of the posts. They opted to kick, shortening the lead to just four points. A tremendous first-half performance by the Luxembourg team was not reflected on the scoreboard, which should have made for much better reading for the Red Lions. 10-6 Luxembourg.
A tale of two halves
The Polish coach must have had some stern words in the dressing room, as his team came out with a fresh impetus in the second-half – speed and good link up play between backs and forwards saw them dominate early possession that eventually led to their first try of the game, taking the lead 10-13.
After an early push from the Poles, Luxembourg started to regain composure, but two penalties taken by the Polish number 12 extended their lead to 10-19. Adding to Luxembourg’s struggles, Matthew Dennis-Soto was given a yellow card for a string of penalties against the team – weakening the scrum.
The Polish used their advantage in the scrum as a platform to push forward on numerous occasions, eventually earning a line-out on the Luxembourg five metre line. They managed to maul the ball over the line again, bringing the score to 10-24. The Polish kicker sealed the deal with a conversion from out wide, making it 10-26.
A scrappy end to the game saw the Polish extend their lead further. After numerous scrums, the Polish scrum-half popped an inside ball to the full-back, who ran a good line to score from close range. The final score 10-33.
Luxembourg proved once again to be their own worst enemy, conceding too many penalties and allowing the Polish side back into the game. Despite this, the season has laid the foundation for an exciting future for the national side. They have enormous potential and a young squad who deserve to be playing at this level.
