Following victories over Norway, Estonia, Finland, and Latvia, Luxembourg topped the Rugby Europe Conference Pool A with three bonus points, accumulating to 15 points in total – scoring 203 points and only conceding 23 in the process. The Red Lions' chances fared well, but following the conclusion of the Conference pools, Rugby Europe established Malta as having a better ranking points ratio than Luxembourg.
The rules state, because of the different number of teams and matches across Conference pools, qualification is decided by a ranking points ratio per match played between the pool winners.
The Maltese side achieved bonus point victories in all three of their games, thus averaging five points for their ranking points ratio, while Luxembourg narrowly missed out on a bonus point victory against Finland and only averaged 4.75 points over four games. Arguably, the system is somewhat questionable given Luxembourg's points per game ratio being much higher than that of Malta: Luxembourg averaged 50.75 points per game while Malta averaged 40.3. Moreover, Luxembourg also conceded fewer, 5.75 points, than Malta's 19 in three matches.
The Mediterranean island's team will now face Austria in Vienna to fight for promotion to the Rugby Europe Trophy. Luxembourg head coach, James Kent, was graceful in defeat: "To finish undefeated and win four matches from four is a testament to the character and commitment of this group. We are naturally disappointed not to continue into the play-off, but the players represented Luxembourg Rugby exceptionally well and earned the right to finish top of the pool through their performances on the field."
The team's focus will now shift to the sevens season in June, where both men's and women's teams will fly to Andorra for the Rugby Europe Conference 7s.
