View source for Germany national rugby union team

{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Germany women's national rugby union team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{short description|Team representing Germany in men's international rugby competitions}}
{{Infobox national rugby team
| Name                  = Germany
| Nickname              = ''Schwarze Adler'' (Black Eagles)
| Badge                 = Deutscher Rugby-Verband.png
| Badge_size            = 250px
| Emblem                = [[Coat of arms of Germany|Bundesadler]] (Federal Eagle)
| Union                 = [[Deutscher Rugby-Verband]]
| Confederation         = [[Rugby Europe]]
| Coach                 = [[Mark Kuhlmann]]
| Captain               = Jörn Schröder 
| Most caps             = [[Alexander Widiker]] (59)
| Top scorer            = [[Raynor Parkinson]] (323)
| Top try scorer        = Jaco Otto (23)
| Home Stadium          =
| pattern_la1           = 
| pattern_b1            = _2018_rugby_germany_h
| pattern_ra1           =
| leftarm1              = 222222
| body1                 = 222222
| rightarm1             = 222222
| shorts1               = 222222
| socks1                = 222222
| pattern_la2           = 
| pattern_b2            = _2018_rugby_germany_a
| pattern_ra2           =
| leftarm2              = ffffff
| body2                 = ffffff
| rightarm2             = ffffff
| shorts2               = ffffff
| socks2                = ffffff
| World Rugby Rank      = 32
| World Rugby Rank date = 20 March 2023
| World Rugby max       = 22
| World Rugby max year  = 2017
| World Rugby min       = 37
| World Rugby min year  = 2011
| First game            = {{ru|FRA}} 30−5 '''Germany''' {{flagdeco|GER}}<br />(17 April 1927)
| Largest win           = {{nowrap|{{flagdeco|Germany}} '''Germany''' 108−0 [[Serbia national rugby union team|Serbia and Montenegro]] {{flagdeco|Serbia and Montenegro}}<br />(12 November 2005)}}
| Largest loss          = {{Ru|Russia}} 89−6 '''Germany''' {{flagdeco|Germany}}<br />(16 April 2000)
| World cup apps        = 0
| World cup first       = 
| World cup best        = 
| medaltemplates        = 
| website               = [http://www.rugby-verband.de/ www.rugby-verband.de]
}}

[[File:Germany_vs_Belgium_rugby_match.jpg|thumb|200px|Germany playing [[Belgium national rugby union team|Belgium]] in qualifiers for the 2007 Rugby World Cup]]

The '''Germany national rugby union team''' ({{langx|de|Deutsche Rugby-Union-Nationalmannschaft}}) represents [[Germany]] in men's international competitions.  It currently plays at the second level of European rugby but is yet to qualify for the [[Rugby World Cup]]. The national team first played in 1927, with [[rugby union in Germany]] being administered by the [[German Rugby Federation]] (''Deutscher Rugby-Verband'').

Germany competes in the Trophy Division, the second tier of the Rugby Europe International Championships, the senior men's rugby tournament for European nations below the [[Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]].<ref name=Finsterer>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/deutschland_steigt_ab_finsterer_tritt_zurueck/ Deutschland steigt ab / Finsterer tritt zurück]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 20 March 2010. Retrieved: 20 March 2010</ref>

Germany's greatest achievement in men's rugby is arguably the silver medal won at the [[Rugby union at the 1900 Summer Olympics|1900 Olympic Games]].

Germany's declared aim was originally to qualify for the [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] in England,<ref>[http://www.worldcupweb.com/rugby/news/viewarticle.asp?id=12197 Germany launch quest to reach 2015 World cup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407031143/http://www.worldcupweb.com/rugby/news/viewarticle.asp?id=12197 |date=7 April 2012 }} worldcupweb.com, published: 15 April 2008. Retrieved: 27 December 2008</ref> but then lowered this ambition to the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]] in Japan,<ref name=Reform >[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/2158/38/ Der DRV-Arbeitsplan "Rugby auf dem Weg nach Olympia 2016"] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, author: [[Claus-Peter Bach]], published: 19 October 2009. Retrieved: 27 March 2010</ref> for which it also failed to qualify. The national side is ranked 30th in the world (as of 26 April 2021).

==History==

===Beginnings===
[[File:German Rugby Eagle.png|thumb|left|450px|German rugby [[Crest (heraldry)|crest]]]]
The German rugby union team's history began on 17 April 1927, when they played [[France national rugby union team|France]] in Paris, losing 5–30. The team established itself in their early years as number two in continental Europe, behind the French. They played 14 tests against their neighbour before the [[Second World War]], winning two of them. As an indication of the team's strength, they did not lose to any team but France until 1937, when [[Italy national rugby union team|Italy]] beat them 9–7. Because Germany never played any of the [[Home nations]], it is difficult to judge the true strength of the team from that era.

With the outbreak of the war in 1939, rugby came to a halt and Germany only played one more game, against Italy, in 1940. Germany lost almost a complete first XV in the war, and thus came out of it as a much weaker side, never able to repeat its pre-war successes.<ref>[http://www.rugby-verband.de/cms/index.php?id=73 Rugby zwischen den beiden Weltkriegen] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928043657/http://www.rugby-verband.de/cms/index.php?id=73 |date=28 September 2007 }} {{in lang|de}} DRV website – History between the wars. Retrieved: 26 December 2008</ref>

===Post-Second World War===
After an absence of 12 years, Germany, now considerably reduced in size and under the name of [[West Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]], played its first post-war international in 1952, beating [[Belgium national rugby union team|Belgium]] 16–9. At the same time, in the Eastern part of the country, the [[German Democratic Republic]], the [[German Democratic Republic national rugby union team]] was formed. The ''DRV'' continued to offer the East German ''DTSB'' to play a rugby friendly, but this was always declined by the East.<ref name=Chronik>[http://www.postsv-rugby.de/ Post SV Berlin Rugby – Archiv] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220042655/http://www.postsv-rugby.de/ |date=20 February 2012 }} {{in lang|de}} Chronik 30 Jahre – History of Post SV Berlin Rugby. Retrieved: 11 April 2010</ref>

Until 1965, Germany played friendlies only as there was no European rugby competition it could take part in.

The team also made an appearance at England's home ground, [[Twickenham Stadium]], in 1956, losing 8–26 to [[Harlequin F.C.]] on 8 September of that year.<ref>[http://www.scrum.com/scrum/rugby/page/78376.html Take a trip down memory lane courtesy of our historian John Griffiths] scrum.com. Retrieved: 27 December 2008</ref>

From 1965, it became part of the second tier of [[FIRA - Association of European Rugby|FIRA]] rugby, effectively the third tier of European rugby, the [[Six Nations Championship|Five nations tournament]] being outside the FIRA structure. In 1975, it played its first international against a non-European nation, beating [[Morocco national rugby union team|Morocco]] in [[Hannover]].

The team's greatest success in the second half of the 20th century was promotion to the A group of FIRA rugby in 1981. From 1981 to 1983, Germany played ten games at this level, but won just one and were relegated back to the B level. After this, the team dropped briefly to the C level in 1985 but promptly returned to the second tier.

===German reunification===
With the [[German reunification]], in 1991, the German Democratic Republic national rugby union team was dissolved and became part of the Federal Republic's team. In 1994, [[Horst Kemmling]], Germany's long-standing captain, ended his international career, having played a record number of 50 games for Germany from 1976 onwards.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/1815/169/ 100 Jahre Endspiel der deutschen Rugby-Meisterschaft: Stuttgart – Hannover] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 9 August 2009. Retrieved: 9 March 2010</ref>

With the reorganisation of the [[European Nations Cup (rugby union)|European Nations Cup]] (ENC) in 2000, Germany became part of the second division.

===Centenary and Barbarians tour===
In 2000 the [[German Rugby Federation]] celebrated its centenary. Centenary celebrations included a banquet in the [[Heidelberg Castle]] and the hosting of the European leg of the [[Rugby World Cup Sevens]] in [[Heidelberg]], in which the [[Germany national rugby sevens team|German team]] came close to upsetting [[Ireland national rugby sevens team|Ireland]], who had [[Gordon D'Arcy]] in their line-up. The tournament was won by the [[Wales national rugby sevens team|Welsh team]], which featured [[Andy Marinos]] and [[Arwel Thomas]].

The highlight of the Centenary season was the Centenary Match against the famous [[Barbarian FC|Barbarians]]. The Barbarians included a host of internationals including [[Scott Hastings (rugby union)|Scott Hastings]], [[Peter Stringer]], [[Shaun Longstaff]], [[Jeff Probyn]], [[Frankie Sheahan]], [[Russell Earnshaw]], [[Shaun Connor]], [[John Langford (rugby)|John Langford]] and [[Derwyn Jones]] and won 47-19 against a determined German team.

{{main|Germany at the 2006–08 European Nations Cup}}
Germany remained in the second division of the European Nations Cup until 2008, when it achieved promotion to the top level, facing Europe's number 7 to 11 teams in 2009 and 2010. Its declared aim at this level was to avoid relegation; qualification for the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] was not really expected from the team.<ref>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/finsterer_werden_andere_deutsche_mannschaft_sehen/ Finsterer: "Werden andere deutsche Mannschaft sehen"]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}} Rugby Journal – Preview for the 2009–10 season. Retrieved: 9 January 2009</ref>

With over 8,000 spectators, Germany's home game against the Netherlands in [[Hanover]], at the [[Rudolf-Kalweit-Stadion]] in April 2007, achieved the best crowd figures for a rugby match in Germany since the pre-Second World War days.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/component/option,com_joomleague/func,showReport/p,57/mid,15530/Itemid,356/ Germany – Netherlands report] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de. Retrieved: 28 March 2010</ref>

Germany was unbeaten at home from 12 November 2000, when it lost to Ukraine, until 8 November 2008, when it lost to a Welsh selection.<ref>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/deutschland_vor_rueckkehr_in_division_1/ Deutschland vor Rückkehr in Division 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626025617/http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/deutschland_vor_rueckkehr_in_division_1/ |date=26 June 2008 }} {{in lang|de}} Rugby Journal – Match report. Retrieved: 7 January 2009</ref>

===ENC 2008–10===
{{main|Germany at the 2008–10 European Nations Cup}}
In March 2009, coach [[Mark Kuhlmann]] stepped down after three and a half years in office, while the other two coaches [[Rudolf Finsterer]] and [[Bruno Stolorz]], remained in the job. Stolorz was seconded to the German team by the [[French Rugby Federation|Fédération française de rugby]] to improve Germany's performance in the sport.<ref>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/mark_kuhlmann_nicht_mehr_drv-nationaltrainer/ Mark Kuhlmann nicht mehr DRV-Nationaltrainer]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}} ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 9 March 2009. Retrieved: 25 February 2010</ref>

After five losses in the European Nations Cup in 2009, Germany achieved a win in a friendly against [[Hong Kong national rugby union team|Hong Kong]] late in the year. Germany also managed a 15–12 victory over [[Switzerland national rugby union team|Switzerland]] but, as the German team had only one regular player in its side, captain [[Kehoma Brenner]], the team was referred to as ''Germany A''.<ref>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/nationalteams_holten_den_alpencup_zurueck/ Nationalteams holten den Alpencup zurück]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}}, ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 27 September 2009. Retrieved: 21 February 2010</ref> [[Mustafa Güngör]] became Germany's new captain on 8 December 2009, after the retirement of the previous captain [[Jens Schmidt]], and played his first game in this role four days later, against Hong Kong.<ref>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/neues_vor_dem_laenderspiel_guengoer_neuer_kapitaen_der_national-xv/ Güngör neuer Kapitän der National-XV]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}} ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 8 December 2009. Retrieved: 21 February 2010</ref> Germany fielded eight uncapped players in this game.<ref>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/deutschland_besiegt_hong_kong_mit_2424_160/ Deutschland besiegt Hongkong mit 24:14 (16:0)]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}} ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 12 December 2009. Retrieved: 21 February 2010</ref> A planned game against the British Forces in Germany in January 2010 had to be called off twice because of bad weather.

Despite disappointing results on the field and the distinct possibility of Germany being relegated, the sport made some progress in the country in 2009–10. With the admittance of sevens rugby to the Olympic Games, rugby in Germany is now eligible for federal grants. Additionally, the ''[[Bundeswehr]]'', the German army, has agreed to admit eight to ten players per year to its sports program, making those players effectively professionals.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/2559/37/ DRV XV: Bundeswehr löst die großen Rugby-Probleme] {{in lang|de}} Interview with Claus-Peter Bach, totalrugby.de, published: 26 February 2010. Retrieved: 26 February 2010</ref>

In October 2009, the ''DRV'' decided to set its aim at playing two friendlies every year in November at home and two in January abroad. It also plans to organise a 10-day tour in Europe every year from 2013.<ref name="German champagne on ice">[http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/features/newsid=2023539.html German champagne on ice] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530000903/http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/features/newsid%3D2023539.html |date=30 May 2008 }} IRB website – Report after the Netherlands game (2008). Retrieved: 10 January 2009</ref>

After disappointing results against Georgia, Portugal and Romania in spring 2010, the team's performance improved against Russia. In its final ENC game against Spain, where a victory by eleven points was needed, Germany played their best game in the campaign yet but nevertheless lost and was relegated. As a consequence, coach Rudolf Finsterer resigned after ten years of service.<ref name="Finsterer"/> He was replaced by [[Torsten Schippe]] in July 2010,<ref>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/torsten_schippe_wird_trainer_des_15er-nationalteams/ Torsten Schippe wird Trainer des 15er-Nationalteams]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}} ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 11 July 2010. Retrieved: 26 July 2010</ref> with South African Jakobus Potgieter as Schippes assistant.<ref>[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/kobus_potgieter_neuer_co-trainer_der_nationalmannschaft/ Kobus Potgieter neuer Co-Trainer der Nationalmannschaft]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}} ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 16 July 2010. Retrieved: 26 July 2010</ref>

===ENC 2010–12===
{{main|Germany at the 2010–12 European Nations Cup}}
Germany suffered a defeat in its opening game of the [[2010–2012 European Nations Cup First Division|2010–2012 European Nations Cup First Division B]], losing to Poland 17–22 after leading 17–9 at half time. The defeat was seen as unnecessary by the President of the German Rugby Federation, [[Claus-Peter Bach]], but he also considered Poland's victory as deserved. Germany went into the match with a new coach and assistant, a new captain, [[Alexander Widiker]] and five uncapped players.<ref name="Polen">[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/auftaktniederlage_fuer_deutsches_nationalteam/ DRV XV: Unnötige Auftaktniederlage gegen Polen]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}} ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 21 November 2010. Retrieved: 21 November 2010</ref>

Germany finally achieved its first win in the ENC since 26 April 2008, when it beat the Netherlands in Amsterdam on 27 November 2010. Its last victory in the European competition had come at the same place against the same opposition, just over 31-month earlier.<ref name="Niederlande">[http://www.rugby-journal.de/index.php/basis/meldung/drv_xv_verdienter_sieg_in_amsterdam/ DRV XV: Verdienter Sieg in Amsterdam]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} {{in lang|de}} ''[[Rugby-Journal]]'', published: 28 November 2010. Retrieved: 28 November 2010</ref>

After a disappointing first half of the campaign, where Germany only won one of its five games, the team improved and won three in the second half, consequently finishing fourth overall out of six teams. With the final game against Moldova, Germany's captain Alexander Widiker played his 50th game for his country, thereby equaling [[Horst Kemmling]]'s record.<ref>[http://www.rugby-verband.de/?data&#91;pageid&#93;=12&data&#91;newsid&#93;=zi6d8r Rekord für Snakko] {{in lang|de}} ''[[German Rugby Federation|DRV]]'' website. Retrieved: 7 April 2012</ref>

===ENC 2012–14===
Germany again competed in the European Nations Cup First Division B in [[2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division|2012–2014]], once more facing Poland, Moldova and the Czech Republic. Additionally, it also competed against Ukraine, relegated from the A group, and Sweden, promoted from the Second Division. Germany's first match was on 27 October when it played Ukraine at home.<ref>[http://www.rugby-verband.de/?data&#91;pageid&#93;=12&data&#91;newsid&#93;=drd96m Ausschreibung ENC] {{in lang|de}} ''[[German Rugby Federation|DRV]]'' website. Retrieved: 22 July 2012</ref> Before that the team played an unofficial warm up match against the New Zealand Ambassador's XV on 13 October 2012, a team that featured former All Black [[Keith Lowen]] in its ranks,<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/5608/37/ New Zealand Ambassador's mit ehemaligem All Black gegen Deutschland] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 26 September 2012. Retrieved: 1 October 2012</ref> and ended in a 22–20 victory for Germany.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/5658/37/ Deutsche Rugby-Herren besiegen Neuseeland-Auswahl] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 13 October 2012, Retrieved: 17 October 2012</ref>

Germany won its opening match against Ukraine 46–28, a game in which captain [[Alexander Widiker]] became the country's record international rugby union player with 51 games.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/5692/37/ Deutsche 15er-Herren gewinnen EM-Auftakt gegen Ukraine] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 27 October 2012. Retrieved: 1 November 2012</ref> After a loss to Poland, Germany finished 2012 with a win over Moldova. The German team lost a warm up match to a Welsh student selection in February 2013 before winning its first competitive match in 2013, against Czech Republic, 27-8. Germany finished the first phase of the campaign with a 73-17 victory over Sweden.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/5999/37/ Deutsche 15er-Herren mit Kantersieg gegen Schweden] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 6 April 2013, Retrieved: 7 April 2013</ref>

Germany's coach Torsten Schippe resigned from his post in April 2013, citing work commitments as the reason, despite achieving good results with his team.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6042/37/ 15er-Nationaltrainer Torsten Schippe tritt zurück] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 18 April 2013, accessed: 19 April 2013</ref>

Schippe was replaced by his assistant Kobus Potgieter as coach of the German team.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6479/37/ DRV-Nationaltrainer Kobus Potgieter: Polen ist der Favorit] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 6 November 2013, accessed: 11 November 2013</ref> Germany started the autumn of 2013 with two wins in friendlies against the B team of the Czech Republic and the New Zealand Ambassador's XV, the later with former All Black captain [[Taine Randell]] in its ranks.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6403/37/ Deutschland verteidigt Ambassadors Cup] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 6 October 2013, accessed: 11 November 2013</ref> It then won its away match against Ukraine before winning at home against Poland, thereby taking back the lead in its division.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6454/37/ Rugby-EM: DRV XV erobert in der Ukraine die Tabellenführung zurück] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 26 October 2013, accessed: 11 November 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6480/37/ Rugby-EM: DRV XV macht einen großen Schritt in Richtung Aufstieg] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 9 November 2013, accessed: 11 November 2013</ref> Germany lost its last game of 2013, 15–30 to Moldova, but won comfortably 76–12 against the Czech Republic in April 2014. This game was to be the 58th and last for German captain and record international Alexander Widiker as he retired from international rugby after that.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6725/37/ Der Kapitän geht von Bord] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 4 April 2014, accessed: 24 April 2014</ref>

Germany's last game of the 2012–14 campaign was against Sweden on 26 April where a bonus point win would guarantee the side the championship, promotion and an advancement in the Rugby World Cup qualifying.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6769/37/ DRV XV: Aufstiegs-Showdown am letzten Spieltag] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 22 April 2014, accessed: 24 April 2014</ref> Germany won the game 45–20 to advance to a play-off game against the Netherlands in the [[2015 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification]],<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6780/37/ DRV XV macht den Aufstieg perfekt] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 26 April 2014, accessed: 27 April 2014</ref> which they won 17-7. They played Russia for a chance to qualify for the [[2015 Rugby World Cup – Repechage qualification|Repechage]] and lead 20–17 up to the 77th minute but eventually lost 20–31 and were knocked out of the qualifying.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/6880/37/ WM-Qualifikation: DRV XV verliert nach großem Kampf gegen Russland] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 24 May 2014, accessed: 25 May 2014</ref>

===ENC 2014–16===
Germany played two warm up matches in 2014. Germany played a match against the New Zealand Ambassadors XV which it won 21–19.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/7152/37/ DRV XV landet knappen Sieg über neuseeländische Rugby-Botschafter] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 12 October 2014, accessed: 20 October 2014</ref> Germany then lost to Namibia 58–20.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/7157/37/ Deutsche Rugby-Nationalmannschaft testet gegen WM-Teilnehmer Namibia] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 15 October 2014, accessed: 20 October 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3891_9540701,00.html Namibia power past Germany] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104064634/http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3891_9540701,00.html |date=4 November 2014 }} www.planetrugby.com, published: 30 October 2014, accessed: 4 November 2014</ref>

Germany is competing in the European Nations Cup First Division 1A in [[2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division|2014–16]]. It is facing Georgia, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Spain in this competition, the same opponents it faced at its last stint at this level when it lost all ten games and was relegated. Germany began its ENC campaign in February 2015 with an 8–64 loss against Georgia. It also lost the following four games against Russia, Portugal, Romania and Spain. Germany thereby ended the first half of the 2014–16 campaign in sixth and last place with just one point out of five games, a bonus point earned against Rumania.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/component/option,com_joomleague/func,showReport/p,190/mid,22541 Spain versus Germany game report] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, accessed: 24 March 2015</ref>

Germany played two friendlies against Brazil, on 28 November in [[Blumenau]], and 4 December in [[São Paulo]] as warm-up matches for the upcoming European Nations Cup games.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/7933/37/ DRV XV: Ohne Vollenkemper auf Länderspiel-Reise nach Brasilien] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 5 November 2015, accessed: 6 November 2015</ref> In the first-ever game against a South American opponent Germany won 29–12 and thereby climbed to 27th spot in the world ranking.<ref>[http://www.worldrugby.org/news/125521 Germany record historic win] worldrugby.org, accessed: 1 December 2015</ref> After losing the first two games of the 2016 campaign Germany defeated Portugal 50–27 in Hanover in front of over 8,000 spectators.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/8095/37/ ENC 2016: DRV XV macht großen Schritt in Richtung Klassenerhalt] {{in lang|de}} totalrugby.de, published: 27 February 2016, accessed: 28 February 2016</ref> After losing to Romania Germany drew their final game of the campaign, against Spain, thereby finishing in fifth place, above Portugal, and avoiding relegation.<ref>[http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/8141/37/ ENC 2016: DRV XV schafft nach Unentschieden gegen Spanien den EM-Klassenerhalt] (in German) totalrugby.de, published: 20 March 2016, accessed: 21 March 2016</ref>

===Europe International Championships 2016–17===
Germany played in the 2016–17 Championship Division of the Europe International Championships.

==Competitions==
The performance of the German team since introduction of the European Nations Cup in 2000.

===European Nations Cup / Europe International Championships===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- align=center bgcolor=#dfdfdf
| width=110px | '''Years'''
| width=180px | '''Division'''
| width=130px | '''W–L (Pts Diff)'''
| width=90px | '''Position'''
| width=100px | '''Promotion /<br>Relegation'''
|- align=center
| [[European Nations Cup Second Division 2000|2000]]
| [[European Nations Cup (Rugby Union)|Second Division]]
| 
| 5th
| —
|- align=center
| [[2001 European Nations Cup Second Division|2001]]
| Second Division
| 
| 3rd
| —
|- align=center
| [[2002–2004 European Nations Cup Second Division|2002–2004]]
| Second Division
| 5–2 (+102)
| 2nd
| —
|- align=center
| [[2006-2008 European Nations Cup Second Division|2006–2008]]
| Second Division
| 6–2 (+67)
| bgcolor=#D0F0C0 | 1st
| Promoted
|- align=center
| [[2008-2010 European Nations Cup First Division|2008–2010]]
| First Division
| 0–10 (−409)
| bgcolor=#FFCCCC | 6th 
| Relegated
|- align=center
| [[2010–2012 European Nations Cup First Division|2010–2012]]
| Division 1B
| 4–6 (+17)
| 4th
| —
|- align=center
| [[2012–14 European Nations Cup First Division|2012–2014]]
| Division 1B
| 8–2 (+218)
| bgcolor=#D0F0C0 | 1st
| Promoted
|-
|- align=center
| [[2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division|2014–2016]]
| Division 1A
| 1–8 (−234)
| 5th
| —
|-
|- align=center
| [[2016–17 Rugby Europe International Championships|2017]]
| Championship Division
| 2–3 (−80)
| 5th
| —
|-
|- align=center
| [[2017–18 Rugby Europe International Championships|2018]]
| Championship Division
| 0–5 (−325)
| 3rd (Romania, Belgium and Spain deducted points)
| —
|- align=center
| [[2018–19 Rugby Europe International Championships|2019]]
| Championship Division
| 0–5 (−115)
| bgcolor=#FFCCCC | 6th 
| Relegated

|- align=center
| [[2019–20 Rugby Europe International Championships|2020]]
| Trophy Division
| 1–2–2 (−23)
| 4th 
| —
|}

===Rugby World Cup qualifying===
{| class=wikitable
|- align=left bgcolor=#dfdfdf
| '''Years'''
| '''Division'''
| '''Position'''
|- align=left
| [[2003 Rugby World Cup – European qualification|2001–2002]]
| [[2003 Rugby World Cup]] — Europe qualification – Round 2 – Pool A
| 2nd
|- align=left
| [[2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification|2004–2006]]
| [[2007 Rugby World Cup]] — Europe qualification – Round 3 – Play-off
| Lost to Spain 28–42 on aggregate.
|-
|- align=left
| [[2011 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification|2008–2010]]
| [[2011 Rugby World Cup]] — Europe qualification — ENC Division 1
| 6th/6th in ENC.
|-
|- align=left
| [[2015 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification#Round 4|2012–2014]]
| [[2015 Rugby World Cup]] — Europe qualification — Round 6
| Lost to Russia 20–31.
|- align=left
| [[2019 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification|2017–2018]]
| [[2019 Rugby World Cup – play-off qualifications]]
| Finished 2nd at repechage tournament

|}

==Match results==
{{Main|List of Germany national rugby union team results}}

===Notable wins===
The following table shows all German wins during the Rugby World Cup era (1987–present) against teams that have played in a Rugby World Cup.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style=text-align:center
|-
! width=85px | Match date !! width=80px | Opponent !! width=55px | Result !! Match
|-
| 13 May 2006 || Spain || 18–6 || [[2007_Rugby_World_Cup_–_Europe_qualification#Playoff|2007 Rugby World Cup — Europe qualification – Round 3 – Play-off]]
|-
| 27 February 2016 || Portugal || 50–27 || [[2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division|European Nations Cup]]
|-
| 12 November 2016 || Uruguay || 24–21 || [[2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals|Autumn International]]
|-
| 11 February 2017 || Romania || 41–38 || [[2017 Rugby Europe Championship|Rugby Europe Championship]]
|-
| 16 June 2018 || Portugal || 16-13 || [[2019 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification]]
|}
Source:<ref>{{cite web|title=Germany wins|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/stats/index.html?class=1;orderby=date;orderbyad=reverse;page=2;result=1;team=7;template=results;type=team;view=match|publisher=ESPN|access-date=8 December 2017}}</ref>

==Record==
===Overall===
Results listed includes games that was played as West Germany. See [[East Germany national rugby union team|East Germany]] for results recorded by East Germany.

Until the separation of Germany to East and West, Germany had a winning record of 51.35%, winning 19 matches in 37 games between 1900 and 1940. As West Germany, they recorded a 40% win rate, winning 62 matches in 155 games from 1952 and 1990. As a united Germany, from 1900 until present day, Germany has won 151 of their 333 representative matches.

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by a Germany national team at test level up until 2 March 2023.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Test matches - Team records|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/stats/index.html?class=1;orderby=date;team=475;template=results;type=team;view=opposition|website=ESPN scrum|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Test matches - Team records|url=http://stats.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/stats/index.html?class=1;orderby=team;team=7;template=results;type=team;view=opposition|website=ESPN scrum|access-date=19 January 2018}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
! style="width:188px;"| Opponent
! style="width:50px;"| Played
! style="width:48px;"| Won
! style="width:48px;"| Lost
! style="width:50px;"| Drawn
! style="width:50px;"| Win %
! style="width:48px;"| For
! style="width:48px;"| Aga
! style="width:50px;"| Diff
|-
| {{Ru|AND}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 56 || 11 || +45
|-
| {{Ru|AUT}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 69 || 9 || +60
|-
| {{Ru|BEL}} || 32 || 21 || 10 || 1 || {{#expr:21/32*100 round 2}}% || 758 || 485 || +273
|-
| {{Ru|BUL}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 40 || 12 || +28
|-
| {{Ru|BRA}} || 5 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 157 || 51 || +106
|-
| {{flagdeco|UK|army}} [[Army Rugby Union|British Army]] || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 26 || 9 || +17
|-
| {{Ru|CAN}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0.00% ||10 || 29 || -19
|-
| {{Ru|CHI}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0.00% || 10 || 32 || −22
|-
| {{Ru|CRO}} || 3 || 1 || 1 || 1 || {{#expr:1/3*100 round 2}}% || 50 || 67 || −17
|-
| {{Ru|CZE}} || 9 || 7 || 2 || 0 || {{#expr:7/9*100 round 2}}% || 254 || 138 || +116
|-
| {{Ru|CSK}} || 15 || 5 || 9 || 1 || {{#expr:5/15*100 round 2}}% || 176 || 223 || −47
|-
| {{Ru|DEN}} || 9 || 8 || 1 || 0 || {{#expr:8/9*100 round 2}}% || 215 || 99 || +116
|-
| {{Ru|FRA}} || 15 || 2 || 13 || 0 || {{#expr:2/15*100 round 2}}% || 89 || 298 || −209
|-
| {{Ru|FRA|name=France XV}} || 29 || 0 || 28 || 1 || 0.00% || 177 || 822 || −645
|-
| {{Ru|GEO}} || 10 || 0 || 10 || 0 || 0.00% || 64 || 521 || −457
|-
| {{Ru|HKG}} || 3 || 2 || 1 || 0 || {{#expr:2/3*100 round 2}}% || 50 || 23 || +27
|-
| {{Ru|ITA}} || 20 || 4 || 15 || 1 || {{#expr:4/20*100 round 2}}% || 123 || 253 || −130
|-
| {{Ru|KEN}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 73 || 35 || +28
|-
| {{Ru|LVA}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 71 || 5 || +66
|-
| {{Ru|LTU}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 77 || 21 || +56
|-
| {{Ru|LUX}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 150 || 7 || +143
|-
| {{Ru|MLT}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 43 || 0 || +43
|-
| {{Ru|MDA}} || 7 || 4 || 3 || 0 || {{#expr:4/7*100 round 2}}% || 187 || 128 || +59
|-
| {{Ru|MAR}} || 10 || 3 || 7 || 0 || {{#expr:3/10*100 round 2}}% || 97 || 163 || -66
|-
| {{Ru|NAM}} || 3 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0.00% || 40 || 191 || -151
|-
| {{Ru|NED}} || 45 || 27 || 17 || 1 || {{#expr:27/45*100 round 2}}% || 805 || 580 || +225
|-
| {{Ru|POL}} || 20 || 10 || 10 || 0 || {{#expr:10/20*100 round 2}}% || 329 || 317 || +12
|-
| {{Ru|POR}} || 12 || 5 || 7 || 0 || {{#expr:5/12*100 round 2}}% || 208 || 313 || −105
|-
| {{Ru|ROM}} || 21 || 6 || 15 || 0 || {{#expr:6/21*100 round 2}}% || 237 || 604 || −367
|-
| {{Ru|RUS}} || 11 || 0 || 11 || 0 || 0.00% || 145 || 533 || −388
|-
| {{Ru|SAM}} || 3 || 0 || 3 || 0 || 0.00% || 52 || 162 || −110
|-
| {{flagdeco|SCG}} Serbia & Montenegro || 7 || 6 || 0 || 1 || {{#expr:6/7*100 round 2}}% || 232 || 26 || +206
|-
| {{ru|URS}} || 5 || 1 || 4 || 0 || {{#expr:1/5*100 round 2}}% || 53 || 161 || −108
|-
| {{Ru|ESP}} || 26 || 8 || 16 || 2 || {{#expr:8/26*100 round 2}}% || 304 || 588 || −284
|-
| {{Ru|SWE}} || 10 || 7 || 3 || 0 || {{#expr:7/10*100 round 2}}% || 276 || 135 || +141
|-
| {{Ru|SWI}} || 9 || 7 || 1 || 1 || {{#expr:7/9*100 round 2}}% || 263 || 161 || +102
|-
| {{Ru|TUN}} || 4 || 2 || 2 || 0 || {{#expr:2/4*100 round 2}}% || 58 || 53 || +5
|-
| {{Ru|UKR}} || 8 || 5 || 2 || 1 || {{#expr:5/8*100 round 2}}% || 170 || 131 || +39
|-
| {{Ru|USA}} || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0.00% || 17 || 46 || −29
|-
| {{Ru|URU}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 100.00% || 24 || 21 || +3
|-
| {{flagicon|WAL}} Wales Dev. XV || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0.00% || 14 || 27 || −13
|- class="sortbottom"
! Total !! 363 !! 157 !! 196 !! 10 !! {{#expr:157/363*100 round 2}}%!! 6009 !! 7160 !! −1151
|}

==Squad==
German 23-player squad for their match against UK Armed Forces in November 2023, and in preparation for their test match against [[United Arab Emirates national rugby union team|United Arab Emirates]]<ref>[https://www.rugbydeutschland.org/post-295872v4/posts/56247 Kader für Adler-Test gegen die UK Armed Forces steht]</ref>

'''Head Coaches:''' {{flagicon|GER}} [[Mark Kuhlmann]]
* Caps Updated: 23 October 2024 <small>(as per squad announcement)</small>
{{nat rs start|hidenote=yes}}
{{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Rewi|Pomare}}|age=|caps=0|club=[[Heidelberger TV]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=HK|name={{sortname|Andrew|Reintges}}|age={{birth date and age|1998|5|22|df=y}}|caps=12|club=[[Heidelberger RK]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Marcus|Bachofer}}|age={{birth date and age|1989|4|16|df=y}}|caps=6|club=[[Heidelberger RK]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Christophe|Edene}}|age={{birth date and age|2001|12|14|df=y}}|caps=6|club=[[SC 1880 Frankfurt]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Jörn|Schröder}} ([[Captain (sports)|c]])|age={{birth date and age|1992|11|8|df=y}}|caps=40|club=[[Heidelberger RK]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=PR|name={{sortname|Daniel|Wolf|dab=rugby union}}|age={{birth date and age|2000|4|6|df=y}}|caps=12|club=[[SC 1880 Frankfurt]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Luis|Ball}}|age={{birth date and age|1999|5|16|df=y}}|caps=3|club=[[Watsonian FC|Watsonian]]|clubnat=SCO}}
{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Robert|Lehmann|dab=rugby union}}|age=|caps=4|club=[[SC Neuenheim]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=LK|name={{sortname|Hassan|Rayan}}|age={{birth date and age|1994|8|24|df=y}}|caps=12|club=[[SC 1880 Frankfurt]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Giovanni|Habel-Küffner}}|age={{birth date and age|1995|1|9|df=y}}|caps=0|club=[[Aviron Bayonnais|Bayonne]]|clubnat=FRA}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Shawn|Ingle}}|age={{birth date and age|1998|10|19|df=y}}|caps=2|club=[[Blackheath F.C.|Blackheath]]|clubnat=ENG}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Justin|Renc}}|age={{birth date and age|2000|2|2|df=y}}|caps=12|club=[[TSV Handschuhsheim]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=BR|name={{sortname|Oliver|Stein}}|age={{birth date and age|2001|1|7|df=y}}|caps=5|club=[[SC 1880 Frankfurt]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=SH|name={{sortname|Nicolas|Hoyer}}|age=|caps=0|club=[[RC Tatra Smíchov]]|clubnat=CZE}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{sortname|Niklas|Bechtel}}|age={{birth date and age|2003|9|22|df=y}}|caps=0|club=[[TSV Handschuhsheim]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FH|name={{sortname|Bader|Pretorius}}|age={{birth date and age|1997|5|16|df=y}}|caps=0|club=[[Clube Rugby São Miguel|São Miguel]]|clubnat=POR}}
{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Robin|Plümpe}}|age=|caps=1|club=[[RG Heidelberg]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=CE|name={{sortname|Leo|Wolf}}|age={{birth date and age|2001|5|16|df=y}}|caps=12|club=[[SC 1880 Frankfurt]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Nikolai|Klewinghaus}}|age={{birth date and age|1998|3|16|df=y}}|caps=11|club=[[SC Neuenheim]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=WG|name={{sortname|Felix|Lammers}}|age={{birth date and age|1996|11|29|df=y}}|caps=15|club=[[SC Neuenheim]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{sortname|Alexander|Brosowski}}|age=|caps=0|club=[[DSV 78 Hannover]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs player|pos=FB|name={{sortname|Jan|Piosik}}|age={{birth date and age|1998|11|20|df=y}}|caps=6|club=[[DSV 78 Hannover]]|clubnat=GER}}
{{nat rs end}}

==Rankings==
{{World Rugby Rankings|Germany|history=}}

==Captains==
The following players have captained Germany in the recent past:
{| class=wikitable
|- align=center bgcolor=#dfdfdf
| '''Captain'''
| '''Years'''
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Horst Kemmling]]
| –1994
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Dirk Kuhnen]]
| 1995–1998
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Mark Schulze]]
| 1998–1999
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Mark Kuhlmann]]
| 1999–2003
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Colin Grzanna]]
| 2007–2008
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Jens Schmidt]]
| 2006–2009
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Mustafa Güngör]]
| 2009–2010
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Alexander Widiker]]
| 2011–2014
|- align=center
|align=left| Sean Armstrong 
| 2014–
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Clemens von Grumbkow]]
| 2015
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Michael Poppmeier]]
| 2016–2018
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Sebastian Ferreira]]
| 2019
|- align=center
|align=left| [[Jörn Schröder]]
| 2019-2020
|}

==Coaches==
The following coaches have led Germany in the recent past:
{| class=wikitable
|- align=center bgcolor=#dfdfdf
| '''Coach'''
| '''Years'''
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Helmut Flügge]]
| 1959–1969
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Klaus Wesch]]
| 1969–1981
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Fritz Raupers]]
| 1981–1988
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Robert Antonin]]
| 1988–1990
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Jean-Claude Rutault]]
| 1990–1992
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|ROU}} [[Petre Ianusevici]]
| 1992–2000
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Torsten Schippe]]
| 2000–2001
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Rudolf Finsterer]]
| 2001–2010
|-align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Bruno Stolorz]]
| 2008-2010
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|GER}} Torsten Schippe
| 2010–2013
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|RSA}} Kobus Potgieter
| 2013–2017
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|URU}} [[Pablo Lemoine]]
| 2018
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Mike Ford (rugby)|Mike Ford]]
| 2018–2019
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Mark Kuhlmann]] (interim)
| 2019
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|RSA}} [[Byron Schmidt]] and [[Melvine Smith]]
| 2020
|- align=center
|align=left| {{flagicon|GER}} [[Mark Kuhlmann]]
| 2020 - 
|}

==Silver medal team 1900==
[[File:Rugby1 1900.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Germany, represented by [[SC 1880 Frankfurt]], at the [[Rugby union at the 1900 Summer Olympics|1900 Summer Olympics]]]]
The following players were part of the team that won the silver medal at the [[Rugby union at the 1900 Summer Olympics|1900 Summer Olympics]]:<ref>[http://www.rugby-verband.de/cms/index.php?id=75 Die Gründerjahre des deutschen Rugbysports] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025044353/http://www.rugby-verband.de/cms/index.php?id=75 |date=25 October 2007 }} {{in lang|de}} DRV website – Foundation years. Retrieved: 27 December 2008</ref>
* [[Albert Amrhein]]
* [[Hugo Betting]]
* [[Jacob Herrmann]]
* [[Willy Hofmeister]]
* [[Hermann Kreuzer]]
* [[Arnold Landvoigt]]
* [[Hans Latscha]]
* [[Erich Ludwig]]
* [[Richard Ludwig]]
* [[Fritz Müller (rugby player)|Fritz Müller]]
* [[Eduard Poppe]]
* [[Heinrich Reitz]]
* [[August Schmierer]]
* [[Adolf Stockhausen]]
* [[Georg Wenderoth]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{in lang|de}} [http://www.rugby-verband.de Deutscher Rugby-Verband] – Official Site
*{{in lang|de}} [http://www.totalrugby.de/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/ TotalRugby.de] German rugby website with news and results
*{{in lang|de}} [http://www.rugbyweb.de/ rugbyweb.de] German rugby website with news and results
* [http://www.rugbyeurope.eu/ Official Rugby Europe website]

{{Germany national rugby union team}}
{{National sports teams of Germany}}
{{National rugby teams}}
{{Rugby union in Germany}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Germany National Rugby Union Team}}
[[Category:Germany national rugby union team| ]]
[[Category:European national rugby union teams]]
[[Category:National sports teams of Germany]]
[[Category:Rugby union in Germany]]
[[Category:Teams in European Nations Cup (rugby union)]]