On Friday, Rugby Europe announced a new format for the European Rugby Championship, a competition in which Romania is participating.

Thus, starting next year, this competition will expand from six to eight teams, which will be divided into two groups, writes News.ro.

Romania is in a group with Portugal, Belgium and Poland

The Oaks will be in Group B along with Portugal, Belgium and Poland, while Group A will feature Georgia, Spain, the Netherlands and Germany, reports rugbyromania.ro.

Considering the elimination of Russia from all sports competitions, three new countries have been nominated in this echelon of values: Poland, Germany and Belgium.

The 20 matches, including the group stage, semi-finals and finals, will be played between February and March 2023.

In the groups, everyone will play each other, after which in the playoffs, the two best places in each group will play in the semifinals, and the last two in the group will play for 5-8 places.

All ranking matches (four matches), including the final, will be played in one weekend.

Thus, the group matches will take place on the weekends of February 4-5, February 11-12, February 18-19, the semi-finals on March 4-5, and the finals on March 18-19.

European Rugby Championship 2023, competition calendar

Group B

• February 4

Romania against Poland

Portugal vs Belgium

• February 11

Belgium vs Romania

Poland vs. Portugal

• February 18

Portugal vs Romania

Poland vs. Belgium.

Group A

• February 4

Spain vs Netherlands

Georgia vs. Germany

• February 11

Germany vs. Spain

Netherlands vs. Georgia

• February 18

Germany vs Netherlands

Spain vs. Georgia.

The competition will be held for two years.