Spain stripped of Rugby World Cup place after using ineligible player

In March, Spain secured a World Cup spot for the first time since 1999

Spain have been stripped of their 2023 Rugby World Cup place after World Rugby deemed they had used an ineligible player during qualification.

A 10-point penalty applied to Spain in the European qualification tournament means Portugal are now also in a position to reach the World Cup.

Spain can still appeal the decision.

While Romania advance automatically in place of Spain, Portugal can secure their place through a final qualification tournament in November.

Romania last played at the World Cup in 2015, while Portugal's only appearance at the tournament came in 2007.

Spain - who have 14 days to appeal - were given a £25,000 fine and will now also have to pay a £50,000 suspended fine from a previous eligibility breach made in qualifying for the 2019 World Cup, which they were also disqualified from.

The other sides in Pool B are Scotland, Ireland and South Africa, as well as an unconfirmed Asia-Pacific qualifier.

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