Spain have been kicked out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup after it was discovered they fielded an ineligible player during this year’s European Championship.
The Telegraph report that ‘an independent judicial committee appointed by World Rugby found that Gavin van den Berg, Spain’s South African-born prop, had been selected by Spain before he had qualified on three-year residency grounds.’
It is the second successive World Cup at which Spain have lost their place, for the same offence. They still have 14 days in which to appeal the decision.
While Romania advance automatically to the World Cup in place of Spain, Portugal can now secure their place in France through a final qualification tournament in November.