The Luxembourg U20s rugby team is currently in Brno, Czech Republic, for the European Championship tournament being played from 22 to 30 August; it comprises 6 teams: Czech Republic, Switzerland, Ukraine, Luxembourg, Moldova and Latvia.

After losing their opening match on Sunday to Ukraine (see match report below), they played against the host nation on Wednesday but came up short 27-15. Their last match will be on Saturday against Ukraine for 3rd place.

Match Report: Luxembourg U20s vs Ukraine U20s

A very youthful Luxembourg U20s team took to the field in Brno, against a big, strong Ukranian side on Sunday. The Luxembourg XV competed well for the first 20 minutes, and could have been in the lead had William Cope's penalty not sailed wide. The Ukranians however then began to dominate territory and field position, and were able to get themselves into position to launch a series of sustained attacks on the Luxembourg try line from close range.

Some good defence kept them out initially, but Ukraine were able to force their way over after a series of pick-and-go style attacks. A successful conversion meant Ukraine led 7-0. Only a few minutes later, Ukraine got over again after Luxembourg lost possession of the ball following a scrum. Taking the wrong option at the back of the scrum allowed Ukraine to capitalise on a loose ball and crash over for a second try. Luxembourg were still trying to play adventurous rugby from their own half, and this continued to cost them dearly, as Ukraine were again able to regain the ball deep in Luxembourg territory. Two more tries followed - both almost identical from a series of close range thrusts,   with Luxembourg making repeated tackles, but being forced back slowly as Ukraine expertly recycled the ball repeatedly.

Trailing 24-0 at half time, and facing another very physical 40 minutes, it would have been easy for heads to start dropping in the Luxembourg team. The fact that they did not is testimony to the character of the young players who make up the squad. Several substitutions in the second half steadied the ship for Luxembourg, with George Penn and Pascal Vineis both making strong contributions off the bench. Luxembourg's scrum was steady throughout the game, and their lineout also functioned reasonably well. It was from one such lineout that Luxembourg's pack was able to drive their far larger opponents back over their line for a try, grounded by Penn, but for which the whole pack must take credit. A second try was added by late substitute Jason Ribeiro, whose raw power saw him plough through 3 defenders and force himself over the line. 

Despite a relatively soft try to Ukraine betraying a lack of concentration, the Luxembourg team can take heart from a spirited second half performance. Luxembourg included a number of 17 year-olds in the squad, and matches such as this will serve as an important stage in their development.
 
Final score: Ukraine 34 Luxembourg 12. 

Luxembourg U20s Squad:

1 POPPELAARS Charel
2 HOPWOOD Robert
3 RIBEIRO Jason
4 VINEIS Pascal
5 OLSEN Christian (Captain)
6 ROMAO Sebastian
7 ERNSTBERGER Sacha
8 KENENS Maxim
9 JOLLIFFE Seiji
10 OMBREDANE Hugo
11 PENN George (Vice-Captain)
12 ROMAO Alex
13 DENNIS-SOTO Matthew
14 CHRISTENSEN Jesper
15 DE BRUYN Stan
16 PENN William
17 LACHAISE Gauthier
18 SCHMITZ Martin
19 IRONS Samuel
20 DIAS Bryan
21 COPE William
22 ASCOLI Daniel
23 PACAUD Martin
24 VAN ZEELAND Joshua
25 LACHAISE Baptiste
26 WILLIAMS Rhys

Also with Jonathan Flynn (Coach); Alexandre Benedetti (NTD); Eric Zimmer (Physio); Thierry Logier (Manager).