2014–16 European Nations Cup Third Division

2014–16 European Nations Cup Third Division
Date 2014–2016
Countries Division 3:
 Belarus
 Estonia
 Greece
 Montenegro
 Slovakia
Champions  Slovakia (2015)
 Estonia (2016)
Tournament statistics
Matches played 8
Tries scored 82 (10.25 per match)
Top scorer(s) Estonia Luke Veebel (72)
Most tries Estonia Luke Veebel (11)
Website Rugby Europe
2016–18

The 2014–16 European Nations Cup Third Division is the fourth tier of rugby union in Europe behind the Six Nations Championship and the 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division and the 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division.

Slovakia return from the 2012–14 European Nations Cup Third Division, and are joined by the relegated Greece, as well as Belarus, Estonia and Montenegro. 2012–14 champions, Turkey are promoted to ENC 2D, while Azerbaijan have decided not to compete in this tournament.

Belarus played their first international rugby union match; a qualifier against Estonia, who will also be playing in their first ENC tournament. The winner of this match (Estonia) played in a semi final-final format tournament against Montenegro and Slovakia 2014-2015 title. Greece withdrew from the tournament, and was replaced by a Montenegrin President's XV.[1] The format for the 2015-2016 tournament has yet to be decided.

The best team over the 2014-15 and 2015-16 championships will be promoted to Division 2D of the European Nations Cup for the 2016–2018 cup.[1][2]

Slovakia won the Third Division in 2015 by beating Montenegro in the final 31-3. Estonia won the title in 2016 by beating Slovakia in the final 36-29.

2014-15

Qualifying play-off

Finals

The original format included top seeds Greece, second seeds Slovakia, third seeds and hosts Montenegro and qualifiers Estonia. Greece were drawn against Estonia, and Slovakia against Montenegro. However, after the withdrawal of Greece, all teams moved up one seed, with the Montenegrin President's XV taking Greece's place as fourth seed.

Semi-finals Final
11 April 2015
 President XV  0  
  Slovakia  82  
 
14 April 2015
      Slovakia  31
    Montenegro  3
Third place
11 April 2015 14 April 2015
  Montenegro  29  President XV  0
  Estonia  27     Estonia  106

Semi Finals

3rd Place Play-Off

Final

2015-16

Finals

Semi-finals Final
18 May 2016
  Slovakia  29  
  Belarus  17  
 
21 May 2016
      Slovakia  29
    Estonia  36
Third place
18 May 2016 21 May 2016
  Estonia  16   Belarus  19
  Montenegro  13     Montenegro  45

Semi Finals

3rd Place Play-Off

Final

See also

References

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