Cyprus got their Rugby Europe Men’s Conference campaign off to a strong
start with a convincing 17-48 victory over Gibraltar at Europa Point Stadium
on Saturday, scoring eight tries in an impressive away performance.

The match was a historic occasion for the hosts, marking Gibraltar’s first
competitive XV international. However, Cyprus quickly demonstrated their
attacking threat, using their pace, physicality and strength in the scrum to
take control of the contest.

Cyprus Take Control in the First Half

Cyprus made an early breakthrough with blindside flanker Pantelis
Stylianou crossing for the opening try and Mihali Joannou adding the
conversion to establish a 0-7 lead. Gibraltar responded with a successful
penalty, scoring their first-ever competitive points to make it 3-7, but the
visitors soon regained control.

Another try by Stylianou extended Cyprus’ advantage before further scores,
including a penalty try, saw them pull clear. By the 35th minute Gibraltar
were down to 13 men and Cyprus had built a commanding 3-33 lead,
capitalising on their attacking opportunities and putting the home defence
under sustained pressure.

Gibraltar continued to compete and were rewarded just before half time,
scoring their first try in an official competitive international by the hands of
second row Lewis Honey. With the conversion successful, the teams went
into the break with Cyprus leading 10-33.

Visitors Maintain Their Advantage

Cyprus continued where they had left off after the restart, adding another
try following a scrum close to the Gibraltar line to extend their lead to 10-38.

The hosts showed determination to get back into the game, but Cyprus
remained dangerous in possession and continued to find ways through the
defence. Another try took the visitors to 10-43 as they maintained their
advantage.

Gibraltar refused to give up and crossed for a second try, converting to
bring the score to 17-43. Cyprus had the final say, however, adding a late
try to complete the scoring at 17-48.

A Positive Start for Cyprus

The result gives Cyprus an encouraging start to their 2026/27 Rugby Europe
Men’s Conference campaign and puts them at the top of Pool D ahead of
Israel, Andorra and Gibraltar. Eight tries and a strong attacking display
provided a solid foundation for the season ahead, while the team’s ability
to turn pressure into points proved decisive. Pantelis Stylianou was named
Man of the Match by the commentators following his standout
performance.

Credit is also due to Gibraltar, who marked a significant milestone for their
national team by competing in their first official Rugby Europe XV
international and scoring twice against the visitors.

Cyprus will now turn their attention to their next Conference fixture, when
they host Israel on 3 April 2027.

Cyprus tries: Pantelis Stylianou (6′, 21′), penalty try (28′), Ben Yarrow (30′),
Mihali Joannou (33′), Joseph Ridgewell (52′), Alex Thompson (65′), Aaron
Beyzade (88′). Conversions: Mihali Joannou (7′, 31′, 34′).

Click here to watch the replay on Rugby Europe TV.

Read how it all unfolded as Munster eventually got the job done on what was an emotional night at Páirc Úí Chaoimh.

Leinster produced a fine second-half display to record a bonus-point 48-23 win against a limited Clermont side at Stade Marcel-Michelin.

Zebre Parma 21 Ulster 40

Tragedy happens 10 years to the day of Anthony Foley’s sudden passing in Paris

Una notizia drammatica scuote il mondo del rugby proprio nelle ore che precedono il ritorno delle grandi sfide europee. Hyron Andrews, seconda linea sudafricana di 31 anni, è stato trovato senza vita nella camera d’albergo in cui soggiornava a La Rochelle insieme ai compagni dei Lions, squadra sudafricana impegnata nelle competizioni europee. Il ritrovamento è avvenuto alla vigilia della partita d’esordio in Champions Cup contro la formazione francese, in programma sabato alle 18.30. Al momento non è ancora arrivata una comunicazione ufficiale sul rinvio, che però salvo clamorose decisioni avverrà.

Stando alle prime ricostruzioni, Andrews sarebbe stato trovato privo di vita nella doccia del bagno della sua stanza. Tra le ipotesi al vaglio c’è quella di un arresto cardiaco, seguito da una caduta. Le circostanze della morte, tuttavia, non sono ancora state confermate ufficialmente. La notizia ha iniziato a circolare nelle prime ore del pomeriggio attraverso i media sudafricani, raggiungendo successivamente anche la stampa europea. In un primo momento, l’identità del giocatore non era stata resa nota. È stata poi la stessa federazione sudafricana a confermare il nome di Andrews, dopo aver espresso le proprie condoglianze alla famiglia.

Il rugbista lascia la moglie Maighlin. Nel corso della sua carriera aveva vestito le maglie di diverse squadre, tra cui i KZN Sharks in Sudafrica e i Sale Sharks in Inghilterra. Nel 2015 aveva inoltre rappresentato il Sudafrica con la nazionale Under 20, nel ruolo di seconda linea. Un percorso che gli aveva permesso di guadagnarsi rispetto e considerazione all’interno dell’ambiente rugbistico del suo Paese. La scomparsa di Andrews ha provocato profonda commozione nella comunità del rugby. A esprimere il cordoglio della federazione è stato il presidente Mark Alexander, che ha voluto rivolgere un pensiero alla famiglia del giocatore e a tutta la squadra dei Lions.

“È una notizia terribile e sconvolgente; il nostro pensiero va alla famiglia di Hyron e a tutta la comunità rugbistica dei Lions” ha dichiarato Mark Alexander, presidente della Federazione Sudafricana: “Non ci sono parole adeguate per esprimere il nostro shock e la profondità della solidarietà che proviamo per sua moglie Maighlin, per la sua famiglia allargata, per gli amici, i compagni di squadra e tutte le persone a lui care in questo momento di immenso dolore. Hyron era un membro rispettato della comunità rugbistica, e il suo contributo al gioco e l’impatto che ha avuto su chi gli stava intorno saranno ricordati con grande affetto. La sua scomparsa prematura è una perdita devastante e condividiamo il dolore di tutti coloro che lo conoscevano e gli volevano bene. I pensieri e le preghiere dell’intera famiglia del rugby sudafricano sono con Maighlin e con tutte le persone che piangono la sua scomparsa. Possano trovare forza, conforto e pace nei ricordi condivisi con lui e nel sostegno di chi è loro vicino”.

L'articolo Dramma nel rugby: Hyron Andrews trovato morto nel bagno dell’hotel prima del match di Champions proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.

The opening round of this season's Investec Champions Cup has been rocked by tragedy, after the sudden death of a player for the South African Lions, ahead of their meeting with La Rochelle on Saturday.

Rugby spent its first century as an amateur game run by national unions that answered to nobody but themselves, then three decades of professionalism have changed that. Players sign contracts across borders, clubs compete in cross-border leagues, and private capital owns stakes in its biggest competitions. That places rugby inside the reach of European Union law, which treats an athlete as a worker and a governing body as an undertaking.

Competitions and the European sport model

In December 2023 the EU's top court ruled in football's Super League case that a governing body can only block a rival competition if its rules for doing so are clear, applied equally and no stricter than necessary. 

In October 2025, eight national rugby unions declared that anyone joining the proposed R360 franchise league would lose eligibility for Test rugby. If that ban is challenged, unions would likely keep the power to say no, but they will have to publish rules for saying it, as UEFA did after its defeat.

Grassroots, Inclusion and the Emerging Nations

Below the regulated professional game, the EU's influence comes through money rather than courts. Erasmus+ has a sport budget aimed at grassroots participation and equality, and rugby has already used it for women's projects, some built around sevens, where the calendar of rugby sevens fixtures gives newer unions a realistic way into international competition. 

The Parliament wants that budget increased from 2028, which matters most to unions outside the Six Nations and its broadcast deals.

Workers who happen to play rugby

A rugby player is a worker in the eyes of EU law, and that has shaped who clubs can sign for thirty years. Bosman in 1995 stopped leagues capping the number of EU players in a squad, and Kolpak later gave the same rights to players from countries with EU trade deals, including South Africa. 

Brexit ended both for clubs in England, Wales and Scotland while Ireland's provinces kept them, so one league now recruits under two sets of rules. 

The next shift is about conditions rather than passports. In October 2025 the European Parliament backed treating athletes as employees with full labour rights and player unions having a say on calendars and welfare.

Autonomy on condition

Rugby's governing bodies still write their own laws, calendars and eligibility rules, but what has changed is that those choices are now reviewable by courts and shaped by policy that treats sport as an economic activity first. Autonomy remains, but only on condition of compliance, and the exceptions keep narrowing.