Switzerland
Spain
Spain will be going to Switzerland with full focus on getting the job done. With the ghosts of the past 2 RWC disqualifications will be a further driving force for Los Leones to get the result required. However, the Swiss will be hosting their first home game of their Rugby Europe Championship era. Switzerland will be expecting to ensure their debut home game does not end in the same way as the Georgia game.
Last Match Form
Switzerland have rung the changes for the visit of Los Leones, with 4 changes from the forward pack that faced Georgia. Captain from last week Nicolas Mousties is replaced as captain by Tim Voegltli, and stand out performer from last week Lazlo Pschorn moves to 8 in the place of Mousties. The changes don't stop there, a new centre partnership will face up against Spain looking to take their chances from the glimmers that Switzerland had in their attacking phases last week, The rest of the back line has 1 replacement with Willy Meyer coming in at 11 and the rest of the backline having a shuffle of position from last week. There will be a real focus on stopping what was a devastating lineout maul from the Spanish last week.
Switzerland Starting XV (1-15) Cameron Holenstein, Maxime Lucon, Louis Alexandre Chavanon, Jorn Vögtli, Tim Vögtli, Antoine Cramont, Thomas Coignat, Lazlo Pschorn, Simon Perrod, Jules Porcher, William Meyer, Louis Pharaony, Jean Morard, Lucas Heinrich, Jolan Vincent
Switzerland Replacements (16-23) Tom Nublat, Maxence Gisclard, Thomas McCarthy, Cyril Lin, Simione Tabaki, Donovan O'Grady, Henry Pharaony, Samuel Sjoberg
Spain go with a heavily rotated side but definitely not weakened. They will have one eye on the visit of Georgia next week, but have a fully capable side to do a job against the Swiss on Sunday. Mario Pichardie will be chomping at the bit to put in a shift, after missing the autumn tests due to injury. Mario put in a great performance in his second half appearance against the Netherlands. Estanislao Bay will be looking to have the same impact that he did last weekend and finding the space that will likely appear from the impactful attacking play the Spanish employ. With many of the team looking to put their hat in the ring for a starting spot for Los Leones, they will be making sure they do everything to ensure their name is on the sheet against Georgia next week. Lucien Richardis will also be looking to get his International debut too.
Spain Starting XV (1-15) Titi Futeu, Alvaro Garcia Albo, Lucas Santamaria, Imanol Urraza, Manex Ariceta, Matthew Foulds, Mario Pichardi, Raphael Nieto, Estanislao Bay, Gonzalo Lopez Bontempo, Alberto Carmona, Alvar Gimeno, Inaki Mateu, Martiniano Cian, Federico Casteglioni
Spain Replacements (16-23) Santiago Ovejero, Hugo Gonzalez, Joaquin Dominguez, Alex Saleta, Ekain Imaz, Ike Irusta, Gonzalo Vinuesa, Lucien Richardis
Even with a heavily rotated side, I still stand with my prediction that it will be another tough day at the office for Switzerland. This Spanish side will be looking to make a statement and get the job done, while staking their claim for a starting spot next week. Don't be surprised to see more than 10 Spanish tries in this game but still expect Switzerland to get points on the board too.
| # | Team | PL | W | L | D | PD | BP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Georgia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 143 | 2 | 10 |
| 2 |  Spain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 05 |
| 3 |  Netherlands | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -62 | 0 | 00 |
| 4 |  Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -110 | 0 | 00 |