There were a number of positions open to European nations to qualify for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Ireland, Romania, Georgia and Italy, joining a number of other nations that automatically qualified.
Contents
Round 1 – 2000-2001
Three Pool Winners and top Runner-Up advanced to Round 2.
Pool A
Winner (Sweden) and Runner-Up (Latvia) advanced to Round 2.
Pool B
Winner (Switzerland) advanced to Round 2.
Pool C
Winner (Belgium) advanced to Round 2.
Round 2 – 2001-2002
Pool Winners advanced to Round 3.
Pool A
Winner (Poland)advanced to Round 3.
Pool B
Winner (Czech Republic) advanced to Round 3.
Round 3 – May–June, 2002
Pool Winners advanced to Round 4.
Pool A
Winner (Spain) advanced to Round 4.
Pool B
Winner (Russia) advanced to Round 4.
Round 4 – September–October, 2002
Pool Winners and Runners-Up qualified to 2003 Rugby World Cup. 3rd-Place advanced to Round 5.
Pool A
Italy qualified as Europe 2 to Pool D, Romania as Europe 3 to Pool A. Spain advanced to Round 5.
Pool B
Ireland qualified as Europe 1 to Pool D, Georgia as Europe 4 to Pool C. Russia advanced to Round 5.
Round 5 – October–November, 2002
Spain advanced to Repechage as Europe 5 to play Africa 2.
Match Schedule
Russia won 58-41 on aggregate. However, after it was determined they used ineligible South African players, they were ejected from the competition and Spain advanced to Repechage.