Samoa's Rugby World Cup qualifying path has been confirmed after an appeal committee upheld the decision to sanction Belgium, Romania and Spain for fielding ineligible players during the Rugby Europe Championship.
That means Russia will take their place at next year's World Cup in Pool A, while Samoa will face Germany or Portugal in Apia on June 30 and in Europe two weeks later, in a home and away playoff.
Manu Samoa will face Germany or Portugal in a home and away playoff. Photo: AFP
Romania and Spain had appealed last month's ruling by the independent disputes committee, which was found to have followed the correct approach in imposing a points deduction on Belgium, Romania and Spain for breaching World Rugby Regulation 8.
Spain also requested their match against Belgium to be replayed but the appeal committee found that "would have proved academic in light of the points deduction".
The decision of the Independent Appeal Committee is final and binding with no further right to appeal.
World Rugby has committed to undertake a full review of eligibility processes within the game to ensure a similar situation does not occur in future.
"While World Rugby welcomes the conclusion of the independent disputes process, it is important that the game learns from what were an unfortunate set of circumstances to prevent this from happening again, said Chairman Bill Beaumont.
"...World Rugby will undertake a full review of Regulation 8 process and compliance to enhance best practice, identify how we can further assist our unions, ensure our young players are appropriately educated on the regulation."
World Rugby will also oversee match official appointments at all stages of future Rugby World Cup qualifiers, after a Romanian referee took charge of Spain's controversial defeat by Belgium, which originally qualified Romania for the World Cup.
Spain's controversial defeat by Belgium in March originally meant Romania advanced to the World Cup. Photo: AFP
