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Well if you could ever make a Semi Final more important, then make it an Iberian Derby! These two teams are both on the upward trajectory in rugby, and both have a very similar style of play to boot. With what now looks like it will be a rainy afternoon in Jamor, will that be the equaliser to negate both teams expansive rugby styles?
Portugal have been guilty of switching off on a number of occassions in this tournament, but usually when they are clear and the game is done. Spain have had a number of issues in defence, especially around the ruck and ill discipline hampered their chances against a ill disciplined Georgia team too.
Portugal come into this game with 3 wins, where as, Spain only defeat came to the likely victors, Georgia. With RWC qualification secured, both teams will be able to throw the kitchen sink at getting through to a REC Final now.
Portugal make a few changes for this game. Santiago Lopes starts at hooker in what looks to be a injury forced change when Luka Begic went off in the Romania game. Will that weaken the Portugues line out attack with a stalwart like Begic missing? Joao Granate returns at 8, with Baptista giving the option for an impact off the bench in the latter parts of the game. Its all change at 9 & 10 with Hugo Camacho back in to look for sniping opportunities around the rucks. Manuel Vareiro takes over at 10, with the mission statemet to not waste so many points from the tee.
A strong Portuguese side with only 1 question mark for me at hooker.
Portugal Starting XV (1-15) David da Costa, Pedro Lopes, Diogo Ferreira, Jose Madeira, Jose de Andrade, Diego Pinheiro Ruiz, Nicolas Martins, Joao Granate, Hugo Camacho, Manuel Vareiro, Diogo Rodrigues, Tomas Appleton, Jose Lima, Raffaele Storti, Simao Bento
Portugal Replacements (16-23) Abel da Cunha, Nuno Mascarenhas, Jose Lavos, Antonio Andrade, Vasco Baptista, Francisco Pinto Magalhaes, Hugo Aubry, Gabriel Aviragnet
Spain have also a few players coming in to replace injuries from the Georgian battle! Pablo Miejimolle comes in as replacement hooker after Santiago Ovejero went off injured 2 weeks ago. Matt Foulds moves into the row, with Mario Pichardie back in at 6 and Mateo Triki moves across to 7. Tani Bay starts again at 9, with his electric play in the similar format of Hugo Camacho on the opposite side. A heavily rotated bench also gives fresh legs after a tough battle against the Georgians. Spain will be looking to shore up the defensive weaknesses they have encountered this tournament but their attacking play has been top drawer to counter act the issues.
Spain looking pretty strong here, and looking to target a Portuguese team that hasn’t really had a proper test this tournament.
Spain Starting XV (1-15) Titi Futeu, Alvaro Garcia Albo, Joaquin Dominguez, Manex Ariceta, Matthew Foulds, Mario Pichardi, Mathéo Triki, Raphael Nieto, Estanislao Bay, Gonzalo Vinuesa, Gauthier Minguillon, Gonzalo Lopez Bontempo, Inaki Mateu, Martiniano Cian, Federico Casteglioni
Spain Replacements (16-23) Pablo Miejimolle Ligero, Raul Calzon, Lucas Santamaria, Ignacio Piñeiro, Vicente Boronat, Facundo Munilla lo Duca, Nicolas Nieto, Alberto Carmona
I can actually see Spain taking this by 10 points or so. Portugal have not had a proper test, and both teams will be looking to score tries from kick off. This will be a high scoring game hopefully but think Spain come out on top.
