The 2002–2004 European Nations Cup was the fourth edition of the newly reformed European Championship for tier 2 & 3 Rugby Union Nations. This was the second two-year cycled championship, the first to be planned from the start.
The Third division had a controversy development. The team were divided into three groups according to the ranking of previous edition to play, but there were several problems: In pool "A" Andorra withdrew and only four teams remained. In pool "C" Monaco were banned after the match with Finland, because of the presence of a French player that was not eligible to play for Monaco. Again in pool "C" the match between Bulgaria and Norway was annulled because the designed referee wasn't able to arrive in Sofia and was substituted by another referee, called by the Bulgarian federation.
So the European federation decided to change from a two-years formula to a one-year formula again, considering the two matches played in Pool "C" as friendlies and turning the Pool into a short knock-out tournament held in Ibiza, Spain. Furthermore, the winners of Pools B and C were promoted, respectively, to Pools A and B for the 2003–04 edition. No promotions from Pool A to Second division were awarded, nor relegations to lower Pools.
Pool A The highest level was the Pool "A", with five teams: relegated from second division
promoted from Group B (retired from competition)
Table
Place Nation Games Points Tablepoints played won drawn lost for against difference1 3 3 0 0 98 23+75 92 3 1 1 1 64 71 −7 63 3 1 0 2 63 96 −33 54 3 0 1 2 58 93 −35 4
Results
Pool B The middle level was the Pool "B", with five teams: relegated from pool "A"
promoted from pool "C"
Table
Place Nation Games Points Tablepoints played won drawn lost for against difference1 4400101 54 +47122 4301147 53 +94103 4202 58113 −5584 4103 65 88 −2365 4004 40103 −634 promoted to Pool A
Results
Pool C "No official" match :
Semifinals
Third place final
First place final
promoted to Pool B
See also 2003–2004 European Nations Cup First Division 2002–2004 European Nations Cup Second Division 2003–2004 European Nations Cup Third Division
Sources
www.irb.com