The 2014–16 European Nations Cup First Division is the premier rugby union competition below the Six Nations Championship in Europe. It is divided into two tiers; Division 1A and Division 1B.
The divisions play on a two-year cycle with the teams playing each other both home and away. From 2009 onward, the title is awarded according to a one-year ranking.
The competition has been slightly altered for the 2014–16 edition. The top tier Division 1A has seen the relegation of Belgium to Division 1B. They have been replaced with Germany, who finished at the top of Division 1B in the 2012–14 season. The bottom tier division 1B has seen the relegation of the Czech Republic to the European Nations Cup Second Division. They have been replaced by Netherlands who won promotion from Division 2A.
The champions of Division 1B will be promoted to Division 1A for the 2017–18 season, while the last placed team in each division will be relegated.
Format Table points are determined as follows:FIRA-AER – New bonus point system FIRA-AER website, published: 15 November 2010, accessed: 15 February 2011 4 points for a win 2 points for a draw 0 point for a loss 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries in a match 1 bonus point for losing by 7 points or fewer
Division 1A 2015 Table
+ Key2015 champions
Place Nation Games Points Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus For Against Diff1 (14)5500115842+116212 (17)5302310261+41153 (21)5302213199+32144 (19)53021103119−16135 (22)5104152100−4856 (25)5005161186−1251 Pre-tournament World Rugby Rankings in parentheses
Games
2016 Table Place Nation Games Points Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus For Against Diff1 (12)5500418833+155242 (16)5401316077+83193 (18)53021128115+13144 (22)511338488−495 (23)5113184193−10976 (30)5005172210−1381
Games
Combined table (2015–2016)
Place Nation Games Points Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost Bonus For Against Diff1 (12)101000534675+271452 (16)107036262138+124343 (18)106043231234−3274 (22)104155232207+28235 (23)101182162396−23486 (30)101092124310−1966
Note: Portugal is relegated to 2016–17 Rugby Europe Trophy.
Division 1B
2014–15 Table 2014–15 champions
Place Nation Games Points Bonuspoints Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff1 (30)550018978+1112222 (29)530215883+754163 (32)530210881+271134 (31)52038174+73115 (35)5203103146−432106 (44)500549226−17700 Pre-tournament IRB rankings in parentheses (as at 1 September 2014)
Games
2015–16 Table
Place Nation Games Points Bonuspoints Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff1 (31)550013684+303232 (26)540112765+623193 (32)52038784+33114 (33)5203113123−101115 (36)520388116−28086 (49)500571150−7911 Pre-tournament World Rugby rankings in parentheses (as at 1 September 2015)
Games
Combined table (2014–2016) Place Nation Games Points Bonuspoints Tablepoints Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Diff1 (30)10901316143+1735412 (32)10802244165+794363 (29)10505245167+787274 (31)10406194197−36225 (35)10406191262−712186 (44)100010120376−25611
Promotion to 2017 Rugby Europe Championship Relegation to 2016–17 Rugby Europe Conference
Pre-tournament IRB rankings in parentheses (as at 1 September 2014)
See also European Nations Cup (rugby union) FIRA - Association of European Rugby Six Nations Championship Antim Cup
References
External links FIRA-AER official website