2003 European Nations Cup
# 2003 European Nations Cup

The European Nations Cup returned in 2003, being the first tournament since England last won it in 1996. The last European Nations Cup held, in 1996, followed traditional structures presented from previous tournaments, involving just three nations, England, France and Wales, all teams only playing each other once.

The 2003 tournament saw a revised structure, with Ireland, Scotland and Russia all joining. The new structure formed the basis of two groups of three, each nation playing a total of two games, where the winner of each group meets in a final.

Pre-tournament favourites England easily won the final against France.

## Group 1

### Results

* 26 October

| Scotland | 22 – 24 | Ireland |
| - | - | - |

* Old Anniesland, Glasgow Attendance: 1,123 Referee: Thierry Alibert
* 1 November

| Ireland | 18 – 26 | France |
| - | - | - |

* Dalymount Park, Dublin Attendance: 1,082 Referee: Richard Silverwood
* 9 November

| France | 6 – 8 | Scotland |
| - | - | - |

* Parc des Sports, Avignon Attendance: 2,200 Referee: Richard Silverwood

### Final standings

| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| France | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 32 | 26 | +6 | 2 |
| Scotland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 2 |
| Ireland | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 42 | 48 | −6 | 2 |

France advanced to the final on points differential.

## Group 2

### Results

* 26 October

| Wales | 74 – 4 | Russia |
| - | - | - |

* Talbot Athletic Ground, Port Talbot Attendance: 1,082 Referee: Glen Black
* 2 November

| England | 102 – 0 | Russia |
| - | - | - |

* Odsal Stadium, Bradford Attendance: 1,376 Referee: Richard Silverwood
* 9 November

| England | 22 – 4 | Wales |
| - | - | - |

* Headingley, Leeds Attendance: 2,124 Referee: Thierry Alibert

### Final standings

| Team | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| England | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 124 | 4 | +120 | 4 |
| Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 78 | 26 | +52 | 2 |
| Russia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 176 | −172 | 0 |

England advanced to the final.

## Final

* 16 November

| England | 68 – 6 | France |
| - | - | - |
| Tries: Mark Calderwood (4) Rob Burrow (2) Gareth Hock Martin Aspinwall Ade Gardner Andy Lynch Rob Parker Goals: Danny Tickle (9) Jamie Rooney (1) | report | Tries: Teddy Sadaoui Goals: Laurent Frayssinous (1) |

* Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington Attendance: 2,536 Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick
