Monaco’s under-18 rugby team has secured a historic place in the Rugby Europe Championship, earning promotion to the continent’s top division for the first time after an impressive campaign in Budapest…
The decisive moment came with a commanding 26-7 victory over Israel in the semi-finals, a result that guaranteed promotion while also booking the young Monegasques a place in the tournament final. Built on aggressive defence and disciplined attacking play, the performance capped another remarkable year for a federation that continues to exceed expectations on the European stage.
The achievement follows the senior national team’s fourth-place finish in this year’s Rugby Europe Championship, underlining the rapid progress being made across Monaco’s rugby programme.
Speaking after the match, players praised the squad’s intensity from the opening whistle and highlighted the influence of senior international Dorian Dantesse, whose experience at the highest level has helped guide the younger players through the competition. They also said his presence is helping build a stronger pathway between the under-18s and the senior squad.
The tournament final was postponed after severe thunderstorms swept across Budapest, with organisers delaying the remaining matches on safety grounds. Regardless of the final result, Monaco’s promotion marks a milestone for one of Europe’s smallest sporting nations.
Image: Monaco Info