Russia qualify for 2019 Rugby World Cup after Romania, Belgium and Spain sanctioned for ineligible players

Romania were booted out of the Rugby World Cup while Spain lost their play-off spot after both were docked points along with Belgium due to World Rugby sanctions

Romania, Spain and Belgium were sanctioned for fielding ineligible players, meaning Russia qualify for the World Cup (Getty)

Russia have qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup after Romania - who had initially secured the slot - Spain and Belgium were docked points for repeatedly using ineligible players during the qualifying competition, World Rugby said on Tuesday.

After a "remodelling" of the qualification process, Russia emerged top to advance to next year's tournament in Japan. It will be their second appearance following 2011 in New Zealand when they lost all four pool games.

Germany, who have never been in a World Cup, now have another chance as they are promoted to face Portugal in a play-off, though the winners face a daunting final step with a two-legged play-off against Samoa.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for Japan 2019 in Pool A, alongside the hosts, Ireland, Scotland and Russia. The loser will still have a chance of progress via the Repechage competition in November.

Tuesday's announcement is the latest twist to a complicated and controversial series of matches as, following an investigation by the independent Judicial and Disputes committee, the three nations were docked five match points for each ineligible player used.

Belgium were found to have fielded five ineligible players and were docked 30 points along with a suspended fine of £125,000.

Spain used Mathieu Belie and Bastien Fuster, who have both previously played for France Under-20s, in eight qualification matches, leading to a 40-point deduction and a £50,000 suspended fine.

Romania had only one ineligible player, Sione Faka'osilea, who previously played for Tonga Sevens. They were given a £100,000 suspended fine and their 30 docked points overturned their World Cup qualification.

All the decisions are subject to appeal within 14 days and Romania said they would seek to overturn the committee's ruling.

"The Romanian Rugby Federation (FFR) cannot accept a decision in which teams that knowingly violate regulations or ignorance are treated identically to those who comply with all procedural steps required," the FFR said in a statement.

"Participation in the World Cup must not be concluded by such a decision."

Spain requested their game with Belgium be replayed due to Romanian referee Vlad Iordachescu (Getty)

Spain's initial appeal to replay their match against Belgium, when a Romanian referee was in charge and Spain's shock defeat sent Romania through at their expense, was rejected, despite the sport's governing body supporting it.

"Having considered all the evidence, including submissions from World Rugby, Rugby Europe, Spain and Belgium, the independent committee refused the request made by World Rugby and Spain to set aside the result of the match and determined that the match should not be replayed," the committee said in a statement.

Romania have been booted out of the Rugby World Cup after being docked points for ineligible players (Getty)

In reference to the entire investigation, the committee added: "Although mistakes were made by Rugby Europe and participating unions, they had not acted in bad faith. The committee also recommended that World Rugby re-emphasise the importance and sanctity of Regulation 8 (eligibility) and any other steps that will prevent a repeat of these circumstances."

The Spanish Rugby Federation said they were very disappointed by the decisions, having sought clearance for Belie and Fuster from their French counterparts, and were considering an appeal.

"It should be recognised that the (eligibility) rule is confusing and World Rugby should have created a procedure and created a system to avoid these type of undesirable situations from happening," the federation said in a statement.

Russia have only reached the Rugby World Cup once before in 2011 (Getty)

The Russian Rugby Federation, however, said the sanctions were fair.

"I am very glad that our arguments were heard because the federations of Romania, Belgium and Spain committed grave violations of the regulations, allowing these players (to take part in the qualifiers)," the federation's deputy chairman Kirill Yashenkov said.

Eligibility for international rugby is a notoriously complicated affair, with countries often nominating their own choice of "capture" level team that ensures a player cannot then switch nationalities.

Recognising this, the independent committee added in its report: "World Rugby might want to consider whether to maintain a database showing players who have been captured by Unions."

Reuters