Ex-Munster coach Andi Kyriacou ‘couldn’t be happier’ for Portugal players after REC title success as ‘timely’ World Rugby rankings boost and World Cup hope highlighted
Portugal celebrate a stunning Rugby Europe Championship final win over Georgia in Madrid.
Portugal secured their first win over Georgia in 21 years to be crowned Rugby Europe Championship (REC) winners on Sunday in a stunning underdog performance in Madrid.
Inspired by an outstanding defence and scrum, Os Lobos came out on top 19-17 over the much-fancied Georgians, who had an iron grip on the title for close to a decade.
Not since 2017 had anyone but Georgia been in possession of the REC trophy, but Portugal proved they are one of the biggest improvers of the last 12 months to prevail.
Comeback win
Down 12-3 at the break and 17-9 at one point in the Test, Portugal found a route back into the game and a converted Vincent Pinto try on 72 minutes edged them in front.
It was then all about holding on, and once the full-time whistle sounded, jubilant celebrations followed as a first REC success for 23 years was secured by the Portuguese.
“The outpouring of emotion is all you need to see to understand that this is a group that gives it everything,” explained a proud forwards and defence coach, Andi Kyriacou.
“They are so driven to see Portugal Rugby achieve its potential on the world stage.
“Tonight was a release after some time in the wilderness – the passion and emotion they showed before, during and after the match is something that I see in them culturally that they can use to their advantage. This is a team that can consistently compete, but their passion should endear rugby fans to their journey to the World Cup. I couldn’t be happier for them!”
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That outpouring of emotion was clear to see from the players as the long wait to get their hands on this silverware and dethrone Georgia had become a mountainous task.
This ends a REC chapter that has seen an in-form Portugal beat Belgium, Germany and Romania before seeing off Iberian rivals Spain 26-7 in Lisbon in the semi-finals.
But the acid test would, of course, be Georgia, who were 15-point favourites with the bookmakers ahead of Sunday’s fixture. Portugal, though, had huge belief in their game.
“The past few months have been about embedding culture and expectations,” Kyriacou added. “Instilling positive culture and encouraging self-belief in players and each other has always been the cornerstone of how I coach and what I feel is ultimately necessary in order to achieve your objectives. The best bit is, now they see it works, they can build on this.
“It’s a wonderful group of young men and, with time, the future is bright for Portugal Rugby.”
Kyriacou, who joined Portugal’s coaching team in 2025 after winning Munster the United Rugby Championship as forwards coach in 2023, could not be prouder of the squad.
Now coaching Portugal’s defence and forwards, the 43-year-old former hooker admits the recent improvements in both facets of play have given him a great deal of pride.
Defensive resolve
“All credit to the players who have bought into the defensive system and executed it with characteristic guts and passion,” he continued.
“It is not easy to defend a team like Georgia, who are typically physically very dominant and, for the most part, whose players train and play at the highest level of European club rugby. It’s easy to be intimidated by that prefixed reputation and succumb to their game plan. However, I made our strategy as clear as possible, and I could not be prouder of the belief the players showed in the system and how well they carried out the task. They made me and, I hope, the country proud.”
Victory over Georgia moves Portugal up a further two spots in the World Rugby rankings to 14th position – one off their all-time best – which is another key objective.
“To jump up the world rankings is a timely boost for everyone involved in Portugal Rugby and, I hope, for the growth of the game,” Kyriacou beamed.
“This result is fantastic for rugby across the continent.”