How the sun keeps shining for Spain
IT'S been an outstanding summer for Spain… and the good news keeps coming. Last month Los Leones embarked on a first-ever tour of the Pacific and recorded an historic 29-20 win over Tonga in Nuku'alofa, not to mention a narrow 34-30 defeat against Samoa in Apia the previous week.
And that was followed by Spain U20 making a good impression on their debut at the Junior World Cup in South Africa where they battled hard to successfully avoid relegation, beating Fiji in extra-time in their must-win play-off game.
Now comes encouraging news for this autumn when they face an eclectic fixture list with home Tests against Uruguay, Fiji and the United States which should help us get a decent idea of where they stand in world terms as they eye up the Rugby Europe Championship in 2025 and the start of the qualification process for RWC2027.
First, it appears that Toulouse's hugely impressive young prop Joe Merkler – one of the coming stars in the Top 14 – might be available again up front while Spanish-born and developed utility back Samu Ezeala, a former Spain U18 standout, has finally decided to stop chasing a French cap and thrown his lot in with the land of his birth. Merkler, still only 22, has been making a terrific impression at Toulouse since joining them from junior Spanish Club de Rugby Sant Cugat as a teenager. An athletic ball handling 6ft 4in and 20 stone, the young giant was involved in 24 games last season, mainly as an impact player off the bench, not least in the Champions Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He has already won seven senior caps with Spain, making his debut in a famous 32-20 win over Uruguay in Montevideo in 2021, but by mutual agreement between country and club has been getting his head down and maximising his involvement at Toulouse over the last two seasons.
Toulouse, who would have looked to him to cover for their French international contingent in the autumn, have nonetheless indicated they are happy for the Merkler to play at least one November Test this time round. Spain will also be hoping to negotiate a few appearances when the Rugby Europe tournament starts in February, the beginning of a two-year odyssey for World Cup qualification.
Of course Spain could get heavy, invoke World Rugby regs, and insist he be available for all Tests within the World Rugby windows, but that's simply not how it works. Merkler's presence at Toulouse is of immense value for Spain who are happy to see perhaps their greatest playing asset continue to learn his trade with the very best.
Toulouse is also home to three of Spain's best U20 players – Lucien Richardis, Pelayo Serrano and Hugo Pichardie – and new Spain coach Simon Mannix is keen to nurture and expand that invaluable link. In the long run it will be of immense value to Spain. Don't upset the apple cart must be the approach.
Ezeala, currently playing with Pau, is an interesting one. A strong, very athletic wing who some critics were comparing with Teddy Thomas, he looked a possible contender for French honours early on at Clermont before struck down with a serious knee injuries
He made a tentative comeback with Pau last season and is hoping for much more rugby this season. The boat has sailed in terms of French representation but he is a dangerous weapon on the wing, still only 24, ambitious and has impeccable Spanish qualifications. Which will be a relief seeing Spain have managed to get themselves disqualified the last two World Cup finals by virtue of fielding an ineligible player in qualifying games.
