As the Rugby Europe Championship 2026 kicks off, much of the attention has fallen — once again — on the traditional heavyweights. But look a little closer at the wider context, and one side stands out as the most dangerous under-the-radar contender in the competition.
As the Rugby Europe Championship 2026 kicks off, much of the attention has fallen — once again — on the traditional heavyweights. But look a little closer at the wider context, and one side stands out as the most dangerous under-the-radar contender in the competition.
The Belgium arrive at this Championship with something many of their rivals lack: clarity of purpose.
While nations such as Romania and Portugal are deep in rebuild mode with eyes already drifting toward Rugby World Cup 2027, Belgium are focused firmly on the here and now.
And that may be the decisive difference.
Belgium’s performances in the World Cup qualification tournament left a lasting impression — not just on opponents, but within the squad itself.
The Black Devils came agonisingly close to forcing their way into the global qualification picture, playing with an edge, belief and intensity that caught several established sides off guard. That campaign did more than raise Belgium’s profile — it changed their self-perception.
This is a group that believes it should already be competing at the next level.
That sense of unfinished business is a powerful motivator heading into REC 2026.
REC 2026 may be one of the most open editions in recent memory — not because the top teams are weaker, but because many are looking beyond it.
Romania are still wrestling with a disrupted rebuild and long injury lists
Portugal continue to juggle rediscovering their RWC 2023 form and long-term planning
Belgium, by contrast, are not burdened by qualification already secured, nor by the need to protect players for 2027.
They are free to attack this tournament properly.
Belgium are not immune to the realities of modern European rugby. French club commitments will restrict their options early in the tournament — most notably the absence of Matias Remue.
Remue was central to Belgium’s RWC qualification attempt, at times almost single-handedly dragging the Black Devils into contention with his control, tempo and game-breaking ability. His unavailability at the start of the Championship is a blow — there’s no dressing that up.
But crucially, Belgium hwill be looking to secure depth and structure around him.
This is not a one-man team but having a player like that available all the time could take Belgium to the next level.
Belgium’s REC squad reflects a group that knows exactly who it is.
There’s:
Continuity across the pack
A settled spine of decision-makers
Physical forwards capable of slowing down more fancied opponents
Backs who have already proven they can execute under pressure
Importantly, many of these players have grown together through qualification campaigns, rather than being assembled briefly for Championship windows.
That cohesion matters.
Belgium’s squad for the opening fixture at Stade Tondreau, Mons includes:
Julien Berger, Charlesty Berguet, Jérémie Brasseur, Dazzy Cornez, Goran De Clercq, Jean-Baptiste De Clercq, Hugo De Francq, Dries De Keyser, Lindberg John Ekendahl, Guillem Fernandez Grau, Clément Flambart, Felipe Geraghty, Maximilien Hendrickx, Maxime Jadot, Isaac Montoisy, Ervin Muric, Lucas Rassinfosse, Alexandre Raynier, Florian Remue, Timothé Rifon, Benjamin Ruddick, Arno Smets, Siméon Soenen, Vincent Tauzia, David Upton, Maxime Vacquier, Flor Van den Bussche, William Van Bost, Basile Van Parys, Bruno Vliegen, Thomas Wallraff.
It’s a group that may not dominate headlines — but won’t fear any opponent in the competition.
Belgium tick several boxes that define a classic REC dark horse:
Momentum from qualification performances
A clear competitive window now, not in 2027
Tactical discipline and physical resilience
Nothing to protect — and everything to prove
While others rotate, experiment or manage workloads, Belgium will treat every fixture as an opportunity to take scalps.
Belgium may not arrive at REC 2026 as favourites — but they arrive as one of the most dangerous sides in the draw.
With Romania and Portugal distracted by rebuilds, Spain managing availability, and Georgia operating in a different competitive tier but under new management, the door is open for a side brave enough to step through it.
The Black Devils are angry.
They are organised.
And they still believe they should have been at the World Cup.
That combination makes them the true dark horse of REC 2026.