Belgium’s Black Devils have announced their 31-man lineup for next month’s Rugby World Cup Repechage tournament in Dubai , their final chance to book a historic first-ever appearance at the global showpiece set for 2027 in Australia.
Head coach Laurent Dossat has opted for consistency, sticking with a familiar core heavily drawn from the French leagues. Of the 31 players selected, only three are based in Belgium, all representing the Brussels Devils in the Rugby Europe Super Cup.
Star utility back Matias Remue headlines the group as the sole Top 14 player, expected to play a key role at either fly-half or fullback. He is joined by experienced campaigners from France’s Pro D2, including vice-captain Jean-Maurice Decubber and long-serving stalwarts Maxime Jadot, Julien Berger, and skipper Jens Torfs.
The squad does have some notable changes. Dynamic loose forward Thomas De Molder is unavailable, while veteran hooker Alexis Cuffolo misses out. Vincent Tauzia, Timothé Rifon, and Lucas Michiels return after missing earlier internationals, and there’s one exciting newcomer, former Cornish Pirates back Robin Wedlake, who qualifies for Belgium through his father.
Belgium will open their campaign against Namibia on November 8, before facing Brazil on November 13, and concluding against Samoa on November 18. Samoa, the top-ranked side in the tournament, will pose the toughest test for the world No. 22 Belgians.
Squad List
Forwards: Charlesty Berguet, Basile van Parys, Bruno Vliegen, Alexandre Raynier, Vincent Tauzia, Jean-Baptiste de Clerq, Maxime Jadot, Seppe Verelst, Gillian Benoy, Maurice Fromont, Maximilien Hendrickx, Jérémie Brasseur, Toon Deceuninck, Jean-Maurice Decubber, Felipe Geraghty, Lucas Rassinfosse, William van Bost
Backs: Julien Berger, Isaac Montoisy, Timothé Rifon, Hugo de Francq, Matias Remue, Florian Remue, Jens Torfs, Maxime Vacquier, Robin Wedlake, Dazzy Cornez, Lucas Michiels, Ervin Muric, Siméon Soenen, Thomas Wallraf
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