"We are here to stay"
Switzerland’s men's national team delivers a campaign of growth, resilience and rising momentum in the Rugby Europe Championship 2026.
Edelweiss XV confirm progress with strong 6th place finish in REC 2026
Switzerland’s national team delivers a campaign of growth, resilience and rising momentum—on the pitch and in the stands.
Switzerland’s 2026 campaign in the Rugby Europe Championship marked a significant step forward for the Edelweiss XV, underlining both sporting progress and the continued growth of rugby in Switzerland.
Led by captain Jules Porcher and vice-captain Samuel Sjoberg, the team showed clear improvement compared to the 2025 edition. Increased consistency, better game management, and stronger attacking phases were evident throughout the competition, reflecting the work done across the entire programme.
Placed in Pool A alongside Georgia, Spain and the Netherlands, Switzerland faced some of Europe’s strongest opposition. The team opened their campaign against Georgia (3:54) before taking on Spain (14:53). A key highlight followed at home with a convincing 29:23 win over the Netherlands—an important result that demonstrated Switzerland’s ability to compete and deliver under pressure.
Beyond the results, the organisation of three home matches at the Stade Municipal in Yverdon-les-Bains was a major success. All fixtures were played in front of full stands, confirming the growing interest and engagement around Swiss rugby and providing the team with strong support on home soil.
In the ranking phase, Switzerland delivered one of their strongest performances of the campaign, defeating Germany 35:25 in the ranking semi-final. This win secured their place in the Rugby Europe Championship for the 2027 season and confirmed their progress within the competition.
The campaign concluded at the Madrid Finals on March 15, where Switzerland faced Belgium in the match for 5th place (16:39), finishing the tournament in 6th position overall.
This result, combined with the performances throughout the competition, highlights the upward trajectory of Swiss rugby. Compared to REC 2025, the Edelweiss XV has made tangible progress across all areas of the game—and their place secured in the top division for 2027 confirms that Swiss rugby is firmly on the rise.
Congratulations to the all players and their supporter for this historic achievement.
Photocredit: Neil Dodd (doddsiephoto.ch)