After a very good summer window (where they beat Tonga and narrowly lost against Samoa), Pablo Bouza’s Lions They faced the November window with enthusiasm and desire to show that they want vplay a rugby World Cup again 28 years later of its last and only classification. The first match left good feelings after the victory at the Complutense National Stadium against Uruguay by 33-24. Then came the great rugby festival in Valladolid with the visit of Fiji to the José Zorrilla stadium and a fan zone that was difficult to forget for those attending the event.
The Oceanians beat the Spanish 19-33, but The Lions once again left a good taste in the mouththis time in defeat, for their fight until the last minute of the game and being ahead on the scoreboard for a good part of the match and against a very good Fijian team with big top names.
Now comes the time to put the finishing touch to both windows of official international matches and reach the European Championship in February with a last great victory against a very complicated rival in great form: the United States. As Titi Futeu recognized just a few days ago to Relevo: “We have the pain of the last defeat against the USA and we really want to beat them.”
The Americans arrive in 15th place in the World Rugby ranking (Spain is in 17th position) and with morale through the roof after beating Portugal away and Tonga in the previous two weeks. The Eagles will try to finish off their undefeated November with a victory against the Lions this Saturday at the Complutense National Stadium in Madrid at 12:45 p.m. (you can follow it live on Teledeporte).
The match promises passion, emotion and a great battle on the pitch of El Central in a match in which the Americans start with the favorites poster after the direct duels against Spain, the current World Rugby classification and the great state of mind and game in which they find themselves. This is the history of confrontations between both teams:
April 12, 1998 Spain 3-49 United States, El Puerto de Santa María (Friendly)
April 12, 2003 Spain 13-62 United States, Madrid (2003 World Cup Qualifier)
April 27, 2003 United States 58-13 Spain, Florida (2003 World Cup Qualifier)
November 18, 2023 Spain 12-42 United States, Villajoyosa (Test match November window)
The changes and the challenge for Spain
For his part, Pablo Bouza has introduced into the team, compared to the one that played against Fiji, some changes both in the squad and in the starting XV, which have given the Spanish team a renewed face for this Saturday in their match against the USA. We will be able to see up to eight new faces (more than half of the starting team) in the León XV.
The first line will be made up of Bernardo Vázquez, Santi Ovejero and Lucas Santamaría. Brice Ferrer and Asier Usárraga They will debut in this November sale, forming the second line together. They complete the front Ignacio Piñeiro (who will also debut as captain at only 21 years old), Alex Saleta and Raphael Nieto in the third line.
As for the three quarters, Tani Bay and Gonzalo Vinuesa will form for the first time the titular hinge in this total window, the centers will take over them Alvar Gimeno (who returns after his absence Fiji) and Alex Alonso and the back three It will be the same one that acted at the beginning against Uruguay in the same scenario: Minguillon, Cian and Carmona.
One of the things that has drawn the most attention to the fans is the Spanish bench or ‘second unit’ that will have big names in Spanish rugby and will surely give an extra push to the León XV in the second half: Vicente del Hoyo, Titi Futeu, Hugo Pirlet, Matheo Triki, Ekain Imaz, Kerman Aurrekoetxea, Gonzalo López Bontempo and Pau Aira They will wait their turn from the bench.
Gunpowder in the starting XV and gunpowder on the bench to play eighty minutes with great guarantees to compete until the last minute for the Spanish team. The XV del León faces its greatest challenge of this November window in their last match to prepare for their new World Cup assault.
**Considering the historical context of Spain’s past struggles against the USA and the importance of momentum leading into the European Championship, how significant is this upcoming match in terms of shaping both the immediate and long-term aspirations of the Lions?**
## Lions Set to Roar: An Interview on Spain’s Rugby World Cup Ambitions
This interview features Pablo Bouzas (Head Coach of Spain’s national rugby team, “Los Leones”), and Titi Futeu (Veteran player for Los Leones).
**Introduction:**
Welcome, Coach Bouzas and Titi. Spain’s ambitions for another World Cup appearance after 28 years are palpable, particularly after your strong summer window. Let’s delve deeper into this crucial period for the Lions.
**Part 1: Building Momentum - The November Window**
* Coach Bouzas, the November window has seen both a win against Uruguay and a close loss against Fiji. What are your key takeaways from these performances, considering the larger goal of World Cup preparation?
* Titi, facing Fiji, a perennial rugby powerhouse, must have been an intense experience. How did the team gear up for such a challenge, and what lessons did you take away from that battle?
* Coach Bouzas, after these two matches, what specific areas of improvement are you focusing on leading into the crucial game against the USA?
**Part 2: Facing the Eagles – A Renewed Squad**
* Coach Bouzas, you’ve made significant changes to the starting XV for the match against the USA. What strategic thinking drove these decisions?
* Titi, several new faces are stepping onto the field. What’s the atmosphere like within the squad, especially for these younger players getting their chance?
* How crucial is it for Spain to break the losing streak against the USA, particularly given their recent strong performances against Tonga and Portugal?
**Part 3: World Cup Aspirations – The Road Ahead**
* Coach Bouzas, with the European Championship in February on the horizon, how important is this match against the USA in terms of setting the tone for the coupled tournament?
* Titi, what message would you like to send to Spain’s rugby fans who are eagerly supporting the Lions on their journey towards a World Cup berth?
* what are your ultimate aspirations for both this match and for the Spanish national team’s future in Rugby?
**Interviewer Closing:**
Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights. We wish Coach Bouzas and the entire Lions squad the best of luck in their final match of the November window.
Let the roar of the Lions be heard!
