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2003 (2003) European Nations Cup ()
2003 European Nations Cup
Number of teams	6
Winner	England (13th title)
Matches played	7
	Tournaments < 1996 2004 >

The European Nations Cup returned in 2003, being the first tournament since England last won it in 1996. The last European Nations Cup held, in 1996, followed traditional structures presented from previous tournaments, involving just three nations, England, France and Wales, all teams only playing each other once.

The 2003 tournament saw a revised structure, with Ireland, Scotland and Russia all joining.^[1] The new structure formed the basis of two groups of three, each nation playing a total of two games, where the winner of each group meets in a final.

Pre-tournament favourites England easily won the final against France.

Group 1

Results

26 October

Scotland	22 – 24 ^[2]	Ireland

Old Anniesland, Glasgow
Attendance: 1,123
Referee: Thierry Alibert

1 November

Ireland	18 – 26 ^[2]	France

Dalymount Park, Dublin
Attendance: 1,082
Referee: Richard Silverwood

9 November

France	6 – 8	Scotland

Parc des Sports, Avignon
Attendance: 2,200
Referee: Richard Silverwood

^[3]

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Points
France	2	1	1	32	26	+6	2
Scotland	2	1	1	30	30	0	2
Ireland	2	1	1	42	48	−6	2

France advanced to the final on points differential.

Group 2

Results

26 October

Wales	74 – 4	Russia

Talbot Athletic Ground, Port Talbot
Attendance: 1,082
Referee: Glen Black

2 November

England	102 – 0	Russia

Odsal Stadium, Bradford
Attendance: 1,376
Referee: Richard Silverwood

^[3]

9 November

England	22 – 4	Wales

Headingley, Leeds
Attendance: 2,124
Referee: Thierry Alibert

Final standings

Team	Played	Won	Lost	For	Against	Diff	Points
England	2	2	0	124	4	+120	4
Wales	2	1	1	78	26	+52	2
Russia	2	0	2	4	176	−172	0

England advanced to the final.

Final

16 November

England	68 – 6	France
Tries: Mark Calderwood (4) Rob Burrow (2) Gareth Hock Martin Aspinwall Ade Gardner Andy Lynch Rob Parker Goals: Danny Tickle (9) Jamie Rooney (1)	report	Tries: Teddy Sadaoui Goals: Laurent Frayssinous (1)