The qualification process did not include the remaining three divisions in the Rugby Europe system that are typically included across play-off matches due to the time scale restraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This later resulted in the cancelled games being declared a walkover and the opposition of Russia would be given 4 points.
However, on 28 March, it was announced Spain would be investigated for fielding an ineligible player, the South Africa-born Gavin Van Den Berg, in two World Cup qualifying matches against the Netherlands.
[3] On 28 April 2022, an independent judicial committee determined that Spain did breach the regulation, and deducted 10 points from the table.
[4] This resulted in Spain dropping out of the top three qualifying/play-off places meaning Romania qualified as Europe 2 and Portugal would proceed to the play-offs.