Rugby union in Portugal is a very prevalent sport, though still a long distance from association football.

The sport is essentially amateur in Portugal, with some professionalisation in its top flight league and the national rugby union team.

The Anglo-Portuguese playing pool at this point had been severely depleted by the First World War, and the local population began to become involved.

[1][2] Portuguese rugby had once again been set back by the effects of another world war, but it was still dominated by students and ex-students.

The shortage of facilities was partly remedied,[1] and a proper youth recruitment programme put in place.

There are now multiple clubs in each major city and the number of both players and viewers have significantly increased making Rugby the second most popular sport in Portugal.

Samuel Marques kicked an overtime penalty that would see "Os Lobos" win that qualification group on points difference.

In the tournament, open side João Uva and outside half Duarte Cardoso Pinto were noted as particularly outstanding players.

They were surprise winners of the 2003-4 European Nations Cup and have continued to record impressive results as they have now officially qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup after winning the Repechage Tournament for the final spot in the competition, beating teams such as Spain, Russia, Romania, Hong Kong and drawing with Georgia and The United States in the process.

They lost core team status a year later, but regained it for the 2012–13 series in a qualifying tournament held as part of the 2012 Hong Kong Sevens.