Europe’s “Emerging Nations” gather in Hungary

The ENTC - now in its eighth year - is a unique four-day event, held over the Easter weekend, which brings together players and officials from second and third level countries across Europe. Much more than a simple sevens tournament, the weekend aims to close the gap between Europe's "Top 10" nations and the A and B Divisions, and provides three days of training and advice sessions for coaches, referees and players from Europe's smaller rugby nations, leading up to an international tournament on the final day - a vital warm-up for European Championships later in the spring, with many national coaches using the weekend to select their squads.

Sessions are lead by some of the leading players and coaches in Europe, including this year players and coaches such as Ivan Torpey, Clare Daniels, La Toya Mason, Tam Taylor and Maggie Alphonsi, and England women's assistant coach Graham Smith - courses that it would often be impossible for individual unions to organise on their own. Coaches and referees can also qualify for various IRB certificates.

Adult squads at Zanka representing Austria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Luxembourg, Slovenia and Romania are taking part this year. U18 squads from the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, and Romania are also attending and they had their own tournament today - giving coaches and referees a chance to put into action the skills and ideas learnt on Thursday and Friday, with their tutors on hand to give extra advice and feedback. And tomorrow it will be the turn of the adult squads.

The Camp is organised by the Austrian RFU, but had never taken place in Austria. In the early days the organisers had to hunt for venues, but now the popularity of theENTC is such that several countries put in bids to host the event -including Malta, Poland and Bulgaria. However this year, and formost of its history, theweekend has takenplace at the Zanka New Generation Centre -a modern purpose-built sports and leisure complex on the shores of Lake Balaton, with a sports stadium in addition to two other sports fields, and indoor training facilities.

Today's international U18 tournament was won by Romania, with a combined Czech/Croatian team second, Hungary third, and Austria fourth.