Spain’s place in the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been taken away after World Rugby determined that they used an ineligible player during qualification.

In March, the team qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 24 years, but Romania will now take their place in Pool B.

Spain has been eliminated from the World Cup for the second time in a row due to the same offence.

They have another 14 days to appeal the judgment.

Portugal is now in a position to qualify for the World Cup after a 10-point penalty was levied to Spain in the European qualification round.

While Romania will automatically progress in lieu of Spain, Portugal will have to compete in a final qualification round in November to ensure their berth.

Romania’s previous appearance at the World Cup was in 2015, whereas Portugal’s lone appearance was in 2007.

Spain was fined £25,000 and will now have to pay a £50,000 suspended fine for a previous eligibility violation during the 2019 World Cup qualifying process.

Scotland, Ireland, and South Africa are the other teams in Pool B, along with an unknown Asia-Pacific qualifier.