Hosts Spain and the Netherlands scored 131 unanswered points between them on the first match day of the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship in Madrid, where the leading European women’s teams outside of the Six Nations are competing to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017.

The championship, which runs from 6-15 October, is split into two pools of three with the winner of each pool advancing to the final. Spain, Belgium and the Czech Republic are in Pool A, while Pool B is made up of Russia, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

The overall winner will take on Scotland over two legs to decide the continent's final place in Dublin next year.

ROUND 1: Wins for Spain and the Netherlands

In Pool A the pre-tournament favourites Spain emphatically beat defending champions Belgium 76-0, six years after defeating them 66-0 in Metz, France.

The impressive Bárbara Plá crossed for the first score early on and was followed over the try line by Patricia García, Amaia Erbina, Iera Echebarría, Marina Bravo, Vanesa Rial and Isabel Rico as the Spaniards built an unassailable 56-0 half-time lead. They consolidated in the second period, scoring a further 20 points without conceding.

Meanwhile, in Pool B Netherlands were equally impressive in seeing off last year’s European Trophy finalists Switzerland 55-0.

Neither result had an impact on the World Rugby Women's Rankings. 

ROUND 2, Sunday 9 October

Russia (20) v Netherlands (15)

Netherlands won the first three fixtures between the nations, between 1998 and 2009, scoring 158 points with only five against. However, Russia recorded their first ever victory against the Dutch in the last meeting: 17-10 at the 2011 European Trophy in La Coruna, Spain.

Rankings predictor: If Russia make it two wins from two against the Dutch, they will pick up 2.26 points and move above Sweden and Germany into 18th place.

Czech Republic (48) v Spain (9)

Czech Republic go in search of their first test win having lost five and drawn one of their six previous games at this level, dating back to April 2005. This is the first women’s test between the nations.

Rankings predictor: Defeat in either of their opening two games would see Spain replaced by Wales in ninth place. Czech Republic would relegate the Philippines to 48th and last place in the rankings if they were to win on Sunday.