In the last game of the regular season, Luxembourg showed that they are worthy of a higher challenge with a performance that highlighted the talent available within the team, as they dismantled Slovenia 84-7.

The game started as it was to continue with Luxembourg applying early pressure seeing the boys in red dominating possession and dictating the pace of the game. Luxembourg finding themselves with a scrum on the opposing team's 5 metres, a well worked set piece play ended in Joss Gaspalou dotting the ball down and Luxembourg taking an early lead.

Slovenia replied by upping the intensity and pushing into Luxembourg’s territory but the Lions defence was up to the challenge. Regaining control of the ball after the Slovenes couldn't find touch from a penalty with young winger Fitzpatrick beating a couple of players and offloading to keep the ball alive.

The ball was spread quickly to the opposite wing and Zanetti scored in the corner. Still with their spirits held high the Slovenians once again found themselves in the opposing 22, taking a quick penalty and scoring next to the posts. The score after 20 minutes: 12-7 and it seemed we may have a game on our hands.

However, Luxembourg had different ideas, immediately setting up camp in Slovenia's half. From a lineout, Tomasetto bulldozed his way through the heart of the defence enabling quick ball to be spread to Fintan Lawlor who goosestepped his way over the try line. Once they regathered the ball from the resulting kick off, the Luxembourg team displayed a gulf in class.

A brilliant team try with all players being involved, phase after phase they made their way up the pitch showcasing why they are too good for this division. An abundance of offloads, making the Stade de Luxembourg pitch as wide as possible for the Slovenians to defend, seeing Gaspalou forcing his way over from 5 metres.

From here on it was smooth sailing, Luxembourg looked like scoring every time they were in possession of the ball and it seemed that was the case for the rest of the first half. Tries from Carroll, Olsen and Zanetti saw the team stretch their lead to 43-7 before the break. An excellent first half performance by all, in attack and defence as well as complete domination of set-pieces.

Continuing in a similar vein, Benedetti's men came out firing on all cylinders. Once again scoring from an initial lineout, with Lawlor spotting a gap in the onrushing defence and attacking it. Then spreading the ball out wide where captain Olsen broke the line but was stopped at the last hurdle by a tremendous tackle.

Undeterred, Guillaume Thevenot then crashed his way through three defenders to score his first try for Luxembourg. They showed no sign of slowing down as three minutes later, Lawlor once again found himself in space and expertly dummied a defender to then draw in the full back and popped the ball to fellow youngster Noe Tropiano to score.

The game also saw a more emotional side as the ever present Stephan Schaap said farewell to his Luxembourg playing career, after a successful seven year period in the squad. He was met with a well deserved cheer from the home crowd as he left the pitch. A true warrior, hanging up his boots.

With no time to dwell on the situation, the boys continued their relentless attack on the Slovenian defence. The excellent Tropiano intercepted a ball, made good ground, and offloaded, with the ball passing through the hands of the Luxembourg attack and finishing with Olsen scoring.

The score now at 62-7 and from the resulting kick off, the ball was given to Ruben Albstmeijer who broke the defensive line from his own 22 and was tantalisingly close to scoring himself but was stopped just short of the line. Where Luca Zanetti was able to profit and score his hat trick.

The players that came on from the bench were also keen to get involved in the action as Matteo Franzina and Hugo Bertani played key roles in unlocking the defence on multiple occasions, highlighting the strength in depth that Luxembourg possessed. Captain Christian Olsen was able to score to get his hat trick, capping off a performance to be proud of.

The final score of 84-7 was justified and the team moves forward with good momentum into the crucial game for promotion against either Moldova or Bulgaria in May.

Come down and support the team where it is set to be a thriller at the Josy Barthel stadium.