Denmark have finished second in Rugby Europe Conference 2 North behind champions Finland after a 22-10 win away to Norway.
In bright, sunny conditions in Stavanger, Denmark raced into an early 10-0 lead but a determined performance from Norway ensured the match remained competitive until the end.
It was Denmark’s eighth win in a row over Norway and their second of the competition following a 25-10 win over Andorra in October.
Denmark move up four places to 73rd in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings powered by Capgemini as a result of their latest victory, while Norway end the campaign bottom of the standings and at an-time rankings low of 102nd.
The two other Rugby Europe matches this weekend took place in the southern Conferences with wins for Cyprus and Montenegro, neither of whom are ranked because they are not full member unions of World Rugby.
Bulgaria went into the match with Cyprus – the first between the teams since 2014 – only needing to draw to overhaul Israel at the top of the Conference 1 South table but came up a long way short in Nicosia, losing 35-17.
Meanwhile, Montenegro condemned Turkey to bottom place in the Conference 2 South standings with a 26-24 win at the Madžarica Stadium in Bar.
Photo credit: Daniel Storch