Russia claimed top spot in the European Nations Cup Division One table with a hard-fought 18-14 victory over Portugal in Lisbon.

The visitors battled to a 15-0 lead at the break and held off a spirited comeback from their rivals in the second half to maintain their challenge for the title and the Rugby World Cup 2011 passage on offer to the winners and the runners-up.

Elsewhere, Georgia opened their account with a 38-5 victory over Germany in Heidelburg while Romania also made a winning start to their campaign with a 19-10 success against Spain in Madrid.

Russia head the table with two wins out of two with Spain currently second with just one win from their three matches. Georgia and Romania are well-placed after their opening victories while Portugal's defeat in their first clash leave them bottom of the table.

The competition, that originated in 2000 and is sometimes known as Six Nations B, is the premier competition for second tier nations in Europe and this time around there is the added incentive of two automatic qualification places for the sport's showpiece event.

Split over two seasons, the title is contested by Georgia, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Russia and Spain with each nation playing each other home and away. Georgia, who also appeared at last year' Rugby World Cup in France, claimed the 2006-08 European Nations Cup crown ahead of Russia.

The Division 1 fixtures for the 2009-10 season have yet to be confirmed but will be completed before June 30, 2010.

The European Nations Cup Division 1 fixtures are as follows:

November 8 Russia 42-15 Spain

November 15 Spain 22-11 Germany

February 7 Germany 5-38 Georgia Spain 10-19 Romania Portugal 14-18 Russia

February 14
Georgia v Portugal
Germany v Romania

February 21
Portugal v Germany

February 28
Spain v Georgia
Romania v Russia

March 14
Georgia v Romania

March 15
Portugal v Spain

March 21
Russia v Georgia
Romania vs Portugal

May 2
Germany v Russia