Spain have been stripped of their 2023 Rugby World Cup place after World Rugby deemed they used an ineligible player during qualification.

It is the second World Cup in a row that Spain have been disqualified from, for the same offence.

They still have 14 days in which to appeal the decision.

A 10-point penalty applied to Spain in the European qualification tournament means Portugal are now also in a position to reach the World Cup.

While Romania advance automatically in place of Spain, Portugal can now secure their place through a final qualification tournament in November.

Romania last played at the World Cup in 2015, while Portugal’s only appearance at the tournament came in 2007.

Spain were given a £25,000 fine and will now also have to pay a £50,000 suspended fine from a previous eligibility breach made in qualifying for the 2019 World Cup.

The other sides in Pool B are Scotland, Ireland and South Africa, as well as an unconfirmed Asia-Pacific qualifier.