Spain got back to winning ways in the European Nations Cup with a 22-11 victory over Germany at the Stade Universitaire in Madrid.

The result was a welcome boost to the Lions' title chances following their heavy 42-15 defeat to Russia in the opening fixture of the 2008/10 competition in Moscow last weekend.

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 automatic qualification for RWC'11 for the top two finishers.

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 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 v Georgia
Spain v Romania
Portugal v 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