Russian are one of the newer national teams, having played their first match in 1992. Their roots are however much older. The current set up is administered by the Rugby Union of Russia. Russia previously played as the Soviet Union, and in the early 1990s, as a combined CIS team. Since 1992 however, they have been playing as Russia. The team qualified for their first Rugby World Cup in New Zealand 2011, by taking the Europe 2 spot behind Georgia. At the time of going to press they also sit in the top 20 on the IRB World ranking list in 19th spot.
Russia will be seen in the World Cup certainly in some version of their red shirts,with white shorts and red socks. The away strip will probably be all blue with red socks. Whatever you can be sure to see the Russian bear on the logo with his rugby ball in paw. The team will did well, but did not win any games in their first world cup as they met Australia, Ireland, Italy and USA who are their Pool C opponents in New Zealand 2011.
Russia compete regularly in the European Nations Cup, and more recently, in the IRB Nations Cup. The teams has improved quickly and finished 2nd for the first time in their history in the 2006-2008 European Nations Cup First Division. They have cemented themselves in the top 20 nations in the world. Russia will compete in their first Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011.
Russia also has a Rugby Sevens team which is competing in the IRB World Sevens Series. Their biggest result as yet came in the 2006 London Sevens Tournament with a victory over Australia 21-5, with a hat-trick from Igor Galinovskiy. Be certain that by 2016 they will be a force to reckon with.
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