NONE, TO BE exact. The Russians were expelled from their 2003 qualifying campaign after a protest by Spain. The Spaniards were not happy that Russia had fielded three South African-born players (Hendriks, Volschenk and Pieterse).
The Russian authorities tried to claim that they qualified through their ancestry but failed to produce the necessary documents to the IRB, with the result that Spain were reinstated in Russia’s qualifying place.
Who is the key player?
That’s Vladislav Korshunov, captain of the side and a man that has amassed well over 50 caps for his country. Korshunov is a hooker that plays for VVA-Podmoskovye Monino, he has scored five tries for his country since his debut in 2002.
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The coaching staff
The main man is Nikolay Nerush, who doubles as the coach for Korshunov’s club side VVA-Podmoskovye. Nerush is assisted by the former Wales flanker Kingsley Jones and Henry Paul, the New Zealand-born former dual rugby league/rugby union star.
Translation is not an issue, as Australian-born second row Adam Byrnes explains: “He is very good at it and I have told him that this could be his first of many World Cups,” he said, referring to team-mate and bilinguist Vasily Artemyev.
“Long after he has finished playing, his interpreting skills will always be useful in the team environment.”
Artemyev’s Irish connection
Moving from Russia to Dublin as a teenager, the 24-year-old Artemyev has amassed Leinster Schools, U19s & U20s, Irish Schools and Irish U19s honours. He studied law at UCD and played for their rugby team for a number of years.
He won the league and Metro Cup with UCD, before returning to his native Moscow in 2008. Artemyev has 17 international caps to his name, and has scored five tries.
He joins Northampton Saints after the World Cup.
The form so far
Not great, and they shouldn’t unduly trouble the Irish. They only bisected the posts twice during the 6-13 defeat to the United States, and while they did manage three tries against a strong Italian side on Tuesday, their defence failed to deal with the Azzurri onslaught and they lost 53-17.
Next up for Ireland: Focus on the Russian rugby squad…
Previous tournament experience?
NONE, TO BE exact. The Russians were expelled from their 2003 qualifying campaign after a protest by Spain. The Spaniards were not happy that Russia had fielded three South African-born players (Hendriks, Volschenk and Pieterse).
The Russian authorities tried to claim that they qualified through their ancestry but failed to produce the necessary documents to the IRB, with the result that Spain were reinstated in Russia’s qualifying place.
Who is the key player?
That’s Vladislav Korshunov, captain of the side and a man that has amassed well over 50 caps for his country. Korshunov is a hooker that plays for VVA-Podmoskovye Monino, he has scored five tries for his country since his debut in 2002.
The coaching staff
The main man is Nikolay Nerush, who doubles as the coach for Korshunov’s club side VVA-Podmoskovye. Nerush is assisted by the former Wales flanker Kingsley Jones and Henry Paul, the New Zealand-born former dual rugby league/rugby union star.
Translation is not an issue, as Australian-born second row Adam Byrnes explains: “He is very good at it and I have told him that this could be his first of many World Cups,” he said, referring to team-mate and bilinguist Vasily Artemyev.
“Long after he has finished playing, his interpreting skills will always be useful in the team environment.”
Artemyev’s Irish connection
Moving from Russia to Dublin as a teenager, the 24-year-old Artemyev has amassed Leinster Schools, U19s & U20s, Irish Schools and Irish U19s honours. He studied law at UCD and played for their rugby team for a number of years.
He won the league and Metro Cup with UCD, before returning to his native Moscow in 2008. Artemyev has 17 international caps to his name, and has scored five tries.
He joins Northampton Saints after the World Cup.
The form so far
Not great, and they shouldn’t unduly trouble the Irish. They only bisected the posts twice during the 6-13 defeat to the United States, and while they did manage three tries against a strong Italian side on Tuesday, their defence failed to deal with the Azzurri onslaught and they lost 53-17.
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