The coach and former Wales flanker is optimistic but realistic: ‘We’re not at a different level, we’re playing a different sport’They are not the biggest beasts in the east but, win or lose, the unheralded rugby men of
Russia are planning to enjoy their rare moment in the global spotlight when the
World Cup kicks off on Friday night. While even their own head coach, the former Welsh flanker Lyn Jones, gives them barely a 20% chance of upsetting hosts
Japan in the tournament’s opening fixture, the Bears are definitely not a squad lacking for spirit or character.
Defeats to
Italy, Connacht and Jersey in their warm-up games do not remotely reflect the eventful journey they have been on to get this far. Russia only crept into the tournament by the back door after Romania,
Spain and
Belgium were docked points for fielding ineligible players in European World Cup qualification and their eclectic squad includes a tighthead prop, Kiril Gotovtsev, who competed as a wrestler and bobsleigher before, aged 26, he reapplied his raw strength to the front row.