MOSCOW, November 3 (R-Sport) - Russia’s rugby team will be looking for revenge for a World Cup defeat when they face the United States in an autumn Test on Friday, coach Kingsley Jones has said.
Russia went down a 13-6 defeat to the U.S. in their first-ever World Cup game in New Zealand last year, and Jones had pledged to field a full-strength side for the rematch, to be played in Wales.
"Everyone was disappointed with our defeat by six points to the USA at the Rugby World Cup so there will be extra motivation when we face them next Friday night,” Jones said on the Welsh Rugby Union website Friday.
“Our Rugby World Cup qualification starts in earnest in the New Year so while I've experimented with a large number of players during the past 12 months, we're bringing our best available players to Wales to really try and make a mark.”
Russia will warm up with a match against Oxford University on Sunday, and also face Canada in Wales on November 17.
Both the U.S. and Canada games will be played in Colwyn Bay, and Welshman Jones said he was keen for his fellow countrymen to support Russia.
“"I hope the people of north Wales will come out and support the team in red - Russia,” he said.
