Russia names squad for Ospreys match

The coaches of the Russian national team have named the side which will take on the Ospreys this afternoon.

The game offers the coaches a last chance to observe players in a match environment before the deadline to announce a 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup on August 22.


An extended squad of 26 has been named for the game, with a strong starting line-up.


Vladislav Korshunov returns as captain and as hooker following a broken nose in training, and also returning from injury is Andrey Ostrikov, who has recovered from a shoulder injury. He is joined in the second row by Alexander Voytov, who makes his first appearance on tour.


However, fellow second row Adam Byrnes is still experiencing some discomfort from an existing injury, as is Vladimir Ostroushko. Both are expected to be fit for the final tour game against Gloucester on August 26.


Starting line-up vs. Ospreys


15. Igor Klyuchnikov
14. Andrey Kuzin
13. Mikhail Babaev
12. Alex Makovetsky
11. Vasily Artemyev
10. Konstantin Rachkov
9. Alexander Shakirov


1. Sergey Popov
2. Vladislav Korshunov
3. Ivan Prishchepenko
4. Alexander Voytov
5. Andrey Ostrikov
6. Victor Gresev
7. Artem Fatakhov
8. Viatcheslav Grachev



Replacements:


Evgeny Matveev
Alexander Khrokin
Alexey Travkin
Andrey Garbuzov
Alexander Yanyushkin
Sergey Sugrobov
Sergey Trishin
Mikhail Sidorov
Vladimir Botvinnikov
Andrey Temnov
Denis Simplikevich