Russia opt for Experience against Canada

Alexander Pervukhin has named his team to face Canada at Calgary Rugby Park on Saturday. Former Northampton Saints fullback Vasili Artemiev leads an experienced side with only one new cap – winger Konstantin Uzunov. Absent are a number of stars currently on sevens duty in Monaco.

A powerful back row unit is led by vice-captain Andrei Temnov and former Wasps loose forward Viktor Gresev. Second rows Andrei Garbuzov and Denis Antonov boast more than 100 caps between them, as do halfbacks Alexei Shcherban and Yuri Kushnarev. Gresev and Kushnarev will each be making their 80th test appearance in the match.

Russia has never defeated Canada in three attempts, and are currently ranked just behind in 19th spot. The last meeting between the two was 35-3 victory for Canada at the neutral site of Colwyn Bay, North Wales, in November 2012. Kickoff in Calgary is set for 3pm local time (2pm Pacific, 5pm Eastern) and the match will be broadcast live on TSN 2.

RUSSIA
1 Azamat Bitiev 2 Nazir Gasanov 3 Innokenty Zykov 4 Andrei Garbuzov 5 Denis Antonov 6 Viktor Gresev 7 Andrei Temnov 8 Anton Rudoi 9 Alexei Shcherban 10 Yuri Kushnarev 11 Evgeni Kolomiytsev 12 Vladimir Rudenko 13 Dimitri Gerasimov 14 Konstantin Uzunov 15 Vasili Artemiev (capt.)

16 Evgeni Matveev 17 Alexei Volkov 18 Vladimir Podrezov 19 Evgeni Elgin 20 Pavel Butenko 21 Rushan Yagudin 22 Sergei Yanyushkin 23 Anton Ryabov