Wouldn't bet against Russian teams being involved in the Challenge Cup soon given how they have a professional domestic comp which is probably of a higher standard than everything barring Guiness Premiership, Magners League, Top 14 and Super 10(Italy).

dont you think theyd face similar problems to the league teams in getting visas to leave the country?
this has been a big headache for the teams competing in the chalenge cup. i remember a few years ago kazan almost had to withdraw from a tie, getting their visas at the last minute

I agree silly scorelines such as 74-0 should be heavily criticised.

Suppose that could come into it, still think that Russian Rugby Union is making very potent strides, they will have to include them in something soon given that they could soon attract players of higher quality to their league if they are cash rich like their football cousins.

when you've got tony smith using words like 'useful run-out' and john dixon saying 'we can only grow from here' and 'It's a starting point' i think it gives you an idea of how the coaches and temas approached the [ifriendly[/i

I thought that the top Romanian players also plied their trade elsewhere though?

i read last week that the romanian team in the euro competition, buceresti (spelling?) is made up of the best romanian players.
im pretty sure they play their games in romania.
1,000 turned up to see their game at the weekend.
also 3 or 4 more sub 2,500 crowds over weekend

Seems a little 'pot and kettle' from you there.

RU landslide = bad; RL landslide = OK.

You're quite new round here, aren't you



That's exactly how it works.
It's one of life's contradictions.
You will also find that according to many on here the fawning RU friendly press never say a bad word about RU, and that examples of RU journalists slating games are frequently linked to the board by the same people.

worst attempt at irony ... ever

fair enough. i still say it depends on the game.
when the union press come out saying its a global game and then the all blacks put towards 100 points on a 'strong' union nation like samoa you have to say that its a bit of an exagerated claim.
as far as i know the vast majority of folk esxpected england to easily beat the young, largely inexperienced wales team on friday.
i certainly did. that's why i had 20 quid on england -36