Can Russia, with a population of over 140 million, become a rising power in world rugby?
Can Russia, with a population of over 140 million, become a rising power in world rugby?
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Russia's women are hoping to make it to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro by winning next weekend's sevens repechage event in Ireland from 15 rival nations.
Russia's women are hoping to make it to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro by winning next weekend's sevens repechage event in Ireland from 15 rival nations.
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Russia, which faces Samoa, Zimbabwe and Madagascar in the pool stage, has a 46% win percentage this season -- winning 13 and losing 15 of its 28 matches.
Russia, which faces Samoa, Zimbabwe and Madagascar in the pool stage, has a 46% win percentage this season -- winning 13 and losing 15 of its 28 matches.
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The team enjoyed an encouraging start to the 2015-16 world series by finishing as runner-up at the Dubai Sevens in December
The team enjoyed an encouraging start to the 2015-16 world series by finishing as runner-up at the Dubai Sevens in December
Masha Anderson
Top-level rugby in Russia has stagnated in recent years, with the men's XVs team failing to qualify for the 2015 World Cup.
Top-level rugby in Russia has stagnated in recent years, with the men's XVs team failing to qualify for the 2015 World Cup.
Masha Anderson
Nadezda Kudinova is one of Russia's most exciting sevens players. She finished the season as her team's second top scorer.
Nadezda Kudinova is one of Russia's most exciting sevens players. She finished the season as her team's second top scorer.
Masha Anderson
Rugby is being played and taught in schools across Russia, with both boys and girls getting involved as the sport grows in popularity.
Rugby is being played and taught in schools across Russia, with both boys and girls getting involved as the sport grows in popularity.
Masha Anderson
Russia's men failed to secure a place at August's Rio Olympics, finishing third at the final qualifying repechage in Monaco after a semifinal defeat by eventual winner Spain.
Russia's men failed to secure a place at August's Rio Olympics, finishing third at the final qualifying repechage in Monaco after a semifinal defeat by eventual winner Spain.
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Russia had finished the men's Sevens World Series in 14th place with a win percentage of just 26% this season -- winning 15 and losing 41 of its 57 games.
Russia had finished the men's Sevens World Series in 14th place with a win percentage of just 26% this season -- winning 15 and losing 41 of its 57 games.
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At the London Sevens in May, Russia was beaten in this Bowl quarterfinal against Samoa but reached the bottom-tier Shield final, losing to Kenya 31-7.
At the London Sevens in May, Russia was beaten in this Bowl quarterfinal against Samoa but reached the bottom-tier Shield final, losing to Kenya 31-7.
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Kenya's Frank Wanyama looks to break the Russian defense line at Twickenham Stadium.
Kenya's Frank Wanyama looks to break the Russian defense line at Twickenham Stadium.
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Russian president Vladimir Putin has championed sport, partly as a way of demonstrating the nation's prestige. A keen sportsman, Putin is pictured taking part in a judo training session at a sports complex in St. Petersburg in December 2010. The Russian leader holds a black belt in judo.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has championed sport, partly as a way of demonstrating the nation's prestige. A keen sportsman, Putin is pictured taking part in a judo training session at a sports complex in St. Petersburg in December 2010. The Russian leader holds a black belt in judo.
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