Jersey Reds invited to take on Russian national team in Rugby World Cup warm-up

Jersey Reds are to take on Russia in Moscow later this month as part of preparations for Rugby World Cup 2019.

The match on Tuesday August 27th represents a massive challenge for the visitors: as the Reds prepare for the forthcoming season in the Championship, the second tier of the professional game in England, their hosts are getting ready to travel to Japan, where they will face the host nation, Samoa, Ireland and Scotland in Pool A in the forthcoming World Cup.

Known as the Bears, Russia are currently ranked 20th in the World Rugby rankings and will be preparing for their second World Cup, having previously qualified for the 2011 tournament in New Zealand.

Discussions between the Rugby Union of Russia and Jersey Reds were initiated as a result of family connections between Lyn Jones, the former Wales flanker who is Head Coach of the Bears, and his son Luc, a scrum-half who joined the Reds this summer.

The first competitive match of the season will see the Reds host Newcastle Falcons for a Championship match at Stade Santander International on Saturday September 21st. The Championship kicks off three weeks later, with the Reds hosting Coventry on Saturday October 12th.