Russia World Cup Rugby betting preview

Russia betting preview - rwc 2019 predictions

Russia are among the rank outsiders for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan at $5001 with our preferred sports bookmakers.

The Bears have competed in the Rugby World Cup once before, in 2011 in New Zealand, and they failed to win any of their matches, although their opener against the USA resulted in a 13-6 nailbiter.

The odds are against them winning any of their four matches in Pool A; their best chance of an upset will come against Samoa, but they will start a big price in this match too.

Nonetheless Russia have been a solid tier B nation for many years, and will be doing their utmost to avoid blowouts against the likes of Ireland, Scotland and even host nation Japan. The Bears have the honour of taking on Japan in the opening match of the 2019 tournament at Tokyo Stadium.

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Where Russia will finish in the 2019 Rugby World Cup

WGL prediction: Eliminated in group stage. Although Russia have not previously played Samoa or Scotland, they have one win on the board against Japan and pushed them in a friendly international last year before losing 32-27. We don’t think they will get that close this time..

Previous best World Cup result: Group stages

Russia’s Rugby World Cup draw

Match 1: Japan v Russia, Friday, Sep 20, Pool A, Tokyo Stadium
Match 9: Russia v Samoa, Tuesday, Sep 24, Pool A, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
Match 22: Ireland v Russia, Thursday, Oct 3, Pool A, Kobe Misaki Stadium
Match 31: Scotland v Russia, Wednesday, Oct 9, Pool A, Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa

Russia’s most recent results

February 10: Spain 16 d Russia 14, Six Nations B, Madrid
February 16: Russia 64 d Belgium 7, Six Nations B, Sotchi
March 2: Russia 26 d Germany 18, Six Nations B, Heidelburg
March 9: Romania 22 d Russia 20, Six Nations B, Botoşani
March 17: Georgia 22 d Russia 6, Six Nations B, Krasnodar
June 4: Uruguay 48 d Russia 26, Nations Cup, Montevideo
June 15: Russia 20 d Namibia 0, Nations Cup, Montevideo
August 12: Russia 40 d Russia Club XI 0, Slava Stadium, Moscow
August 17: Italy 85 d Russia 15, Russia tour, San Benedetto del Tronto
August 27: Jersey Reds 35 d Russia 22, Slava Stadium, Moscow
September 7: Connacht (Ireland) 42 d Russia 14, Slava Stadium, Moscow

Russia’s record against Pool A rivals

Ireland: Played 2: won 0, lost 2. Points for: 15, Points against: 97
Scotland: Played 0
Japan: Played 6: won 1, lost 5. Points for: 108, Points against: 269
Samoa: Played : 0

Russia squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup

Coach: Lyn Jones

Forwards: Azamat Bitiev, Andrey Garbuzov, Kirill Gotovtsev, Victor Gresev, Bogdan Fedotko, Vitaliy Zhivatov, Evgeny Matveev, Andrey Polivalov, Vladimir Podrezov, Evgeny Yelgin, Stanislav Selsky, Nikita Vavilin, Sergey Chernyshev, Tagir Gadzhiev, Roman Khodin, Andrei Ostrikov, Valery Morozov, Anton Sychev.

Backs: Vasily Artemyev (captain), Igor Galinovsky, Kirill Golosnitsky, Vasily Dorofeev, Yuri Kushnarev, German Davydov, Dmitry Perov, Vladislav Sozonov, Dmitry Gerasimov, Ramil Gaysin, Denis Simplikevich, Vladimir Ostroushko, Sergey Yanyushkin.

Leading try-scorer prediction for Russia

Denis Simplikevich: The towering fullback is something of a try-scoring wizard, having collected seven tries for his club Enisei-STM in the 2017 Russian Supercup final. Simplikevich was also outstanding in Russia’s lone previous World Cup, crossing the line against Australia and Ireland. One to watch, although with Russia not likely to make it out of the group his opportunities will be limited. He could be a good rough bet for first try-scorer in the opening match against Japan.

Russia predictions – how will the Bears fare?

Russia will get to play in front of a massive crowd for the tournament opener, but will struggle to land their first World Cup win. To do so would be a massive achievement and their best chance is against Samoa. The Samoans though have a proud history and are a powerful unit. So we aren’t tipping any wins for the Bears this time.

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