Latvia national rugby union team
The Latvia national rugby union team represents Latvia at the sport of rugby union. They are governed by the Latvijas Regbija federācija and have been playing international rugby since the early 1990s. They have played most of their games in the Daugava Stadium in Riga.
| Union | Latvian Rugby Federation | |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach |  Gary Walker | |
| Captain | Ainārs Bērziņš | |
| Top scorer | Robert Davidson (209 points) | |
| ||
| World Rugby ranking | ||
| Current | 64 (as of 16 January 2023) | |
| Highest | 60 (4 April 2022) | |
| First international | ||
 Latvia 3 - 28 Georgia .svg.png.webp){kind=small} (1992-07-19) | ||
| Biggest win | ||
Latvia 89 - 0 Bulgaria  (1997-05-10) | ||
| Biggest defeat | ||
Latvia 3 - 57 Lithuania  (2011-04-30) | ||
History
Rugby has increased in popularity in Latvia recently due to a rise in form. Despite minimal playing numbers, Latvia continue to compete at a high level, and had an outside chance of finishing top of Division 2A of the European Nations Cup. However their hopes took a massive blow, when they failed to capitalise on Poland's surprise home defeat to Croatia, losing 16-13 to Malta in Paola. Latvia is an improving rugby team as now more players are playing in Russia, Germany, and Canada.
Latvia won the 2018–19 Rugby Europe Conference 2 North and was promoted to Conference 1 North for the 2019–20 season.
The national side is ranked 58th in the world (as of 12 August 2019).[1]
Current squad
The roster for the 2018–19 Rugby Europe Conference 2 North tournament match against Norway:[2]
- Head coach: Gary Walker
| No. | Name | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guntis Cirša | RK Miesnieki | |
| 2 | Ingus Aivars | RK Eži | |
| 3 | Māris Robežnieks | RK Miesnieki | |
| 4 | Māris Streikišs | RK Eži | |
| 5 | Emīls Zerafims | RK Jūrmala | |
| 6 | Janeks Taškāns | RK Livonia | |
| 7 | Roberts Miksons | RK Livonia | |
| 8 | Ainārs Bērziņš | RK Livonia | |
| 9 | Valters Raņķis | RK Livonia | |
| 10 | Tomass Davidsons | Wharfedale RUFC | |
| 11 | Ivo Kapiņš | RK Livonia | |
| 12 | Viljams Davidsons | Preston Grasshopers | |
| 13 | Dāvis Bajārs | RK Fēnikss | |
| 14 | Vigo Valdavs | RK Livonia | |
| 15 | Roberts Davidsons | Wharfedale RUFC | |
| 16 | Vladislavs Šagins | Rugby Rovigo Delta  | |
| 17 | Arturs Baranovskis | RK Jūrmala | |
| 18 | Kaspars Briedis | RK Livonia | |
| 19 | Kristaps Martinsons | RK Livonia | |
| 20 | Adrians Lovkins | RK Fēnikss | |
| 21 | Niks Voitečko | RK Livonia | |
| 22 | Ruslans Kotļevs | RK Eži | |
| 23 | Kristaps Bērze | RK Sigulda |
Notable Players
- Uldis Saulite, 28 Caps, Captain of professional Russian rugby side Ensiey-STM, (2000-present),[3]
- Jurjis Baranovs, plays for professional Russian rugby side Ensiey-STM, (2001-present),[4]
- Robert Davidson, top points scorer (20 Caps, 209 points),[5]
References
- "Men's Rankings | World Rugby | worldrugby.org". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
- "2018-19 REIC Men XV - M2 NORWAY Vs. LATVIA". Rugby Europe. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
- "Досье: Саулите Улдис / РК "Енисей-СТМ" - официальный сайт". www.enisei-stm.ru. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- "Досье: Баранов Юрий / РК "Енисей-СТМ" - официальный сайт". www.enisei-stm.ru. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- "Settle's Robbie Davidson breaks Latvian points record". Craven Herald. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
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External links
- Official website (in Latvian)