Latvia national rugby union team

Latvia
UnionLatvian Rugby Federation
Head coachLatvia Kristaps Staņa
CaptainElmārs Šefanovskis
Top scorerRoberts Džo Davidsons (209 points)
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current64 (as of 16 January 2023)
Highest60 (4 April 2022)
First international
Latvia Latvia 3 - 28 Georgia Georgia (country)
(1992-07-19)
Biggest win
Latvia Latvia 89 - 0 Bulgaria Bulgaria
(1997-05-10)
Biggest defeat
Latvia Latvia 3 - 57 Lithuania Lithuania
(2011-04-30)

The Latvia national rugby union team (Latvian: Latvijas regbija XV izlase) 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 or the Baldone Stadium in Baldone, Ķekava Municipality.

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: England Gary Walker
No. Name Position Club
1 Guntis Cirša RK Miesnieki Latvia
2 Ingus Aivars RK Eži Latvia
3 Māris Robežnieks RK Miesnieki Latvia
4 Māris Streikišs RK Eži Latvia
5 Emīls Zerafims RK Jūrmala Latvia
6 Janeks Taškāns RK Livonia Latvia
7 Roberts Miksons RK Livonia Latvia
8 Ainārs Bērziņš RK Livonia Latvia
9 Valters Raņķis RK Livonia Latvia
10 Tomass Davidsons Wharfedale RUFC England
11 Ivo Kapiņš RK Livonia Latvia
12 Viljams Davidsons Preston Grasshopers England
13 Dāvis Bajārs RK Fēnikss Latvia
14 Vigo Valdavs RK Livonia Latvia
15 Roberts Džo Davidsons Wharfedale RUFC England
16 Vladislavs Šagins Rugby Rovigo Delta Italy
17 Arturs Baranovskis RK Jūrmala Latvia
18 Kaspars Briedis RK Livonia Latvia
19 Kristaps Martinsons RK Livonia Latvia
20 Adrians Lovkins RK Fēnikss Latvia
21 Niks Voitečko RK Livonia Latvia
22 Ruslans Kotļevs RK Eži Latvia
23 Kristaps Bērze RK Sigulda Latvia

Notable players

References

  1. ^ "Men's Rankings | World Rugby | worldrugby.org". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  2. ^ "2018-19 REIC Men XV - M2 NORWAY Vs. LATVIA". Rugby Europe. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
  3. ^ "Досье: Саулите Улдис / РК "Енисей-СТМ" - официальный сайт". www.enisei-stm.ru. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  4. ^ "Досье: Баранов Юрий / РК "Енисей-СТМ" - официальный сайт". www.enisei-stm.ru. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  5. ^ "Settle's Robbie Davidson breaks Latvian points record". Craven Herald. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
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