About:

Standard of rugby:

good to high standard. By way of example, Latvian Hawks have previously participated in the London Floodlit 7-s at Rosslyn Park. In future years it is hoped that there will also be a social tournament to complement the senior tournament.

Latvian Rugby:

Latvia is the strongest of the rugby unions from amongst the former Soviet Baltic States. The international XV regularly compete in International Tournaments and the Qualifyers for the World Cup.

Currently the national XV are 44th in the IRB World Rankings, so 10 places above Beligum (54th) and 2 above Zimbabwe (46th) (Netherlands are 37th!)

The league is made up of 6 amateur teams in addition to which games are regularly played against teams from Estonia, Lithuania and Russia. However even a “local” game against the Tallinn Nomads involves an 8 hour round trip (and includes all the associated costs, bus hire, fuel, food etc…).

History:

Rugby was never particularly big in the Former Soviet Union until the 1960’s when there were discussions about including the sport in the Olympics. The Soviets, being interested in propaganda and national prestige through sporting triumphs, then started to develop the game in the USSR. As it became clear that rugby would not become an Olympic sport in the foreseeable future, funding was reduced, but nonetheless, interest remained in certain hotspots of the USSR, notably certain cities in Russia (Krasnodar), Georgia, Ukraine and Latvia.

(stamps from 1977 International Rugby Tournament run by “Socialist Industry“ Paper in Tbilisi,Georgia)

Riga:
Over the last few years, Riga has suddenly developed its wings and has gained a reputation as the liveliest city in the East, on a par with Prague, but less touristy. Riga is the sophisticated, cosmopolitan heartbeat of the Baltics, combining a UNESCO listed Old Town with a vibrant social and nightlife.

A place where East meets West (over half the population are Russian) and with natural and architectural beauty on every corner.

Oh and by the way, not only is the vodka and beer first class, but it is also very cheap!!