Russia national rugby league team
| Nickname | The Bears |
|---|---|
| Governing body | Russian Rugby League |
| Region | Europe |
| Head coach | Igor Ovchinnikov |
| Captain | Denis Korolev |
| Home stadium | Naro-Fominsk |
| RLIF ranking | 16th |
| First international | |
 France 26–6 USSR  (Villeurbanne, France; September 1991) |
|
| Biggest win | |
 Lebanon 0–80 Russia  (Moscow, Russia; 28 September 2008) |
|
| Biggest defeat | |
 Australia 110–4 Russia (Hull, England; 4 November 2000) |
|
| World Cup | |
| Appearances | 1 (first time in 2000) |
| Best result | Group Stages, 2000 |
The Russia national rugby league team (also known as The Bears) represent Russia in international rugby league tournaments and other rugby league fixtures. The Bears, played their first fixtures against two British club sides: York Wasps and Fulham RLFC. In 2013, Russia became a full member of the Rugby League International Federation.
The Russia Bears were formed in 1991 for a tour of two English teams, the York Wasps and Fulham RLFC.
The Bears played their first overseas match in 1991 against the French national team at the Stade Georges Lyvet, Villeurbanne on Sunday, 27 October 1991. The Bears were beaten 26-6 by France. Later that year, the Bears toured South Africa to play a three-match series against South Africa.
France continued to assist the game in the former Soviet Union by touring in 1993, winning 30-14 in Moscow against the Bears and 34-14 against Moldova.
1994 was the most important year to date for the Bears, marking their first international victory against the USA Tomahawks, in San Francisco. In 1995, Russia competed in the Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament but only managed to win one game during the tournament, defeating the Americans 28-26.
Overseas teams would not return to Russia until 1998, when a youth tournament was held in Moscow. The Bears would have to wait until 2000 to play another international, when they played France in the lead-up to the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
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