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.

Latvia
UnionLatvian Rugby Federation
Head coach Gary Walker
CaptainAinārs Bērziņš
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current63 (as of 23 November 2020)
First international
Latvia 3 - 28 Georgia
(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 Preston Grasshopers
11 Ivo Kapiņš RK Livonia
12 Viljams Davidsons Preston Grasshopers
13 Dāvis Bajārs RK Fēnikss
14 Vigo Valdavs RK Livonia
15 Roberts Davidsons Sheffield Tigers
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

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.
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