Valery Morozov
Valery Morozov (Russian: Валерий Морозов) (born 21 September 1994)[1] is a Russian professional rugby union player for Sale Sharks in England's top division Premiership Rugby, and for the Russia. He plays as a prop.[2]
| Date of birth | 21 September 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Moscow, Russia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 115 kg (18 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
Born in Moscow, Russia, from the age of 7 Valery was engaged in volleyball, fulfilled the standard of a candidate for the master of sports. At the age of 14, he realized that he does not have a great sports future in volleyball, his height of 1.91 was not enough for professional career. Therefore, Valery moved to the rugby section.
Career
Club
Started playing rugby in his hometown Zelenograd. Then he began to play for the local amateur club in the position Number 8. At the end of 2015, Valery signed a contract for 3 years with the professional club Enisei-STM. Changed position on the field and began to play prop. He won all possible titles in Russia. In December 2018, Valery signed a contract with the English club Sale Sharks.[3] Thanks to the recommendations of Andrei Ostrikov and Vadim Cobilas.[3] On 9 March 2019 Valery was named as Man of the Match as he scored in Sale's Premiership Rugby win over Leicester Tigers.[4]
Honours
- Russian Championships (3): 2016, 2017, 2018
- Russian Cup (2): 2016, 2017
- Russian Supercup (1): 2017
- European Rugby Continental Shield (2): 2016-17, 2017-18
- Premiership Rugby Cup: 2019-20.
National Team
Valery's debut for the Russian national team was on 11 November 2016 in Hong Kong against Zimbabwe,[5] where he helped the Russian "Bears" win the 2016 Cup of Nations. His debut try was in the match against Romania in the 2017 Rugby Europe Championship.[6]
Honours
- Cup of Nations (2): 2016, 2017
- World Rugby Nations Cup runner-up (1): 2017
- Rugby Europe International Championships runner-up (1): 2018
References
- "Valery Morozov". ESPN. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- "Valery Morozov Sale Profile". Sale Sharks. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- "Valery Morozov: Sale Sharks sign Russia international prop from Enisei-STM". BBC. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- "Match Reaction: Sale Sharks 32-5 Leicester Tigers". Premiership Rugby. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- "Russia (19) 19 - 15 (6) Zimbabwe (FT)". ESPN. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
- "Russia (3) 10 - 30 (14) Romania (FT)". ESPN. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2019.