Coach Chris O'Keefe....

"Russias performance so far has been outstanding. With the first round playing against the most naturally football gifted race of people in the world. The boys defended well and really put it to the AA/TSI and if we had been fitter we would have nabbed the bastards. So the weeks break was welcomed by the players and we got into some heavy fitness work. Then came our big game, up against the cream of our pool. The Welsh. I am so proud of the boys in the way they competed, we pride ourselves in our defence and everybody stepped up. We played really well to only get beaten 18-10. At a point in the first half we were leading. We caught the Welsh by suprise and only when they brought on their bug guns did the game get away from us. We played really well and I believe we are peaking and a win will be on its way."