Scully takes Flight and Tigers set to face Russian Test?

Scully set to miss run up to Quarter Final

Tigers are set to miss Blaine Scully for the final two weeks build up to the monumental trip to Clermont in the Heineken Cup Quarter Final.  Winger-cum-full back Scully has been named as part of Mike Tolkin’s US Eagles squad that takes on Uruguay in a two legged Rugby World Cup qualifier.

The first leg is set for this Saturday in Montevideo with the return fixture at Kenneshaw State University in Atlanta a week later.  That rules Scully out of the Exeter game this Sunday as well as the visit to Northampton.  The Saints will be missing Samu Manoa who is amongst 11 players from the top three divisions of English rugby selected.

Scully’s absence deals the Californian wingers chances of playing in Clermont a body blow.  Cemented in the First XV at present his national service will give Adam Thompstone or a fit again Miles Benjamin a chance to press their claims.  You cannot begrudge a man an international cap but the creep of the international rugby continues unabated.

USA Squad:

Forwards: Todd Clever (NTT Shining Arcs), Tom Coolican (Richmond), Cam Dolan (Northampton), Eric Fry (London Scottish), Olive Kilifi (Seattle-OPSB), Titi Lamositele (Saracens), Scott LaValla (Stade Francais), Samu Manoa (Northampton), Hayden Smith (Saracens), Lou Stanfill (Seattle-OPSB), Kyle Sumsion (BYU), Phil Thiel (Life), Tai Tuisamoa (OMBAC), Nick Wallace (James Bay)

Backs: Miles Craigwell (Seattle-OPSB), Luke Hume (Narbonne), Seamus Kelly (Cal), Toby L'Estrange (London Welsh), Tim Maupin (Olympic Club), Folau Niua (Glasgow), Mike Petri (NYAC), Blaine Scully (Leicester), Robbie Shaw (London Scottish), Andrew Suniula (London Wasps), Shalom Suniula (Seattle-OPSB), Chris Wyles (Saracens)

 

Tigers to play Russian Champions?

Brown’s Sport & Leisure Club in Vilamoura, Portugal, have been advertising that they will be hosting a match between Russian Champions Krasny Yar and English Champions Leicester Tigers on Friday April 11^th.  

Link Here 

And another here 

And Facebook Here 

As part of the “Algarve Rugby Festival” Krasny Yar will also be playing the British Army the week before.  Last season London Irish faced the Army in the 2013 edition of the “Algarve Rugby Festival” so this is not perhaps the wild fantasy it appears to be.

Tigers have not confirmed the fixture or the level of team being sent.  It is unclear whether the invasion of Crimea by Russian forces will affect this event.

Krasny Yar features a professional squad with the most recognisable names to western fans being ex-Northampton wing Vasily Artemyev and ex-Wasps flanker Victor Gresev.  They topped the regular season table in Russia before beating cross town rivals Enisey-STM in a two legged final.