Armenia national rugby union team

Armenia Հայաստան
Union Rugby Federation of Armenia
Ground(s) Abovyan City Stadium
Coach(es) France Laurent Hairabetian (player-coach)
Captain(s) Alain Tchurukdichian
Team kit
Change kit
First international
Armenia Armenia 36 – 6 Norway 
(2 June 2004)
Largest win
Armenia Armenia 48 – 0 Israel 
(5 June 2004)
Largest defeat
 Sweden 24 – 0 Armenia Armenia
(21 October 2006)

The Armenian national rugby union team has recently begun playing in the European Nations Cup. The team is unexpectedly strong due to the large Armenian diaspora in France (as well as other traditionally strong rugby nations). So the team has drawn many players, coaches, and trainers from this experienced pool. The team was undefeated since debuting in European competition in 2004 until 1 October 2006, when they lost to Switzerland 16–29 in Vienne (France). The coach is Laurent Hairabetian.

The loss to Switzerland was Armenia's first loss in international rugby since they began playing tests in 2004. Prior to that loss they had won ten tests in a row progressing up the FIRA-AER divisions until reaching Division 3A in the European Nations Cup tournament. After the loss to Switzerland Armenia then lost 0–24 to Sweden on 21 October 2006. With the revamping of the competition structure Armenia will stay in this division for two seasons, playing home-away matches against Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Serbia.

Results so far in the second round have been impressive. Armenia has defeated Sweden 16–12 (1 September 2007) and Switzerland 28–15 (6 October 2007) to be placed in the middle of the competition table.

Recent squad

  • Laurent Hairabetian
  • Pierre-Alexandre Vignon
  • Laurent Bedrossian
  • Eric Laurent
  • Vinsent Semirdjian
  • Taron Bagdassarian
  • Adam Keenor
  • Robin Melkonian
  • Connor Williams
  • Gregory Ounjian
  • Johnatan Torossian
  • Sergey Budagyan
  • Tim Newth
  • Jaque Boghossian
  • Gareth Burkitt
  • Vincent Makinadjian
  • Alexandre Tchurukdichian
  • Sébastien ADAMKIEWICZ

Undefeated streak (2004–2006)

  • 2 June 2004 : Armenia 36 – 6 Norway (Div. 3C)
  • 5 June 2004 : Armenia 48 – 0 Israel (Div. 3C)
  • 20 October 2004 : Armenia 24 – 11 Belgium (friendly match)
  • 7 April 2005 : Armenia 47 – 15 Israel (Div. 3)
  • 11 June 2005 : Armenia 31 – 12 Israel (Div. 3)
  • 1 October 2005 : Armenia 39 – 12 Luxembourg (Div. 3B/C Playoff)
  • 12 November 2005 : Armenia 57 – 17 Bulgaria (Div. 3B)
  • 29 April 2006 : Armenia 24 – 13 Hungary (Div. 3B)
  • 13 May 2006 : Armenia 42 – 6 Slovenia (Div. 3B)
  • 4 June 2006 : Armenia 18 – 3 Lithuania (Div. 3B)

2006–2008 European Nations Cup

DateMatch LocationResult
30 September 2006Armenia – SwitzerlandVienne16–29
21 October 2006Sweden – ArmeniaHelsingborg24–0
7 April 2007DenmarkArmeniaOdense3–11
1 September 2007Armenia – SwedenBourgoin-Jallieu16–12
6 October 2007Armenia – SwitzerlandNyon28–15
12 April 2008Armenia – DenmarkAbovyan24–13
10 May 2008ArmeniaSerbiaAbovyan25–0
12 April 2008Armenia – SerbiaBelgrade8–19

FIRA-AER, ENC Division 3A standings[1]

  MJ V N D Diff Pts
1. Sweden 87018722
2. Armenia 85031318
3. Switzerland 84042416
4. Serbia 8215−6913
5. Denmark 8116−5511

Latest results and fixtures

  • Armenia 26 – 17 Andorra

03/04/2010 – Abovyan, Armenia, 14:00 (GMT +4)

  • Armenia 20 – 19 Serbia

10/04/2010 – Abovyan, Armenia, 14:00 (GMT +4)

See also

References

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