VVA Saracens
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| Full name |
Rugby club VVA-Podmoskovje, Moscow region |
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| Founded |
1967 |
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| Location |
Monino, Russia |
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| Ground(s) |
Gagarin Air Force Academy stadium (Capacity: 5000) |
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| Chairman |
Rifkat Sattarov |
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| Coach(es) |
Nikolay Nerush |
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| Captain(s) |
Vladimir Marchenko |
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| Official website |
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www.vva-podmoskovje.ru |
The VVA Saracens, formally known as VVA-Podmoskovye, is a Russian rugby union team currently playing in the Professional Rugby League, under the Saracens global network after joining the Network in 2013.[1] The team plays at Gagarin Air Force Academy stadium in Monino, a garrison town just outside Moscow. VVA-Podmoskovye have strong links to the air force and also supply the bulk of Russia, with which they share a head coach, Nikolai Nerush. The team has ambitious plans for the future - it is lobbying hard for inclusion in the European Challenge Cup and is close to completing a 12,500-seat purpose-built rugby stadium.[2]
VVA Saracens have won the title eight times, in 1993, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. They were also nine-time winners of the Soviet Championship.
March 2011 saw two stars depart for Aviva Premiership clubs, with Moldovan international Vadim Cobîlaş joining former Russia coach Steve Diamond at Sale Sharks and Russian international Vasily Artemiev joining Northampton Saints.
Honours
- USSR/Russian Championship (17): 1969, 1971, 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1993, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
- Runner-up (9): 1972, 1982, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2005.
- USSR/Russian Cup (13): 1976, 1980, 1983, 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010.
Squad
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
