REC 2B: LATVIA v LITHUANIA

25.04.2015

Image thanks to https://www.facebook.com/regbislietuvoje

Venue: Stadium Centriniami, Siaulai

Referee: Vladimir Volovik (Russia)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	B	TL
LITHUANIA	2	2	0	0	72	44	28	2	10
LATVIA	2	2	0	0	55	34	21	1	9
CYPRUS	3	2	0	1	67	64	3	0	8
ANDORRA	3	1	0	2	48	82	-34	0	4
HUNGARY	4	0	0	4	76	94	-18	4	4

Both teams are undefeated. They are neighbours. Lithuania were relegated to this level and joined Latvia in this division. In the past Lithuania, back when they were sweeping all before them, defeated Latvia consistently by more than 50 points in test rugby matches in 2011-12. They are now on level terms again. I expect a real ding-dong clash. A passionate, physical derby in fact and a close result.

Last Five Encounters
28.04.2012 Lithuania 48-8 in Riga (ENC 2A)
30.04.2011 Lithuania 57-3 in Kuanus (ENC 2A)
04.04.2009 Lithuania 55-12 in Carnikava (Baltic Trophy)
13.04.2008 Lithuania 43-17 in Klaipedia (Friendly)
30.04.2005 Latvia 19-12 in Riga (WCQ Europe R2, Pool C)

Latvia defeated Lithuania 30-10 back in 1999 in Vilnius

Latvia Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
15.11.2014 v Cyprus W 39-20 in Riga (REC 2B)
02.11.2014 v Hungary W 16-14 in Ezstergom (REC 2B)
21,06,2014 v Croatia L 10-16 in Riga (ENC 2A-2B Playoff)
03.05.2014 v Denmark W 16-9 in Odense (ENC 2B)
26.04.2014 v Israel W 29-22 in Riga (ENC 2B)

Lithuania Last Five P 5, W 3, L 2
25.10.2014 v Hungary W 38-29 in Siauliai (REC 2B)
18.10.2014 v Andorra W 34-15 in Andorra La vela (REC 2B)
26.04.2014 v Switzerland W 24-18 in Vilnius (ENC 2A)
19.04.2014 v Croatia L 21-25 in Zagreb (ENC 2A)
09.11.2013 v Netherlands L 24-34 in Amsterdam (ENC 2A)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Europe Table: Latvia 24th, Lithuania 25th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Lithuania 47.65, Latvia 43.10

Prediction: Lithuania by 3. Score 9-6

TEAMS

Lithuania

1. Augustinas Terleckas-11.7.1985 (VAR Vilnius)
2. Tomas Zibolis-6.10.1981 (Baltrex, Siaulia)
3. Modestas Bekeris-3.1.1990 (Vairas, Siauliai)
4. Marius Andrijauskas-22.7.1980 (Shelford RC, England)
5. Julius Sutkus-9.2.1990 (Baltrex, Siauliai)
6. Martynas Liansbergas-18.5.1994 (Baltrex, Siauliai)
7. Justinas Urbonas-27.3.1992 (Vairas, Siauliai)
8. Zygimantas Radzius-30.6.1990, Capt. (Baltrex, Siauliai)
9. Mindaugas Misevicius-11.2.1982 (Vairas, Siauliai)
10. Dovydas Taujanskas-14.7.1994 (Hartpury College, England)
11. Jonas Mikalcius-1.5.1994 (Hartpury College, England)
12. Kestutis Marcisauskas-24.7.1985 (Vairas, Siauliai)
13. Justinas Vasiliauskas-10.7.1985 (Vairas, Siauliai)
14. Mantautas Vilimavicius-18.8.1992 (Vairas, Siauliai)
15. Vytaras Bloskys-30.8.1991 (Baltrex, Siauliai)

Replacements
16. Daivaras Jonatits-14.3.1992 (Vairas, Siauliai)
17. Lukas Radzevicius-21.3.1993 (Baltrex, Siauliai)
18. Airidas Savickas-24.8.1994 (Baltrex, Siauliai)
19. Nerijus Maciulis-4.4.1993 (Vairas, Siauliai)
20. Domantas Tautkus-2.6.1993 (Azuolas, Kaunas)
21. Dominykas Matuzevicius-20.8.1995 (Baltrex, Siauliai)
22. Dainius Tamaliunas-29.4.1993 (Azuolas, Kaunas)
23. Ignas Jankaitis-4.1.1990 (Baltrex, Siauliai)

Head Coach: Ntando Majokweni Manyosha

Team sheet thanks to Tomas Bieliauskas, Lithuania RF

Latvia

1. Sandris Jauntēvs
2. Elmārs Imbras
3. Kārlis Dzenis
4. Emīls Balodis
5. Māris Streikišs
6. Artūrs Kisle
7. Viktors Silvoniks
8. Ainārs Bērziņš
9. Norberts Bekmanis
10. Ruslans Kotļevs
11. Matīss Zalcmanis
12. Andris Andersons
13. Vigo Valdavs
14. Kristaps Bērziņš
15. Valters Ranķis

Replacements
16. Guntis Cirša
17. Jānis Šveds
18. Ingus Aivars
19. Santis Podāns
20. Andrejs Borisov
21. Leno Bramanis
22. Mikus Ozols
23. Raivis Kokins

Team lists thanks to Olegs Voronins, General Secretary of Latvian Rugby Federation