1980 CCCP Rugby Shirt

While Russian rugby today inspires more perplexity than admiration, Georgia's passion for the oval ball shows that this has not always been the case.

Rugby was played in the USSR and even gained quite a following in the 1960s. But let's be honest, that quickly died down. Some blame the cold weather. Those Soviets were a bunch of wimps.

Nevertheless, there is no room for complacency among the French, as France has rarely played against the USSR and the last time, in 1982, they lost. Yes, the USSR beat the French XV 12-6. It was in Mérignac as part of the FIRA Trophy contested by the many teams excluded from the Five Nations Tournament.

Yes, it was France's B team. But still.