Northampton Saints winger Vasily Artemyev can help take Russia towards the top of world game

Henry Paul has hailed Northampton wing Vasily Artemyev as an inspiration for aspiring Russian stars and reckons the country can become a major rugby power.
Former Rugby League star Paul, who switched codes and played both 15s and Sevens for England, is now revelling in his job as Russia’s backs and skills coach.
Rugby in Russia has received a number of notable boosts in recent times and, having reached their first-ever World Cup in New Zealand last year, Kingsley Jones’ men are gearing up for the 2015 World Cup.
Ex-Gloucester man Paul, who won a handful of senior England caps, will be in charge of Russia when they host the 2013 Sevens World Cup next year and he reckons the country will continue to make big strides.
“Russia really is an emerging rugby nation,” said Paul, who works with the 15s and Sevens side on a consultancy basis.
“I’m Russia’s Sevens coach after a long career playing League and Union, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
“Sevens is very, very Rugby League-orientated so I think it’s given me a bit of a head start on my coaching.
“There’s a bit of a communication problem. But it’s not been too much of an obstacle because the Russian guys are clever people, some speak a couple of languages, and they can play rugby.
“It’s really trying to give them some systems and patterns. We’ve got some really talented players and a couple of boys who are over in the UK.
“Vasily Artemyev at Northampton is a great role model and is really forging a name for Russian players.
“If we can get a couple more players playing abroad then it will give them more experience because that’s what they lack.”
Paul, who ended his playing career at Leeds, still lives in England but frequently travels to Russia for work.
The New Zealander added: “England is home now. But I work on a consultancy basis in Russia and go back and forth regularly. There are so many tournaments during the summer but it’s been good.
“You’ve got to work with who you’ve got and I’m really working on my communication skills.
“I’m learning Russian and how to explain the rugby nuances, like the deft passes and all the little things that go with playing at the highest level. You play club stuff and then you go to international level and you’re up against South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Portugal.
“Every nation now in Sevens is building up because of the Olympics.
“They’re taking it very seriously and putting a lot of money into preparing players to play at the highest level.”
ROSS HAPPENSTALL