Latvia national rugby union team
| Union | Latvian Rugby Federation | |
|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Mārcis Rullis | |
| Captain | Elmārs Šefanovskis | |
| Top scorer | Roberts Džo Davidsons (209 points) | |
| ||
| World Rugby ranking | ||
| Current | 63 (as of 20 October 2025) | |
| Highest | 58 (12 August 2019) | |
| First international | ||
| Latvia 3 - 28 Georgia (1992-07-19) | ||
| Biggest win | ||
| Latvia 89 - 0 Bulgaria (1997-05-10) | ||
| Biggest defeat | ||
| Latvia 3 - 57 Lithuania (2011-04-30) | ||
| World Cup | ||
| Appearances | 0 | |
| Website | https://rugby-latvia.lv/page/v-r15-izlase | |
The Latvia national rugby union team (Latvian: Latvijas regbija XV izlase or Latvijas regbija-15 izlase) represents Latvia at the sport of rugby union. They are governed by the Latvijas Regbija federācija and have been playing international rugby since the early 1990s. They have played most of their games in the Daugava Stadium in Riga or the Baldone Stadium in Baldone, Ķekava Municipality.
Currently, the team competes in the Rugby Europe Conference Pool A. The national side is currently ranked 63rd in the world (as of 20 October 2025).[1] The current head coach since 21 October is former Latvian bobsledder Mārcis Rullis, who replaced fellow Latvian Kristaps Staņa.
History
With rugby union in Latvia introduced in 1960 during the Soviet occupation, the national team was formed soon after the restoration of independence. In 1991 Latvia joined the International Rugby Football Board and in 1992 - the Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur. The first international game took place against Georgia on 19 July 1992, ending in a 3–28 loss. In 1993, the team entered its first tournament, the 1995 Rugby World Cup European qualification.[2]
Rugby has increased in popularity in Latvia recently due to a rise in form. Despite minimal playing numbers, Latvia continues to compete at a high level and had an outside chance of finishing top of Division 2A of the European Nations Cup in 2008. However, their hopes took a massive blow, when they failed to capitalise on Poland's surprise home defeat to Croatia, losing 16-13 to Malta in Paola. Latvia is an improving rugby team as now more players are playing in Russia, Germany, and Canada.
Latvia won the 2018–19 Rugby Europe Conference 2 North and was promoted to Rugby Europe Conference 1 North for the 2019–20 season. Conference 1 North became Conference Pool A for the 2023–24 season, with Latvia winning the pool, although not advancing to the Rugby Europe Trophy division.
Overall record
Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Latvia national XV at test level up until 31 October 2025, updated after match with Norway.
| Against | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andorra | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Austria | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Belgium | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% |
| Bulgaria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Croatia | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 25% |
| Cyprus | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Czech Republic | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Denmark | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25% |
| Estonia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Finland | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
| Georgia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Germany | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Hungary | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Israel | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67% |
| Lithuania | 12 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 41.67% |
| Luxembourg | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Malta | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28.57% |
| Netherlands | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Norway | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Poland | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Serbia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 66.67% |
| Sweden | 13 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 30.77% |
| Switzerland | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75% |
| Ukraine | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.33% |
| Total | 98 | 46 | 51 | 1 | 46.94% |
Current squad
The roster for the 2018–19 Rugby Europe Conference 2 North tournament match against Norway:[3]
| No. | Name | Position | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guntis Cirša | RK Miesnieki | |
| 2 | Ingus Aivars | RK Eži | |
| 3 | Māris Robežnieks | RK Miesnieki | |
| 4 | Māris Streikišs | RK Eži | |
| 5 | Emīls Zerafims | RK Jūrmala | |
| 6 | Janeks Taškāns | RK Livonia | |
| 7 | Roberts Miksons | RK Livonia | |
| 8 | Ainārs Bērziņš | RK Livonia | |
| 9 | Valters Raņķis | RK Livonia | |
| 10 | Tomass Davidsons | Wharfedale RUFC | |
| 11 | Ivo Kapiņš | RK Livonia | |
| 12 | Viljams Davidsons | Preston Grasshopers | |
| 13 | Dāvis Bajārs | RK Fēnikss | |
| 14 | Vigo Valdavs | RK Livonia | |
| 15 | Roberts Džo Davidsons | Wharfedale RUFC | |
| 16 | Vladislavs Šagins | Rugby Rovigo Delta | |
| 17 | Arturs Baranovskis | RK Jūrmala | |
| 18 | Kaspars Briedis | RK Livonia | |
| 19 | Kristaps Martinsons | RK Livonia | |
| 20 | Adrians Lovkins | RK Fēnikss | |
| 21 | Niks Voitečko | RK Livonia | |
| 22 | Ruslans Kotļevs | RK Eži | |
| 23 | Kristaps Bērze | RK Sigulda |
Notable players
- Uldis Saulīte, 28 Caps, Captain of professional Russian rugby side Yenisey-STM, (2000-present),[4]
- Jurijs Baranovs, plays for professional Russian rugby side Ensiey-STM, (2001-present),[5]
- Roberts Džo Davidsons, top points scorer (20 caps, 209 points),[6]
References
- ^ worldrugby.org. "Women's and Men's Rankings | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 2025-10-23.
- ^ Girvičs, Kristiāns. "Regbijs Latvijā | Nacionālā enciklopēdija". Latvian National Encyclopedia (in Latvian).
- ^ "2018-19 REIC Men XV - M2 NORWAY Vs. LATVIA". Rugby Europe. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2019-08-18.
- ^ "Досье: Саулите Улдис / РК "Енисей-СТМ" - официальный сайт". www.enisei-stm.ru. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- ^ "Досье: Баранов Юрий / РК "Енисей-СТМ" - официальный сайт". www.enisei-stm.ru. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
- ^ "Settle's Robbie Davidson breaks Latvian points record". Craven Herald. 2019-07-18. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
External links
- Official website (in Latvian)