Vasily sets new target

Dubai: Having led Russia to the Shield honours, Vasily Artemyev has turned his attention to this week's South Africa Sevens in George.

Artemyev, who scored eight tries during Russia's first outing at the Dubai Sevens, is joint second in the highest try-scorer competition alongside Samoan Mikaele Pesamino. The pair scored one less than leaders Clinton Sills of Australia and New Zealander Sherwin Stowers.

Artemyev ran in all three tries as Russia beat Portugal 17-14 to claim the Shield, which was also the Russians' first piece of silverware. And he said: "It's our first time here as a national team and I think it was a great team effort."

Artemyev said Sevens is growing in leaps and bounds in Russia with a year-long circuit that has caught the attention of the public.

He added that Russia's victory in Dubai would help to further boost the profile of the sport back home.

"It's going to do great things for Sevens development in Russia, and we're looking to build on this in South Africa next week. I think rugby in Russia is building all the time. I think that a lot of youngsters can try and come into this sport and experience what we've experienced here."