The Russian national side, the Bears, on Friday lost the first game of its British tour to top-level English rugby club Northampton Saints – 19:54 (12:26).
The current tour is the final test for the Russian team before Russia’s first-ever appearance at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in September.
The Bears, dominated by players from Russian champions VVA-Podmoskovye, will play another three games against Newport Gwent Dragons (Wales) on August 16, Ospreys (Wales) on August 21 and Gloucester (England) on August 26.
The team will return to Russia for a brief rest prior to traveling to New Zealand.
The Russian side will be in Group C where they will face the United States (September 15), Italy (September 20), Ireland (September 25), and Australia (October 1).