Finland national rugby union team
 | |||
| Union | Suomen Rugbyliitto | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach(es) |
 Isaac Visser | ||
| Captain(s) |
 Aaro Katainen | ||
| Most caps |
Andras Devenyi (35) | ||
| |||
| First international | |||
Finland 0 - 60 Switzerland  (1982-05-22) | |||
| Largest win | |||
Finland 55 - 5 Estonia  (2010-10-02) | |||
| Largest defeat | |||
 Denmark 100 - 0 Finland (1987-10-10) | |||
The Finland national rugby union team represents Finland at the sport of rugby union. The nation has thus far not played in a Rugby World Cup, but has participated in qualifying tournaments. Finland also compete in the European Nations Cup, playing in Division 2D. They are currently ranked 100th in the World Rugby Rankings.[1]
History
Finland played their first ever rugby international in 1982 against Switzerland, which they lost. Finland went onto win their first international in 1991, defeating Norway 18 points to 3
They played Monaco in 2002. Finland's attempt to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France began in Round 1 of the European tournaments. They faced Bulgaria in a two match series as part of the Round 1 group to determine which nation would advance. Bulgaria won the first game 42 points to 3 in Helsinki and won the second leg 50 to 3 in Sofia to knock Finland out of the tournament.
Finland are currently 92nd out of 102 places in the World Rugby Rankings with a score of 29.89.
Record
| Against | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Win percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% |
 Bulgaria | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0% |
 Cyprus | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Denmark | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Estonia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
 Greece | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50% |
 Israel | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 20% |
 Luxembourg | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 16.66% |
 Monaco | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
 Norway | 8 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 12.5% |
 Slovenia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
 Sweden | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Switzerland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Total | 45 | 9 | 35 | 1 | 20% |
Current Squad
- This was the list of players called to represent Norwary vs. Finland, on October 18 for the 2014-2016 European Nations Cup - Pool Division 2D.
Forwards
Karl Filtness
Fred Harrison
Janne Heinänen
Rob Hussey
Aaro Katainen
Matti Keränen
Mauno Konttila
Aleksi Laitinen
Juha Rainvuori
Tatu Rantakokko
Riku Ryynänen
Kalle Salminen
Semu Salmivalli
Kalle Välimäki
Backs
Paddy Aunula
Christiaan Freeman
Thomas Finell
Kalle Helin
Arsi Kilpelänaho
Markku Kiviniemi
Elias Korhonen
Bernt Lindell
Risto Peltomäki
Valtteri Valtia
Jussi Viljanen
Coach: Bob Hussey
Assistant Coach: Isaac Visser
Physio: Anna Viljamaa
Team Manager: Stephen Whittaker
References
External links
- on IRB.com
- Rugby Finland
- Finland on RugbyData.com