The Russians are coming
The first home fixture of the 2015/16 European Rugby Challenge Cup throws up new opposition for the Falcons with Russian newcomers Enisei STM the visitors on Sunday November 22.
Joining the competition for the first time, Enisei secured their place with a qualification play off win against Romanian side CSM Baia Mare 63 – 32 on aggregate over the summer.
Formed in 1975 as Trud Krasnoyarsk, the club, who play out of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, took its current name in 2000 and are the most recent champions of the Russian Professional Rugby League.
Located on the banks of Yenisei River, in the shadow of Stolby nature reserve, the city is the administrative centre of Krasnoyarsk Krai and is the second largest city in Siberia.
An important junction on the Trans-Siberian Railway, Krasnoyarsk was founded as a border fort in 1628 and has grown steadily as roads and railways connections developed.
Originally called Krasny Yar, the name Krasnoyarsk did not come into being until 1822 when the village that had grown up around the original fort was granted town status.
Described by the author Anton Chekhov as the most beautiful city in Siberia, the climate is of long cold winters and short warm summers. Average November temperatures are highs of -3.4 degrees Celsius and lows of -10.6.
The hardy folk of the city endure even colder temperatures around the time of the Falcons round five trip, with an average high of -11.4 and low of -19.2 degrees. As a result, that fixture will move to the Black Sea resort city of Sochi.
A centre for sport in the region, Krasnoyarsk is host to a number of top teams in their sports, including Bandy, Basketball and Women’s Volleyball.
The city has long been a stronghold for Rugby Union in Russia and is home to two professional teams, with Krasny Yar Krasnoyarsk alongside Enisei. The two club’s matches take precedence in local media reporting and derby matches between Enisei and Krasny Yar the two can attract crowds in excess of 5,000 fans.
For many years, the Russian Rugby Union was headquartered in the city and a large proportion of the national team hail from the area, with the Central Stadium playing host to some international games.
Boasting a squad full of Russian internationals and Georgian centre Davit Kacharava, who was part of the team that played at Kingston Park Stadium in the summer, the match promises to be a competitive game.
Tickets for the game are now on sale priced at £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s by [clicking here][1] calling 0871 2266060 or by visiting the Kingston Park box office.
For more details about other ticket options available for the game, [click here][2]
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/details/event.aspx?itemref=2855
[2]: http://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/rugby-for-a-tenner-returns-against-russians
