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2015 Rugby World Cup: Russia beat Uruguay in playoff first-leg

Image: Rugby World Cup: Russia take the lead into the play-off second-leg

Russia beat Uruguay in the first leg playoff for the last spot at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Russia capitalised on their home advantage to win a tightly-contested game 22-21 in Krasnoyarsk.

The Russians, aiming to qualify for the competition for only the second time, trailed 16-21 at half-time.

The playoff winner will take the 20th spot at next year's World Cup and will be in Pool A with hosts England, Australia, Wales and Fiji.

Uruguay have played at two previous World Cups in 1999 and 2003, while Russia are aiming to make their second appearance.

The second leg is to take place in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo on October 11.                 

Russia coach Raphael Saint-Andre said: "We need to improve our discipline. We had two yellow cards today that cost us a lot. In the second half we had too many penalties against. It is why they came back into the game. 

"So with a bit more discipline, we have got a chance in Montevideo. Today their kicker was on fire and maybe it won't be the same in two weeks."

Uruguay fly-half Felipe Berchesi kicked all of his team's points and the South Americans were even ahead at 21-19 with 14 minutes left before opposite number Yuri Kushnarev knocked over the decisive penalty in the 73rd minute.

Berchesi had a chance to win the match in the dying moments but he saw his well-struck penalty from 35 metres out sail just wide of the post.

"It was a close game. We made some mistakes when we had two more players on the field which probably cost us the game," said Uruguay coach Pablo Lemoine.

"It was a classic game between the sides ranked 19th and 20th in the IRB rankings."          

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