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Watch: Sale sign 'big, dynamic' Russian international prop with pace to burn

Valery Morozov, in action for Russia last year, has joined Bath. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Sale Sharks have signed pacy Russian loosehead prop Valery Morozov from Enesei-STM.

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The 24-year-old has 15 Russian caps, and last played for his country alongside long-serving Sale lock Andrei Ostrikov against Japan in November.

That match took place at Gloucester’s Kingsholm, with Japan edging it 32-27 and Morozov’s performance may have helped convince Steve Diamond.

Morozov is 1.9 metres tall and weighs 118kgs. He will link up with the Gallagher Premiership club at Carrington in the New Year.

Morozov is ranked as the 27th-best loosehead in international rugby in the RugbyPass Index, with an overall RPI score of 68. His leading figure is his scrum score, 77.

Morozov certainly captured the attention of would-be suitors with a brilliant 80-metre solo try (below) for Enesei-STM in a European Rugby Continental Shield match last season, demonstrating some serious power and pace.

https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanRugbyChampionsCup/videos/1679759045412904/

Morozov would help Enesei-STM go on to lift that trophy by beating Heidelberger RK 24-20 in the Continental Shield final in Gexto, Spain last May to make it back-to-back titles.

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Sale Sharks’ Director of Rugby Steve Diamond said, “Andrei Ostrikov and Vadim Cobilas first made me aware of Valery’s abilities, and we kept a watch on him for the past twelve months whilst he was playing for Enesei.

“He’s a big, dynamic, scrummaging prop and front row players with his skill set are few and far between.

“We look forward to welcoming him to Carrington on 2nd January to bolster our options in the front row as we move into 2019.

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The move will be a boost to Russia coach Lyn Jones, who’ll have another of his squad testing themselves at a higher level ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Russia are in Pool A with Ireland, Scotland, hosts Japan and Samoa.

Watch: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide – Kumamoto

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AM 37 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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