Russian tour confirmed

Bradford will play Kazan Arrows

Two Russian teams will take part in a four-match UK tour in April, the Rugby Football League has confirmed.

The Damart Russian Tour will kick off with a match between Kazan Arrows and Super League champions Bradford Bulls on 25 April.

The Bulls will return to the Odsal Stadium, which has a reduced capacity of almost 6,000, to play the Russian champions.

On the same evening, Dewsbury Rams will play Locomotiv Moscow, the Russian Cup winners.

  Tour itinerary

25 April (1930 BST)
Bradford v Kazan
Dewsbury v Moscow

28 April (1830 BST)
Hull KR v Kazan
Workington v Moscow

Moscow will then meet Hull KR at Craven Park on 28 April with Kazan taking a trip to Workington's Derwent Park on the same date.

The tour is being seen as a precursor to the teams being invited to participate in the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Challenge Cup next season.

The knockout competition was expanded this season to include four French teams.

The Russian clubs will be guests at the cup final at Murrayfield, which takes place in April.

"The tour will be useful to ascertain the logistics of getting the teams over here to play matches and to gauge at what stage they should enter the Challenge Cup," said tour director Neil Wood.

Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble said: "We're delighted to assist with the development of the game in Russia.

"Developing the game worldwide is something to which we are very committed.

"Rugby League needs a strong international competition and this game gives us the opportunity to raise the profile of the sport not only in this country but also across the globe".