Twinkle toes Vasily danced a merry jig at Blackrock

ONE of Blackrock’s more exotic recent products is Russia’s captain Vasily Artemyev, who made such a big impression at RWC2019, first for his fine play at full-back and second for his entertaining post-match interviews which were given in an intriguing Dublin-Cossack brogue.

Artemyev was a keen young player in Moscow before his enlightened parents sent him to Blackrock as a border at the age of 15 to broaden his education and learn some English with a view to becoming a lawyer. Oh and to play some rugby.

He proved a success in both respects, earning a place at UCD to study law, while proving to be a star turn as an exceptionally fast, elusive, back three player. During his four years at Blackrock he helped them to one junior and two senior titles – he was only on the losing side once in 16 Cup appearances.

Blackrock were happy to put out various rumours to wind up opponents: That they had sent scouts to check out Artemyev after hearing reports on his prowess from rugby loving barmen at Donoghue’s Bar in Moscow or there was the one that he had switched to rugby from ballet. The latter had a smidgen of truth. His great aunt Maria Bylova was a legendary prima ballerina at the Bolshoi and he had attended ballet classes as a youngster before deciding he preferred athletics and rugby.

Artemyev’s year group was a high class vintage, including Ian Madigan, Niall Morris and Luke Fitzgerald, who became a particular mate, with Artemyev often going on holidays with the Fitzgeralds and spending one Christmas with them.

He made an impact right from the off, scoring a hat-trick in the Junior final against Gonzaga in 2003 and off the back of his Blackrock heroics he was capped by Ireland at Schools and U19 level and had been included in the Ireland U20 squad for the Junior World Cup in Dubai when he was withdrawn at the last minute.

The IRB ruled that although Artemyev had been a border at Blackrock for four years, Dublin wasn’t his place of residence and that he was not therefore eligible for Ireland.

With a three-year law course at UCD beckoning – which would have counted for residency – and an Academy contract with Leinster he could have still qualified for Ireland but this was the moment he decided to go the Russian route. He was soon playing Sevens for Russia, before making a good impact at RWC2011 after which he signed for Northampton. It was at the World Cup in New Zealand that he enjoyed one of the best moments of his career slicing past Rob Kearney and Jamie Heaslip to score a cracking try.