Lithuania round off the first half of the Conference for 2017 – 2018 when they meet the other undefeated team, Ukraine, in Siauliai the heart of Lithuanian rugby. The winner very likely to be promoted to the European Trophy level next Summer.
Lithuania came away strongly in the second half in their only game so far against Latvia, ending up with a 5 – 1 try count. Ukraine had an unconvincing win against Sweden, although they still got a bonus point in the 4 – 1 try count.
Ukraine are not the team they were, for a number of obvious reasons. As far as I can see they fielded an all domestic team against Sweden with 10 – 11 of them from Olymp Kharkiv and the rest from Odessa, but there were conflicting team lists. There are reported to be changes for today´s game, but once again unclear.
Lithuania are a better organised team and have much sharper backs, while Ukraine still has a powerful pack. Conditions are said to be dry and I would take Lithuania to win narrowly although it should be a fight to the death. Watch the game on Rugby Europé TV, it could be entertaining.