Biography

Vasiliy Grigoryevich Artemiev is a Russian professional rugby player who plays as a three-quarter defender (winger) or trailing (full-back) for the Russian team CSKA. The best rugby player of Russia in 2015 and 2018. TV presenter on Match TV and STS channels. Vasily started playing rugby at the age of 9 at the Sports School of Zelenograd. Before starting high school, he went to Ireland, graduated from Blackrock College. He entered the University College Dublin at the Faculty of Law, where he was invited by the dean of the faculty, a fan of rugby. In exchange for studying at the Faculty of Law, Vasiliy received the right to a place in the rugby team and a special scholarship. In 2009 he successfully graduated from the university, having passed the final exams. As a university student, Vasiliy played for the youth squad of the Leinster team, the main team of which plays in Pro12 and the Heineken Cup. In 2009, Vasiliy returned to Russia, joining the VVA-Podmoskovye team. In mid-February 2011, Vasily sensationally moved to England, signing a two-year contract with the Northampton Saints team (previously, the Sale Sharks tried to lure him into their squad). He became vice-champion and champion of England together with the team. In 2014, he signed a three-year contract with Krasny Yar. In 2014, he was recognized as the best player on the team. After the end of the 2019 championship, he moved to CSKA Moscow. Artemiev was noted for a series of performances for the junior national team of Ireland, being a student. Since 2009, he has been playing for the Russian national team: from January to April, he was at the training camp of the Russian team, leaving its location in May before the exams. In 2010, Vasiliy played three meetings at the Churchill Cup and, thanks to his performances, attracted the attention of Northampton Saints scouts: in one of the meetings, he single-handedly bypassed all the defenders and broke through to the end zone. In 2011, he competed at the World Championship in New Zealand, scoring 5 points thanks to a completed try against Ireland. At the 2019 World Cup in Japan, Vasiliy Artemiev was the captain of the Russian team, playing all 4 matches.