CURRENT Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow go into this weekend’s Carnegie Challenge Cup Third Round clash against Leigh determined to improve on the performance they produced when they last played the Centurions in the sport’s oldest and most historic knock-out cup competition.

Lokomotiv first entered the Challenge Cup in 2003 and Leigh were their first ever opponents.

That match finished 62–0 to the Lancashire side and the Russians have never made it past the third round since, losing to Chorley Lynx in 2004, Swinton Lions twice (2005 and 2007) and also Celtic Crusaders twice (2006 and 2008).

They are determined to perform better this time round and are keen to show that their club and the sport of Rugby League in Russia is moving forward.

“This is the seventh year that we’ve participated in the Carnegie Challenge Cup and every year we are very hopeful," said Lokomotiv head coach and general manager Evgeny Klebanov.

"We’ll be trying more than ever this season to make it through to the next round.

“We’ll be trying our utmost to ensure that we improve on the previous scoreline when we last played Leigh Centurions in 2003. We really believe we have improved enough to do that.”

He added: “If we were to win the match, it would be a very important step forward for us and would show everybody that we are making good progress in this sport.”

The Russian Rugby League season almost mirrors the playing season for the UK’s professional clubs with matches about to begin and the campaign concluding in October.

The sport in Russia has recently been boosted by the formation of a Russian Army Rugby League which will create additional opportunities for more regular organised competition.

* Tickets for the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final on Saturday 29 August at Wembley Stadium are still available, with prices starting from £21.

To purchase Carnegie Challenge Cup Final tickets call 0871 226 1313 or visit www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk