Russia moves into semis at European rugby sevens

Lyon - Russia advanced to the semifinals of the rugby sevens Grand Prix Series here today with a convincing 19-7 win over Scotland.

Russia have steam-rolled the opposition in the competition thus far, winning four of their five matches in the two-day opening round. They beat Germany, Italy, Portugal and Scotland by a combined score of 110-26. A 14-17 loss came at the hands of the hosts France, who finished atop Pool B with a 5-0 record.

In the semifinals later Sunday, Russia face Pool A leader Wales while France take on England.

The Lyon tournament, held at Matmut Stadium, is the first leg of the sevens European championship which wraps up in England in late September. It is widely seen as a brush-up for the World Cup in Moscow later this month.

Russia has finished fourth the last two years after winning the European championship in 2007 and 2009.