Hard on the heels of a visit from a Fijian Rugby Union delegation viewing Rugby World Cup facilities in the Bay of Plenty last week, was the arrival in the region on Saturday of two Russian Rugby Union personnel.
Russia, along with Fiji and Samoa, who all have Rugby World Cup games at the Rotorua International Stadium will prepare for their Bay of Plenty assignments in the region.

Russia is making its world cup debut in New Zealand in 2011.

Russian director of rugby Steve Diamond and Zorik Masandilov, who is the Russian Rugby general manger, were in the Bay of Plenty for a whistle stop tour of accommodation and facilities in both Rotorua and Tauranga.
The Russian delegation met with the Mayors of Rotorua and Tauranga to discuss community engagement in the region as well as viewing the required accommodation and training facilities in both cities.
Russia, which is playing in the Rugby World Cup for the first time, put together an audacious plan to play in the world cup just two years ago.
English based Steve Diamond was approached to put together an attempt for Russia to qualify for the 2011 RWC tournament in New Zealand.
Steve, who was appointed the Russian director of rugby, has an extensive playing and coaching career, which has included coaching England A in 2003 and 2004.
The Russian journey to grab the Europe number two spot at the 2011 RWC began in 2009 with qualifying games against Georgia, Romania, Portugal, Spain and Germany, with just Georgia providing the Russian national side with defeat.
Qualification for New Zealand got serious in 2010 with return matches against the European sides. While Georgia again beat the Russians to take the Europe top spot, the defining game was against Romania.
A 22-all draw with Romania coupled with defeats of the other European contenders was enough for the Russian side to book a berth for the 2011 Rugby World Cup finals.
While the Russians won't figure in many peoples' minds as contenders, they are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to be competitive in New Zealand in 2011.
In January next year the Russian team are coming to New Zealand to get a taste of playing in the country. Two games have been arranged in New Plymouth and Christchurch, which are two of the venues that the Russia will play at during the Rugby World Cup.