Minnows Russia are looking to start their Rugby World Cup campaign with a bang against traditional rivals the USA.
The Russian team, known as The Bears, are World Cup debutants and kick off their Pool C campaign against the United States in New Plymouth next Thursday.
In a group that also boasts Australia, Ireland and Italy, the clash with the Americans will be their best chance of tasting victory, and number eight Vyacheslav Grachev said he and his team-mates were targeting a win.
"We knew two months ago that our first game would be against the United States," said Grachev.
"It's our most important match. We want to seize this unique opportunity and to make this dream come true."
Back-row forward Andrei Ostrikov believes his country's participation in this year's World Cup will sow the seeds for the game to grow and improve in Russia.
"Part of the motivation for us in the World Cup is to create a cycle," said Ostrikov.
"We want to play well enough for some more players to catch the eye of some top clubs in Europe so they can go and get the experience."
"If that happens then we can come back in four years time as a much better team."
Key players for the Russians include Australian Adam Byrnes, who plays for the Melbourne Rebels and qualifies through his mother's Russian parents, while Bears captain Vladislov Korshunov plays for Russian club VVA-Podmoskovye as a hooker.
Follow ITV Rugby on Twitter