It will be father against son at the Slava Stadium in Moscow today when Russia continue their build-up to the Rugby World Cup with a game against Jersey Reds.
The Bears were due to play Georgia this week, but that game was cancelled on security grounds. They then invited Cardiff Blues to fill the gap, but they ultimately declined.
But a conversation between Russian head coach Lyn Jones – former Dragons and Ospreys chief – and his son, Luc, the new Jersey scrum-half, helped to pave the way for one of the most notable fixtures in the 140-year history of the island club.
The English Championship club headed to Moscow on Sunday and will have three Welsh players in their starting line-up.
Jones starts at scrum-half, Rory Bartle plays in the back row, and Tom Williams is at full back.
Jones joined Jersey from Richmond in the summer, following in the footsteps of fellow Wales Under 20 cap Bartle. Former Wales Sevens cap Williams joined from Cardiff Blues in the close season.
Currently ranked at No. 20 in the World Rugby rankings, the Russians have won four of their nine games this year and are preparing for the honour of playing in the opening game of the World Cup against host nation Japan in Tokyo on 20 September.
Jones is using the game against Jersey as a final chance for his players to push for a place in his squad for Japan, although they are likely to have one final match before departing.
They recently spent a couple of days training against Guinness PRO14 side Zebre in Parma.
As well as playing Japan, they also meet Samoa, Ireland and Scotland in Pool A at what will be only their second World Cup tournament.
Another Welshman, Kingsley Jones, was their head coach in 2011, when they lost all four games to the USA (13-6), Italy (53-17), Ireland (62-12) and Australia (68-22).
In their last international outing earlier this month they were beaten 85-17 by Italy.
