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One of Wales’ regions could be heading for Siberia in their European campaign next season - and a city where temperatures reach an average of -21°C.

Russian champions RC Yenisei-STM have qualified for the second-tier Challenge Cup, which will feature at least two Welsh teams.

They secured their spot by beating Romanian club Baia Mare 63-32 on aggregate over two legs, making history as the first Russian side to gain entry into European cup rugby.

The club, which was founded in 1975, is based in Krasnoyarsk, the third largest city in Siberia after Novosibirsk and Omsk.

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Winters there are very long and cold with temperatures averaging -21°C. The coldest ever Krasnoyarsk January temperature on record was -52.8°C.

That could now be the destination for either Cardiff Blues or the Dragons who will take part in the Challenge Cup next season.

Their might yet be a third Welsh side in that competition, with the Scarlets battling it out with Edinburgh and Connacht for passage to the top-tier Champions Cup.

They are currently in the final automatic qualification spot in the Pro12 with two rounds of matches left to play.

Group stage games will take place between the middle of November and end of January next season because of the World Cup. Teams will discover their fate next month when the groups are drawn.

Krasnoyarsk factfile