Sweden make a welcome comeback to international 15s this weekend when they take on Finland in Myllypuro, an eastern suburb of Helsinki.

It will be the side’s first game since they played a similar friendly fixture against the Netherlands in 2014, in memory of long-standing team manager Patrice Johansson who sadly passed away.

That game also marked the 30th anniversary of Sweden’s first test against the same opponents but the recent emphasis on sevens has meant 15s has taken a back seat - until now.

Under head coach Jonas Ahl, Sweden are determined to reclaim their place amongst the game’s elite and compete at the next Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2021.

“We think we have a good chance to qualify,” said Ahl. “We have a lot of players coming through the sevens programme and we’re better skilled and better trained than before. Looking at the Women’s World Cup this year, there were some games of a very good standard but I feel we can compete.”

CROSSING OVER

Despite their inactivity on the international stage, Sweden are ranked 18th in the world with Finland 45th, and while this non-capped match does not count towards the rankings, a winning return is expected.

“It is a really young squad and one that I am excited about because there is a lot of talent. We have a lot of crossover athletes, from handball, athletics, gymnastics and other sports," declared Ahl.

“I think we are going to win (in Finland) but the result isn’t the be-all and end-all, the important thing is that we play a modern style of rugby and see how the new girls react to playing test rugby and for their country and what it stands for.

“Traditionally, Sweden’s strength has always been in the pack because quite a few of the clubs play a forwards-orientated game, but that is shifting, mainly due to the sevens influence, to a more open game.

“One thing remains the same though, Swedish teams always fight for each other.”

ENGLISH INFLUENCE

Ahl, a servant of Swedish women’s rugby for the best part of two decades, enlisted the help of an English coaching brains trust including ex-England WRWC-winning coach Gary Street earlier this year to accelerate their learning process.

As a result, highly-respected former RFU Women’s U20 coach Kevin Moggridge (pictured with England head coach Eddie Jones) has come on board as forwards consultant for the Finland game and the tour match against the British Police planned for 19 November.

Moggridge, once a contestant on UK TV show Deal or No Deal, is used to thinking outside the box and has taken Avonvale RFC, a small village men’s team on the outskirts of Bath, to within three rungs of the National League ladder as well as achieving success elsewhere.

“Kevin is very experienced and puts across information very well," explained Ahl. "He is very modern in his approach in that he asks questions of the players and empowers them to find the solution. He is a really friendly guy who people find easy to talk to and always has a smile on his face.”

EQUALITY

While the Swedish public has been starved of seeing their own team in action in recent times, television coverage of the Women’s Six Nations and live streaming of WRWC 2017 has helped keep the sport in the nation’s consciousness. The hope is that soon, they will have their own heroes to cheer on.

“We still have a long way to go but it (women’s rugby) is picking up and it is healthy, there are a lot of girls with new clubs who want to play the game," Ahl said.

“It is really important because Swedish society is all about equality, and we really like to promote a positive atmosphere around women’s rugby. Any healthy rugby club in Sweden has a women’s team as well as a men’s - whether that’s 15s, sevens or a combination of the two.”