“Stuart has good experience now with the Ireland side and this is reward for his commitment to the team over the last five years,” said coach Andy Kelly.

“He has always been available and has worked hard to make himself available.”

Ireland have been hit by the withdrawal of Littler’s Salford team-mate Karl Fitzpatrick and Warrington prop Ben Harrison, whose place has been taken by York’s Dave Buckley, but Kelly is pleased with the side he has assembled.

“We’re looking okay,” he said. “We’ve been able to account for the withdrawals because we’ve had a bigger squad to choose from this time.”

Ireland won 50-12 in Moscow 12 months ago when the Russians used a handful of Australian-based players but Kelly is steadfastly refusing to underestimate his side’s opponents, who are once more an unknown quantity.

Their squad is dominated by players from Lokomotiv Moscow, who recently defeated local rivals Vereya to win the domestic title, ending the reign of Strela Kazan.

“Looking at their playing roster, it’s changed dramatically from the last time we played them,” said Kelly. “There is a bigger influence from the Russian league sides and we’re expecting a very physical challenge.”

Viktor Nechaev, one of 15 Locomotiv players in the 20-man squad, said: “This game is very important to us and we have a great spirit among the totally home-produced squad.

“We know how difficult it is going to be. They are a good side but we are still hoping to give them a good game.”