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Georgia national rugby union team

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For the sevens team, see Georgia national rugby sevens team.

Georgia
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknamesBorjgalosnebi
Lelos
EmblemBorjgali
UnionGeorgian Rugby Union
Most capsDavit Kacharava (122)
Top scorerMerab Kvirikashvili (838)
Top try scorerAka Tabutsadze (40)
Home stadiumVarious
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current12 (as of 17 November 2024)
Highest11 (2016, 2019, 2023)
Lowest23 (2004)
First international
 Georgia 16–3 Zimbabwe 
(Kutaisi, Georgia; 12 September 1989)
Biggest win
 Georgia 98–3 Czech Republic 
(Tbilisi, Georgia; 7 April 2007)
Biggest defeat
 England 84–6 Georgia 
(Perth, Australia; 12 October 2003)
World Cup
Appearances6 (First in 2003)
Best resultPool stage (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023)
Websiterugby.ge/nationalteam

The Georgia national rugby union team,[1] nicknamed The Lelos,[2] is administered by the Georgian Rugby Union. The team takes part in the annual Rugby Europe Championship, and the Rugby World Cup which takes place every four years and in which it has appeared continuously since 2003.

Georgia is currently considered one of the strongest second-tier rugby union nation. It is one of the world's fastest-growing rugby nations.[citation needed] The Lelos participate in the Rugby Europe Championship, winning the tournament in 2001 and every year since 2006–08, with the exception of 2017. The bulk of the national squad are based in France, in both the Top 14 and lower divisions. This is a practice that was popularised by the former national team coach, Claude Saurel, a Frenchman. Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Georgia, with many similarities to the ancient Georgian folk-sport of Lelo burti, from which the national team derives its nickname. The national team qualified for the Rugby World Cup six times, first in 2003 – playing against rugby powers such as England and South Africa. The Lelos won their first ever World Cup match in 2007, when they beat Namibia 30–0. Since 2013, Georgia has hosted the World Rugby Tbilisi Cup.

Honours

[edit]

History

[edit]
Main article: Rugby union in Georgia

Soviet era

[edit]

There were several unsuccessful attempts to introduce a rugby union into Georgia, the earliest known being in 1928, with subsequent attempts also in 1940 and in 1948. Rugby was introduced to Georgia by Jacques Haspekian, an Armenian man from Marseille in France who taught the game to students in the late 1950s through to the mid-1960s, although he then subsequently returned in France. He is still alive and living in Marseilles, he was interviewed on French radio on the occasion of Georgia playing France in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The first rugby session was held on 15 October 1959 in Tbilisi, at the racecourse, where 20 people attended the meeting. The first Georgian club formed was the GPI (Georgian Polytechnical Institute), now known as "Qochebi".

Rugby's popularity in Georgia might be explained by its resemblance to the traditional Georgian game named "Lelo" or "Lelo Burti" (meaning "Field Ball"). This game was played in Georgia from ancient times and is still played on occasions in rural areas. A field ("Lelo") was selected between two river creeks which represented a playing ground. Two teams, usually consisting of the male population of neighboring villages, would face each other. The number of players from each side was not set, but included any able men each village could summon. A large, heavy ball was placed in the middle of the field and the goal of the game was to carry it over the river creek of the opposing side.

The first teams appeared in 1959. The Georgia Rugby Union was founded in 1964, but until the late 1980s it was part of the Soviet Union's rugby federation. The rugby union connection between France and Georgia started as links were established by the then powerful French Communist Party and many other left-wing organisations. Georgia initially did not have its own team and its best players would play for the USSR team.

In 1988 Georgia produced their first national sevens side, while still a Soviet republic. In September 1989, Georgia got together with other FIRA countries to host a tour by Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's first match on the tour was in the wet against Georgia in Kutaisi, west of Tbilisi, which Georgia won 16–3. The next year Georgia went to Zimbabwe where they played two tests, losing the first in Bulawayo and winning the second 26–10 in Harare.

1990s

[edit]

On 9 April 1991 Georgia declared independence from the Soviet Union. Georgia was now a rugby union nation but getting matches was not easy: Commonwealth of Independent States, which Georgia did not join, was the successor team of the Soviet Union and played matches in 1992. Georgia were limited to the odd game against Ukraine until they gained membership of the World Rugby in 1992.

French coach, Claude Saurel, first arrived in Georgia in 1997 with a brief to assess the standard of sport; he and his development team have helped boost the profile of the sport. Saurel went on to work with the Georgia national rugby sevens team, until he was appointed as the national coach in the summer of 1999.

Georgia's 1998 loss to Romania saw them play a two legged repechage play-off against Tonga to qualify for the 1999 World Cup. On that occasion Georgia lost the first leg 37–6 in Nukuʻalofa before a 28–27 win in Tbilisi. This was not enough and Georgia failed to qualify.

2000s: World Cup play

[edit]
Georgia against the Springboks during the Rugby World Cup 2003
Georgian team celebrating victory

After France and Italy dropped from the reborn European Nations Cup, Georgia became a major force in the tournament. In 2000, Georgia finished second in the competition, finishing behind Romania. Rugby union took off in the country, the travel and opportunities to land lucrative contracts in France made rugby union a glamorous pursuit in Georgia. Georgia placed second in the 2001–02 tournament. When Georgia played Russia in the European Nations Cup 65,000 people crammed into the national stadium in Tbilisi.

Georgian first made an impact at Rugby Sevens by finishing a respectable 10th in the 2001 edition of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Argentina.

In October 2002 Georgia faced Russia, in what was at the time one of the most important clashes ever between the two national sides. The victorious nation would head to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and the loser would be relegated to fight it out for a repechage position. Neither nation had ever been to a World Cup, though Georgia had come close in 1999. 50,000[3] spectators turned out to the national stadium. Both nations kicked penalty goals in the first half, but Russia moved ahead with a 13–9 lead through a try, but Georgia were able to score a try of their own just before half time, with Levan Tsabadze putting them in front 14–13 at the break. Georgia held on, winning 17–13, a victory which sparked celebrations throughout the capital.[4] Three of the 75 French-based Georgian players were denied permission to play in the tournament and were suspended. Another five were sacked and arrived in Australia as free agents. In a warm-up game held in Asti the Georgians lost to Italians 31–22.

In the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Georgia were grouped into pool C alongside giants – South Africa and England. They suffered their heaviest ever defeat when beaten by England 84–6 in their opening game. In their second match, Samoa comfortably eased to a 46–9 victory. Although they performed well against the Springboks (losing 46–19) they were disappointingly defeated by Uruguay 24–12, in a match that they were expected to win. They lost all four of their matches but had impressed against South Africa. Despite the sad financial state of their union, qualification has seen the sport's profile rise throughout Georgia.

Lineout for Georgia during their loss to Ireland in the 2007 World Cup.

In the 2007 Rugby World Cup Georgia were drawn against Argentina, Ireland, Namibia and tournament hosts France in Pool D. The team recorded their first win in the rugby world cup with a 30–0 win over Namibia in their Pool D match at Stade Felix-Bollaert. The foundation for the victory was laid by Georgia's experienced forward pack who wore down their opponents at the breakdown. The 2007 world cup campaign is also well remembered for Georgians by a brilliant display against Ireland, where Georgia narrowly lost the match 10–14. The tournament was over with 7–64 defeat to hosts France on 30 September.

2010–2019

[edit]
Georgia vs Romania at Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North. Georgia won 25–9.

At 2011 Rugby World Cup, Georgia's Pool B included England, Argentina and Scotland, as well as local rivals Romania. Despite the close nature of their pool, Georgia were impressive in all matches, including a tight match against Scotland which was lost 15–6, thus missing a bonus point narrowly and a 41–10 loss against England, which featured a man-of-the-match performance by flanker Mamuka Gorgodze. Georgia went on to record only their second ever Rugby World Cup win against Romania, winning 25–9 with another man-of-the-match performance by Mamuka Gorgodze. Georgia finished their campaign with a strong showing against Argentina, leading 7–5 at half time before conceding 20 unanswered points to lose 25–7. Thus Georgia finished their campaign with 1 win and 3 losses.

In the 2015 Rugby World Cup Georgia played against Tonga, Argentina, title holders New Zealand and the top African qualifier Namibia in Pool C. The group opener finished with Georgia's 17–10 victory against Tonga. their third win in a World Cup match. Georgia lost their second match against Argentina 9–54, after trailing 14–9 at half-time. In the third match Georgia were defeated by New Zealand 43–10 in Cardiff. Again in the first half The Lelos held very well against the All Blacks, trailing the world champions 22–10. In the last match Georgia defeated Namibia 17–16 to finish third, their highest in a world cup, and securing their qualification for 2019 Rugby World Cup at the same time.

Georgia vs Japan at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in 2014
Georgia vs Japan at Toyota Stadium in 2018

In 2016, Georgia once again cemented its claim to be the seventh best national rugby team in Europe, when they won the European Nations Cup for the sixth consecutive time, with 10 wins from 10 matches. In the 2016 mid-year internationals the Lelos traveled to the Pacific islands for the first time and finished the historic tour unbeaten with 19–19 draw against Samoa, 23–20 victory against Tonga and 14–3 victory against Fiji.

2019 World Cup

[edit]

Georgia is approaching the 2019 World Cup with confidence, it has just won three of the four European Nations Championship and has a squad that combines youth (Abzhandadze, Kveseladze) and experience (Mamukashvili, Chilachava, Bregvadze). The Georgian federation aims to reproduce the same performance as in 2015 by finishing third in the group. However, Georgia inherits a strong field made up of Australia, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay. On 23 September, the Lelos began the competition by facing Wales with a 43–14 for the British. Six days later, Uruguay faced the Georgians, four days after the South Americans created the feat by beating the Fijians 30–27. Final score for the Lelos 33–7. Georgia then meets Fiji, their rival for third place which means automatic qualification for 2023 in a 10–45 match for the islanders where we will see 3/4 Georgians. Georgia ended up with an honorable 27–8 defeat against the already qualified Australians. The results are disappointing for the Georgians. The team finished fourth behind Fiji and will have to go through the qualification box for 2023. During this Cup, Georgia showed progress but still lacks organization from an offensive point of view, individual and collective quality for three quarters. and often breaks down during the hour of play on a physical level.

2020–present

[edit]
Georgia vs Italy, 2022
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili with the Georgian team after their historic win against Italy in Batumi, 2022

For this post-World Cup year, Georgia faces two significant changes. Milton Haig, who left after a positive record, has been replaced by his deputy Levan Maisashvili. Additionally, the squad must undergo a renewal process following the retirement of key players such as Mamukashvili, Begadze, and Malaguradze.

On 1 February, Georgia clashed with their Romanian rivals in the 2020 European Nations Championship, concluding with a 41–13 victory for the Lelos. Subsequent matches included a 10–23 loss to the Spaniards, a dominant 78–6 victory against the Belgians, and a close 24–39 battle against Portugal. Despite their promising performance, the Lelos' journey in the competition was abruptly halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October, the Georgian federation received an invitation to participate in the Autumn Nations Cup, which brought together the six teams from the Six Nations Tournament, Fiji, and Georgia. Placed in a pool with England, Ireland, and Wales, the Georgians finished last in the competition after conceding a classification match against Fiji. In July 2022, Georgia beat a Tier 1 nation for the first time, Italy, 28–19. In November 2022, Georgia beat Wales 13–12 in Cardiff. During the European Rugby Championship 2023, Georgia again dominated its opponents and clinched the 15th title.

2023 World Cup

[edit]

During the 2023 Rugby World Cup Georgia dramatically underperformed to what was expected. Playing in a pool lacking one of the four tournament favourites, but notable for strength in depth, Georgia aiming to cause an upset against one of the three tier one sides and guarantee automatic qualification for 2027, but last in their pool having not won a game, despite some relatively strong showings.

They got off to a rocky start with a 35–15 loss to Australia on 9 September; though not expected to win they were thought they might put up a better fight. Next, more concerningly, on 23 September they drew with the only other Tier two team in the pool, Portugal by a score of 18–18 in a match they were expected to win; 7 days later they put up a strong fight against Fiji but were eventually defeated 17–12 before finishing on 7 October getting well beaten by Wales 43–19. A shock victory for Portugal against Fiji condemned Georgia to fifth place in the pool, although the extension of the 2027 World Cup to 24 teams announced shortly afterwards relieved some of the concerns for future qualification. Georgia returned to form, however, in the following Rugby Europe Internationally championship, once more winning the second tier competition convincingly.

Lelo

[edit]
A Lelo ball at the Shukhuti cemetery.

Lelo or lelo burti (Georgian: ლელო ბურთი), literally a "field ball [playing]", is a Georgian folk sport, which is a full contact ball game, and very similar to rugby, itself a public school codification of older folk football games.[5] Within Georgian rugby union terminology, the word lelo is used to mean a try, and the popularity of rugby union in Georgia has also been attributed to it.[6] In 2014, lelo burti, along with khridoli, a traditional martial art, was inscribed by the government of Georgia as a "nonmaterial monument" of culture.[7]

It appears in the 12th century Georgian epic poem The Knight in the Panther's Skin in which the characters play lelo burti.

Kits

[edit]

Kit evolution

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Georgia national rugby union team kits.
RWC 2003
RWC 2007
RWC 2011
RWC 2015
2017–18
RWC 2019
2020–21
2022–23


RWC 2003
RWC 2007
RWC 2011
RWC 2015
2017–18
RWC 2019
2020–21
2022–23

Record

[edit]
Main article: List of Georgia national rugby union team results against Tier-1 nations

Wins against tier-one nations

[edit]
10 July 2022 Georgia  28–19  Italy Batumi Stadium, Batumi  
20:00 GET (UTC+4) Try: Todua 11' m
Abzhandadze (2) 13' c, 36' c
Con: Abzhandadze (2/3) 14', 37'
Pen: Abzhandadze (2/3) 55', 78'
Aprasidze (1/1) 71'
 Try: Menoncello 20' c
Con: Allan (1/1) 21'
Pen: Allan (4/5) 27', 33', 51', 72'
 Attendance: ~20,000
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
19 November 2022 Wales  12–13  Georgia Millennium Stadium, Cardiff  
13:00 GMT (UTC+0) Try: Morgan (2) 20' c, 24' m
Con: Priestland (1/2) 21'
 Report Try: Todua 59' c
Con: Abzhandadze (1/1) 60'
Pen: Abzhandadze (1/2) 2'
Matkava (1/1) 78'
 Attendance: 63,585
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
13 July 2024 Japan  23–25  Georgia Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai  
19:05 JST (UTC+09) Try: Naikabula 3' c
Osada 64' c
Con: Lee (2/2) 4', 65'
Pen: Lee (3/3) 17', 25', 56'
 Report Try: Karkadze 20' m
Alania 28' c
Javakhia 74' c
Con: Matkava (2/3) 29', 75'
Pen: Matkava (2/2) 9', 12'
 Attendance: 15,903
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Overall

[edit]
Men's World Rugby Rankings
Top 20 as of 9 December 2024[8]
Rank Change[i] Team Points
1 Steady  South Africa 092.78
2 Steady  Ireland 090.78
3 Steady  New Zealand 090.36
4 Steady  France 088.51
5 Steady  Argentina 084.97
6 Steady  Scotland 083.34
7 Steady  England 082.31
8 Steady  Australia 081.52
9 Steady  Fiji 080.07
10 Steady  Italy 078.64
11 Steady  Wales 074.01
12 Steady  Georgia 073.85
13 Steady  Japan 072.95
14 Steady  Samoa 072.68
15 Steady  United States 070.02
16 Steady  Portugal 068.82
17 Steady  Uruguay 067.06
18 Steady  Spain 065.98
19 Steady  Tonga 065.46
20 Steady  Romania 063.01
21 Steady  Chile 061.72
22 Steady  Hong Kong 059.49
23 Steady  Canada 059.18
24 Steady  Netherlands 058.56
25 Steady  Russia 058.06
26 Steady  Namibia 057.87
27 Steady  Zimbabwe 057.16
28 Steady  Brazil 056.53
29 Steady  Belgium 056.51
30 Steady   Switzerland 056.04
  1. ^ Change from the previous week
Georgia's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[8]
Graph updated to 9 December 2024

Georgia has won 175 of their 281 representative matches, a winning record of 62.28%. Since World Rankings were introduced by World Rugby in September 2003, Georgia have occupied below number ten the majority of the time. Georgia have consistently ranked as the seventh European nation in men's rugby, immediately below the Six Nations, for two decades.

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Georgia national XV at test level up until 17 November 2024, updated after match with  Italy.[9]

Opponent Played Won Drawn Lost Win % For Aga Diff
 Argentina 5 0 0 5 0.00% 66 186 −120
Argentina Argentina XV 4 2 0 2 50.0% 78 91 −13
 Australia 3 0 0 3 0.00% 52 102 −50
 Barbarians 1 0 0 1 0.00% 19 28 −9
 Belgium 7 7 0 0 100.00% 332 37 +295
 Bulgaria 1 1 0 0 100.00% 70 8 +62
 Canada 7 4 0 3 57.14% 145 141 +4
 Chile 2 1 0 1 50.00% 53 36 +17
 Croatia 1 1 0 0 100.00% 29 15 +14
 Czech Republic 8 8 0 0 100.00% 310 58 +252
 Denmark 1 1 0 0 100.00% 19 8 +11
 England 3 0 0 3 0.00% 16 165 −149
 Fiji 7 1 1 5 14.29% 97 188 −82
 France 2 0 0 2 0.00% 22 105 −83
France French Barbarians 1 1 0 0 100.00% 16 15 +1
France French Universities 1 1 0 0 100.00% 24 20 +4
 Germany 10 10 0 0 100.00% 521 64 +457
 Ireland 5 0 0 5 0.00% 41 219 −178
 Ireland Wolfhounds 1 0 0 1 0.00% 5 40 −35
Ireland Emerging Ireland 2 0 0 2 0.00% 27 65 −38
 Italy 4 1 0 3 25% 84 98 −14
 Italy A 7 3 0 4 42.86% 115 162 −47
 Japan 7 2 0 5 28.57% 121 173 −52
 Kazakhstan 1 1 0 0 100.00% 17 5 +12
 Latvia 1 1 0 0 100.00% 28 3 +25
 Luxembourg 1 0 1 0 0.00% 10 10 +0
 Moldova 1 1 0 0 100.00% 47 5 +42
 Morocco 1 1 0 0 100.00% 20 10 +10
 Namibia 5 4 0 1 80.00% 112 73 +39
 Netherlands 8 7 0 1 87.5% 355 107 +248
 New Zealand 1 0 0 1 0.00% 10 43 −33
 All Blacks XV 1 0 0 1 0.00% 13 31 −18
 Poland 3 1 0 2 33.33% 81 78 +3
 Portugal 27 19 4 4 70.37% 677 372 +305
 Romania 29 19 1 9 65.52% 660 452 +208
 Russia 26 24 1 1 92% 621 273 +348
 Samoa 6 3 1 2 60.00% 110 135 −25
 Scotland 6 0 0 6 0.00% 54 219 −165
 Scotland A 2 1 0 1 50.00% 25 90 −65
 South Africa 2 0 0 2 0.00% 28 86 −58
South Africa South Africa A 1 0 0 1 0.00% 17 31 −14
South Africa Southern Kings 2 1 0 1 50.00% 41 51 −10
South Africa South Africa President's XV 1 0 0 1 0.00% 16 21 −5
South Africa Emerging Springboks 2 0 0 2 0.00% 10 35 −25
 Spain 25 21 1 3 84% 790 340 +450
  Switzerland 1 1 0 0 100.00% 22 21 +1
 Tonga 7 5 0 2 71.43% 119 141 −22
 Ukraine 9 9 0 0 100.00% 281 63 +218
 United States 7 4 0 3 57.14% 139 153 −14
 Uruguay 7 5 0 2 66.7% 152 97 +55
 Wales 5 1 0 4 20% 52 129 −77
 Zimbabwe 3 2 0 1 66.67% 58 35 +23
Total 281 175 10 96 62.28% 6,827 5,133 +1,694

Recent results

[edit]

The following is a list of Georgia's recent match results, as well as upcoming scheduled fixtures, during the 12 months up to and including November 2024:

  Win   Draw   Loss   Upcoming

4 February 2024 Germany  17–28  Georgia Germany Paul Greifzu Stadium, Dessau-Roßlau  
15:00 CET (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 5,400
Referee: Tom Spurrier (Wales)
10 February 2024 Georgia  31–10  Netherlands Georgia (country) Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi  
14:00 GET (UTC+4) Report Attendance: 2,963
Referee: Alexandru Ionescu (Romania)
17 February 2024 Georgia  38–3  Spain Georgia (country) Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi  
16:00 GET (UTC+4) Report Attendance: 3,000
Referee: Sam Grove White (Scotland)
2 March 2024 Georgia  43–5  Romania Georgia (country) Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi  
16:00 GET (UTC+4) Report Attendance: 10,300
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
17 March 2024 Georgia  36–10  Portugal France Stade Jean-Bouin, Paris  
21:00 CET (UTC+1) Report Attendance: 8,000
Referee: Tual Trainini (France)
5 July 2024 Georgia  12–21  Fiji Georgia (country) Adjarabet Arena, Batumi  
20:00 GET (UTC+4) Pen: Matkava (4/4) 4', 15', 28', 65'
 Report Try: Ikanivere 10' m
Dakuwaqa (2) 20' m, 62' m
Con: Botitu (0/3)
Pen: Botitu (2/2) 35', 50'
 Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)
13 July 2024 Japan  23–25  Georgia Japan Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai  
19:05 JST (UTC+09) Try: Naikabula 3' c
Osada 64' c
Con: Lee (2/2) 4', 65'
Pen: Lee (3/3) 17', 25', 56'
 Try: Karkadze 20' m
Alania 28' c
Javakhia 74' c
Con: Matkava (2/3) 29', 75'
Pen: Matkava (2/2) 9', 12'
 Attendance: 15,903
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
20 July 2024 Australia  40–29  Georgia Australia Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney  
15:45 AEST (UTC+10) Try: Paisami 4' c
Valetini (2) 12' m, 53' c
Kailea 19' c
McReight (2) 39' c, 62' c
Con: Donaldson (5/6) 6', 19', 40', 55', 63'
 Report Try: Babunashvili 33' c
Niniashvili 42' c
Tabutsadze (2) 46' c, 68' m
Con: Matkava (3/4) 34', 43', 48'
Pen: Matkava (1/2) 2'
 Attendance: 26,139
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
10 November 2024 Georgia  13–31  All Blacks XV France GGL Stadium, Montpellier  
14:00 CET (UTC+1) Try: Karkadze 8' c
Con: Matkava (1/1) 8'
Pen: Matkava (2/2) 28', 40+2'
 Report Try: Eklund (2) 14' c, 42' m
McLeod 24' m
Christie 33' c
Slater 67' c
Con: Jacomb (3/5) 15', 34', 68'
 Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
17 November 2024 Italy  20–17  Georgia Italy Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa  
14:40 CET (UTC+1) Try: penalty try,[10] 54', Fusco, 65'
Con: Garbizi, 65'
Pen: Garbizi (2)
 Report Try: Tabutsadze, 25'
Lobzhanidze, 38'
Con: Matkava, 25', 38'
Pen: Matkava
 Attendance: 14,771
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
24 November 2024 Georgia  22–7  Tonga Georgia (country) Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi  
18:00 GST (UTC+4) Try: Todua, 42'
penalty try,[11] 61'
Tabutsadze, 72'
Con: Matkava, 43'
Pen: Matkava, 68'
 Report Try: Ahokovi, 82'
Con: Pellegrini, 83'
 Referee: Luc Ramos (France)

World Cup

[edit]
Main article: Georgia at the Rugby World Cup

Georgia has competed in six Rugby World Cup tournaments. Their first appearance was in 2003 when they were placed in Pool C with England, South Africa, Uruguay and Samoa. In 2007 Georgia recorded their first win in the Rugby World Cup with a 30–0 win over Namibia in their Pool D match at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The Lelos best performance was in 2015, where they finished third in a group for the first time. Georgia have to date won five World Cup matches, drawn one and lost eighteen.

Rugby World Cup record Rugby World Cup qualification record
Year Round P W D L F A P W D L F A
AustraliaNew Zealand 1987 Part of USSR: Not an independent country -
United KingdomIrelandFrance 1991 Part of USSR: Not an independent country Part of USSR: Not an independent country
South Africa 1995 did not qualify 2 0 0 2 15 38
Wales 1999 8 4 0 4 131 221
Australia 2003 Pool Stage 4 0 0 4 46 200 2 1 0 1 31 76
France 2007 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 50 111 14 10 1 3 426 182
New Zealand 2011 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 48 90 10 8 1 1 326 132
England 2015 Pool Stage 4 2 0 2 53 123 10 9 1 0 286 106
Japan 2019 Pool Stage 4 1 0 3 65 122 Automatically Qualified
France 2023 Pool Stage 4 0 1 3 64 113 10 9 1 0 325 146
Australia 2027 to be determined Qualification not started
United States 2031
Total 6/10 24 5 1 18 326 759 56 41 4 11 1540 901

Other tournaments

[edit]
Season G W D L PF PA Pts Pos
FIRA 1992–94 3 2 1 0 60 34 8 1st
1995 Rugby World Cup qualification 2 0 0 2 15 38 2 3nd
FIRA 1995–96 4 3 0 1 40 61 10 2nd
FIRA 1996–97 4 2 0 2 87 84 6 4nd
1999 Rugby World Cup qualification 4 3 0 1 74 60 10 2nd
1999 RWC qualification playoff 2 1 0 1 34 64 — DNQ

Rugby European Championships

[edit]

Georgia compete annually in the Rugby Europe Championship (previously named European Nations Cup). They have won the tournament 16 times in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Since 2017 they have won seven consecutive titles and are unbeaten, with a single draw the only mark on the ir record in that time.

ENC champions

Results correct up until 7 August 2024

Season G W D L PF PA +/− Pts Pos
2000 5 3 0 2 145 105 +40 11 2nd
2001 5 5 0 0 167 68 +99 15 1st
2002 5 3 1 1 184 84 +100 12 2nd
2003–04 10 5 1 4 193 148 +45 21 3rd
2005–06 10 8 0 2 353 125 +228 26 2nd
2007–08 10 9 0 1 292 114 +178 28 1st
2009–2010 10 8 1 1 328 130 +198 27 1st
2011–2012 10 9 0 1 316 83 +233 42 1st
2013–2014 10 9 1 0 286 106 +180 41 1st
2015–2016 10 10 0 0 346 75 +276 45 1st
2017 5 4 0 1 136 44 +123 19 2nd
2018 5 5 0 0 188 35 +153 24 1st
2019 5 5 0 0 162 34 +128 24 1st
2020 5 5 0 0 197 60 +137 24 1st
2021 5 5 0 0 153 73 +80 24 1st
2022 5 4 1 0 172 73 +99 20 1st
2023 5 5 0 0 225 41 +184 15 1st
2024 5 5 0 0 176 82 +94 14 1st
2025
Total 125 107 5 13 3779 1391 +2388 419 –

Antim Cup

[edit]
Main article: Antim Cup

The Antim Cup is contested between Georgia and Romania each time the teams meet in a senior international match other than World Cup matches or qualifiers. The holder retains the cup unless the challenger wins the match, and there is no extra time in case of a draw. It is named after the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthim the Iberian, who came from Georgia.

Players

[edit]

Current squad

[edit]

Georgian squad to play All Blacks XV, Italy and Tonga as part of the Autumn international window.[12]

Head Coach: England Richard Cockerill

  • Caps updated: 17 November 2024 (after game v Italy)
Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Vano Karkadze Hooker (2000-06-25) 25 June 2000 (age 24) 16 France Montpellier
Luka Nioradze Hooker (1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 (age 25) 8 France Aurillac
Nika Sutidze Hooker (2003-09-01) 1 September 2003 (age 21) 0 France La Rochelle
Nika Abuladze Prop (1995-08-20) 20 August 1995 (age 29) 16 France Montpellier
Giorgi Akhaladze Prop (1999-04-13) 13 April 1999 (age 25) 8 France ASM Clermont
Irakli Aptsiauri Prop (2003-02-23) 23 February 2003 (age 21) 11 France Lyon
Luka Japaridze Prop (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 26) 9 France Montpellier
Alexsandre Kuntelia Prop (2002-06-26) 26 June 2002 (age 22) 6 France La Rochelle
Giorgi Mamaiashvili Prop (2003-02-26) 26 February 2003 (age 21) 5 France Grenoble
Mikheil Babunashvili Lock (1996-05-31) 31 May 1996 (age 28) 11 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Lado Chachanidze Lock (2000-05-14) 14 May 2000 (age 24) 20 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Demur Epremidze Lock (1996-10-18) 18 October 1996 (age 28) 0 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Lasha Jaiani Lock (1998-04-21) 21 April 1998 (age 26) 22 France Nevers
Giorgi Javakhia Lock (1996-09-24) 24 September 1996 (age 28) 15 France Grenoble
Luka Ivanishvili Back row (2001-11-25) 25 November 2001 (age 23) 16 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Tornike Jalaghonia Back row (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 (age 25) 36 France Provence
Sandro Mamamtavrishvili Back row (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 (age 28) 6 Russia Lokomotiv Penza
Beka Saghinadze Back row (1998-10-29) 29 October 1998 (age 26) 42 France Lyon
Beka Shvangiradze Back row (2002-06-12) 12 June 2002 (age 22) 3 France Lyon
Ilia Spanderashvili Back row (1997-09-10) 10 September 1997 (age 27) 9 France Valence Romans
Giorgi Tsutskiridze Back row (1996-11-26) 26 November 1996 (age 28) 39 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Gela Aprasidze Scrum-half (1998-01-14) 14 January 1998 (age 26) 54 France Perpignan
Vasil Lobzhanidze Scrum-half (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 28) 88 France Oyonnax
Tengiz Peranidze Scrum-half (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 (age 26) 3 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Tedo Abzhandadze Fly-half (1999-06-13) 13 June 1999 (age 25) 54 France Aurillac
Luka Matkava Fly-half (2001-10-05) 5 October 2001 (age 23) 23 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Tornike Kakhoidze Centre (2003-08-16) 16 August 2003 (age 21) 7 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Giorgi Kveseladze Centre (1997-11-11) 11 November 1997 (age 27) 61 France Grenoble
Georges Shvelidze Centre (2003-10-26) 26 October 2003 (age 21) 0 France Brive
Demur Tapladze Centre (2000-03-18) 18 March 2000 (age 24) 40 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Amiran Shvangiradze Wing 0 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Aka Tabutsadze Wing (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 27) 44 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Alexander Todua Wing (1987-11-02) 2 November 1987 (age 37) 115 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Davit Niniashvili Fullback (2002-07-14) 14 July 2002 (age 22) 33 France Lyon
Dachi Papunashvili Fullback (2001-10-20) 20 October 2001 (age 23) 0 France Aurillac
Luka Tsirekidze Fullback (2004-08-25) 25 August 2004 (age 20) 1 Georgia (country) Black Lion

Notable former players

[edit]
Mamuka Gorgodze

Mamuka Gorgodze – Switched to rugby from basketball aged 17. His first club was Lelo in the Georgian Top League, he was soon selected for the Georgia national team and made his debut in 2003 against Spain, at the age of just 18 and not long after he started playing rugby. However he was not selected for Georgia's first appearance at the 2003 Rugby World Cup later that year. In 2004 he became a regular fixture for the Georgia side. He was a regular in the Georgia side though and was selected for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and started three of Georgia's four matches at the World Cup, being one of Georgia's star players. Gorgodze became a success as flanker during this season, and halfway through the season French newspaper L'Équipe commented that he improved his technique and became a mobile and unstoppable player. Gorgodze played a big role in Montpellier finishing the 2010–11 Top 14 season as runners up.[13] At the end of the season L'Équipe named him as the best foreigner in the league. He was selected for the Georgia squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and played all the Georgia matches, being named man of the match in two matches, against England and Romania.[citation needed]

Davit Zirakashvili

Davit Zirakashvili – originally came from a wrestling background, but switched to rugby in 2000. He moved to France in 2002 to play with Fédérale 1 side Aubenas. He moved up the leagues to the Top 14 in the 2004/05 season to play with Clermont where he joined his Georgian compatriot Goderdzi Shvelidze. He also made his debut for Georgia in 2004 against Uruguay. He soon became an important member of both the Clermont and Georgia side. He played in all four of the consecutive Top 14 finals Clermont reached between 2007 and 2010, he scored a try in the 2008 Top 14 final against Toulouse and in 2010 became the first Georgian player to win the Top 14, and represented Georgia in both the 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups. In 2010, Zirakashvili was voted Georgian sportsman of the year after some crucial performances for both club and country. He was part of a Georgian scrum which scored three penalty tries and also a pushover try in the calendar year, he also a memorable solo try from 45 metres out against Russia in Trabzon and an important try against Canada. His scrummaging was a key factor in Georgia recording wins against both Canada and USA for the first time, whilst at club level he was part of Clermont's Top 14 winning side. Zirakashvili was also mentioned as one of the best tighthead props of the year in world rugby by The Daily Telegraph.

Ilia Zedginidze

Ilia Zedginidze – Played as a Number 8 and was a lineout specialist. A member of their inaugural World Cup side in 2003, he captained Georgia in the 2007 tournament, but was forced out of the squad because of an injury. This injury ultimately led to him announcing his retirement from international rugby, after gaining 48 caps. He returned to the squad in late 2008, playing against Scotland A and taking part in the 2009 European Nations Cup, where he scored a game-saving try against Portugal on 14 February 2009.[citation needed]

Malkhaz Urjukashvili – Moved to France, where he has been playing. He is one of the best players and scorers for Georgia, holding currently 65 caps for his National Team, with 18 tries and 300 points. His first match was a 29–15 win over Croatia, in Tbilisi, at 12 October 1997, aged only 17 years old. This made him one of the youngest players ever to be capped at international rugby level. He was present at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, playing three matches and scoring 9 points. In the game against England, he kicked a long range penalty that registered as Georgia's first Rugby World Cup points (England eventually won the game 84–6). He was called once again for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, playing in all the four matches and scoring one conversion. He continued to be a valuable player in the 2011 Rugby World Cup qualification, the third Georgia gained in a row.[citation needed]

Award winners

[edit]

The following Georgia players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:[14]

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year
Year Nominees Winners
2015 Vasil Lobzhanidze —

Coaches

[edit]

Current coaching staff

[edit]

The current coaching staff of the Georgian national team:[15]

Name Nationality Role
Vasil Abashidze  GEO Manager
Lekso Iordanishvili  GEO Manager
Richard Cockerill  ENG Head coach
Conor McPhillips  IRE Attack coach
Julian Salvi  AUS Defence coach
Shaun Sowerby  RSA Lineout/Defence coach
Dan Baugh  CAN Strength & conditioning coach
Davit Nemsadze  GEO Strength & conditioning coach
Dr. Nutsa Shamatava  GEO Team doctor
Abesalom Abramishvili  GEO Physiotherapist
Edward Barry  ENG Physiotherapist
William Lavis  ENG Rehabilitation specialist
Nika Pinaishvili  GEO GPS-analyst
Davit Ramishvili  GEO Video-analyst

Player records

[edit]

Most caps

[edit]
# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Won Lost Draw %
1 Davit Kacharava Centre 2006–2020 122 104 18 79 40 3 65.98
2 Alexander Todua Wing 2008– 116 103 13 73 40 3 61.82
3 Merab Kvirikashvili Fullback 2003–2018 115 94 21 72 40 3 63.91
4 Shalva Mamukashvili Hooker 2011–2023 103 64 39 65 35 3 64.45
Merab Sharikadze Centre 2012–2024 103 101 2 65 33 5 62.82
6 Giorgi Chkhaidze Flanker 2002–2017 100 78 22 65 32 3 66.50
Lasha Malaghuradze Fly-half 2008–2023 100 52 48 68 30 2 68.68
8 Lasha Khmaladze Centre 2008–2023 97 73 24 63 30 3 66.66
9 Giorgi Nemsadze Lock 2005–2019 95 71 24 62 32 1 65.78
10 Vasil Lobzhanidze Scrum-half 2015- 89 75 14 56 32 3 68.68
Last updated: Georgia vs Tonga, 24 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[16]

Most tries

[edit]
# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries
1 Aka Tabutsadze Wing 2020– 45 45 0 205 41
2 Mamuka Gorgodze Lock 2003–2019 75 69 6 135 27
3 Davit Kacharava Centre 2006–2020 122 104 18 125 25
4 Irakli Machkhaneli Wing 2002–2014 73 68 5 115 23
Tedo Zibzibadze Centre 2000–2014 77 65 12 115 23
6 Merab Sharikadze Centre 2012–2024 103 101 2 95 19
Alexander Todua Wing 2008– 116 103 13 95 19
8 Merab Kvirikashvili Fullback 2003–2018 115 94 21 840 17
Malkhaz Urjukashvili Wing 1997–2011 70 66 4 320 17
10 Vasil Lobzhanidze Scrum-half 2015- 89 75 14 83 16
Last updated: Georgia vs Tonga, 24 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[17]

Most points

[edit]
# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1 Merab Kvirikashvili Fullback 2003–2018 115 840 17 148 150 3
2 Tedo Abzhandadze Fly-half 2018– 54 334 6 77 50 0
3 Pavle Jimsheladze Fly-half 1995–2007 57 320 9 61 48 3
Malkhaz Urjukashvili Wing 1997–2011 70 320 17 47 46 1
5 Aka Tabutsadze Wing 2020– 45 205 41 0 0 0
6 Lasha Malaghuradze Fly-half 2008–2023 100 190 6 38 25 3
7 Soso Matiashvili Full-back 2017–2021 32 159 8 25 23 0
8 Luka Matkava Fly-half 2022– 24 157 2 42 21 0
9 Mamuka Gorgodze Lock 2003–2019 75 135 27 0 0 0
10 Davit Kacharava Centre 2006–2020 122 125 25 0 0 0
Last updated: Georgia vs Tonga, 24 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[18]

Most matches as captain

[edit]
# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries
1 Merab Sharikadze Centre 2014–2024 52 32 17 3 57.14 50 10
2 Irakli Abuseridze Scrum-half 2007–2012 36 25 10 1 70.83 15 3
3 Ilia Zedginidze Lock 2002–2011 35 19 14 2 57.14 30 6
4 Irakli Machkhaneli Wing 2013–2014 14 10 3 1 75.00 10 2
Shalva Sutiashvili Flanker 2014–2016 14 13 0 1 96.42 5 1
6 Mamuka Gorgodze Flanker 2013–2017 13 5 8 0 38.46 10 2
7 Zurab Mtchedlishvili Lock 1997–2007 12 7 5 0 58.33 10 2
Levan Tsabadze Prop 2001–2002 12 9 2 1 79.16 15 3
9 Giorgi Nemsadze Lock 2018–2019 11 9 2 0 81.81 0 0
Dimitri Oboladze Flanker 1993–1998 11 6 4 1 59.09 5 1
Last updated: Georgia vs Tonga, 24 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[19]

Most points in a match

[edit]
# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1 Soso Matiashvili Full Back 34 2 6 4 0  Canada Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2017-10-11
2 Merab Kvirikashvili Full Back 32 2 11 0 0  Germany Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2010-02-06
3 Luka Matkava Fly-half 25 1 10 0 0  Germany Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2023-02-05
4 Merab Kvirikashvili Full Back 24 1 2 5 0  Portugal Portugal Lisbon 2014-02-08
5 Paliko Jimsheladze Fly-half 23 1 0 6 0  Russia Russia Krasnodar 2003-03-09
Merab Kvirikashvili Fly-half 23 1 9 0 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2007-04-07
7 Merab Kvirikashvili Fly-half 22 1 1 5 0  Japan Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2012-11-17
8 Malkhaz Urjukashvili Fly-half 20 0 7 2 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Kutaisi 2005-06-12
Lasha Malaghuradze Fly-half 20 1 6 1 0  Spain Spain Madrid 2009-02-28
Aka Tabutsadze Wing 20 4 0 0 0  Belgium Georgia (country) Kutaisi 2020-02-22
Tedo Abzhandadze Fly-half 20 2 2 2 0  Italy Georgia (country) Batumi 2022-07-10
Last updated: Italy vs Georgia, 17 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[20]

Most tries in a match

[edit]
# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1 Aka Tabutsadze Wing 20 4 0 0 0  Belgium Georgia (country) Kutaisi 2020-02-22
2 Paliko Jimsheladze Wing 15 3 0 0 0  Bulgaria Bulgaria Sofia 1995-03-23
Archil Kavtarahvili Wing 15 3 0 0 0  Bulgaria Bulgaria Sofia 1995-03-23
Mamuka Gorgodze Number 8 15 3 0 0 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Kutaisi 2005-06-12
David Dadunashvili Hooker 15 3 0 0 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2007-04-07
Malkhaz Urjukashvili Centre 15 3 0 0 0  Czech Republic Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2007-04-07
Mamuka Gorgodze Number 8 15 3 0 0 0  Spain Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2008-04-26
Zurab Zhvania Hooker 15 3 0 0 0  Germany Germany Heusenstamm 2015-02-07
Giorgi Kveseladze Centre 15 3 0 0 0  Germany Germany Offenbach 2018-02-17
Davit Niniashvili Fullback 15 3 0 0 0  Netherlands Georgia (country) Telavi 2021-06-26
Otar Giorgadze Flanker 15 3 0 0 0  Netherlands Netherlands Amsterdam 2022-02-12
Beka Gorgadze Flanker 15 3 0 0 0  Uruguay Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2022-11-06
Aka Tabutsadze Wing 15 3 0 0 0  Germany Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2023-02-05
Giorgi Tsutskiridze Flanker 15 3 0 0 0  Germany Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2023-02-05
Aka Tabutsadze Wing 15 3 0 0 0  Romania Georgia (country) Tbilisi 2024-03-02
Last updated: Italy vs Georgia, 17 November 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[21]

Coaches

[edit]
Years Coach
1989–1990 Georgia (country) David Kilasonia
1991–1993 Georgia (country) Temur Bendiashvili
1994–1996 Georgia (country) Guram Modebadze
1997 New Zealand Ross Meurant
1997–2003 France Claude Saurel
2004–2007 Georgia (country) Malkhaz Cheishvili
2008–2009 Australia Tim Lane
2010–2011 Scotland Richie Dixon
2012–2019 New Zealand Milton Haig
2020 Georgia (country) Levan Maisashvili (Interim)
2021–2023 Georgia (country) Levan Maisashvili
2024–present England Richard Cockerill

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Georgia national rugby union team.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ (Georgian: საქართველოს მორაგბეთა ეროვნული ნაკრები, sakartvelos moragbeta erovnuli nak’rebi)
  2. ^ Lelos is from the still-popular ancient traditional Georgian folk-sport of Lelo burti, a sort of rugby played with a pumpkin-shaped ball). Nicknamed The Borjgalosnebi (The Men of the Borjgali i.e. the traditional Georgian seven-armed solar symbol)
  3. ^ "Georgia v Russia". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  4. ^ "When Georgia's XV came of age". International Rugby Board. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
  5. ^ Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p67
  6. ^ Louis, p39
  7. ^ Kalatozishvili, Georgy (16 April 2014). "Khridoli and leloburti are nonmaterial monuments of Georgia". Vestnik Kavkaza. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  9. ^ "Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Team records". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  10. ^ automatically converted to 7 points.
  11. ^ automatically converted to 7 points.
  12. ^ ბორჯღალოსნები | რიჩარდ ქოქრილი - „საკუთარი გულშემატკივრის წინაშე თამაში სულ სხვა შეგრძნებაა“
  13. ^ Lopez, Julien (3 June 2011). "Gorgodze percute, tamponne, caramélise, retourne. En plus, il franchit". Le Rugbynistère (in French). Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  14. ^ "Awards Roll of Honour – World Rugby". world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  15. ^ "Georgia Rugby's Coaching Staff". rugby.ge. Georgian Rugby Union.
  16. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most matches | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  17. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual tries | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual points | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  19. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most matches as a captain | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  20. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual points in a match | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  21. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual tries in a match | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Georgia national rugby union team.
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