Georgia head to Japan for their fifth Rugby World Cup looking to prove their case for Six Nations inclusion after steady growth over the last decade or so.
Automatic qualifiers after a first third-place group finish in 2015, a tournament which saw Milton Haig’s side battle admirably against New Zealand and impressively best Tonga, the Georgians have been dealt a rough hand, with Australia, Wales and Fiji also in Pool D.
Their clash with Fiji on 3 October shapes as a tasty tier-two battle for supremacy between two rugby-mad nations, while Georgia will be confident of beating Uruguay, the fifth side in Pool D, even after disappointing against Scotland in their warm-ups.
Battle-gnarled and tough up front, the return from retirement of Toulon’s Mamuka Gorgodze for a fourth World Cup will add nous behind a typically stout front row.
And there is precocity in the halves, where Tedo Abzhandadze (20) will likely combine with either excitement machine Gela Aprasidze (21) or 44-cap Vasil Lobzhanidze (22) in guiding a backline perhaps otherwise lacking in game-breakers.
Squad
Forwards: Mikheil Nariashvili, Guram Gogichashvili, Shalva Mamukashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Vano Karkadze, Levan Chilachava, Giorgi Melikidze, Beka Gigashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Mamuka Gorgodze, Kote Mikautadze, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Lasha Lomidze, Otar Giorgadze, Beka Gorgadze, Beka Saghinadze.
Backs: Sandro Todua, Soso Matiashvili, Mirian Modebadze, Zurab Dzneladze, Davit Katcharava, Merab Sharikadze, Tamaz Mtchedlidze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Lasha Malaghuradze, Lasha Khmaladze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Giorgi Begadze, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Gela Aprasidze.
Head coach
Milton Haig. Appointed in 2011 on the recommendation of Vern Cotter, veteran New Zealander Haig has done a fine job in his tenure so far, taking the Lelos to five Grand Slam Rugby Europe Championships in the last six years, and building a serious case for Six Nations inclusion with Italy stagnant.
The playing base is deeper, their U20s have made great strides and there is real excitement about where this side is going. Georgia has Haig to thank for much of that.
Key Player
Mamuka Gorgodze. Beware – Gorgodzilla is coming to Japan. Two years after his international retirement Gorgodze has been enticed back to duties after a couple of injuries in the Georgian pack, ostensibly in the second row but with plenty of experience at the back of the scrum as well. Gorgodze was one of the under-the-radar stars of the last World Cup, named in the tournament’s dream team and producing a player of the match performance against the All Blacks.
Intensely physical but with hands softened by a youth spent playing basketball, even on aged legs Gorgodze will be a totemic figure.
Past record
Australia 2003 – eliminated in the pool stages (zero wins)
France 2007 - eliminated in the pool stages (one win)
New Zealand 2011 - eliminated in the pool stages (one win)
England 2015 - eliminated in the pool stages (two wins)
Prediction
Defeats to Australia and Wales seem likely, and Fiji should have too much quality, too. A win over Uruguay looks almost certain, and while just the sole victory would be a numerical step-back, their World Cup will be more about performances than results. If they can run either Australia or Wales remotely close, their claim for a Six Nations berth will only be bolstered.
Fixtures
- Monday 23 September – Wales vs Georgia (11.15am), Toyota
- Sunday 29 September – Georgia vs Uruguay (6.15am), Kumagaya
- Thursday 3 October – Georgia vs Fiji (6.15am), Higashiosaka
- Friday 11 October – Australia vs Georgia (11.15am), Fukuroi
Odds
Georgia to win the World Cup: 750/1
