Georgia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Borjgalosnebi
Lelos
EmblemBorjgali
UnionGeorgian Rugby Union
Head coachLevan Maisashvili (Interim)
CaptainMerab Sharikadze
Most capsDavit Kacharava (122)
Top scorerMerab Kvirikashvili (840)
Top try scorerAka Tabutsadze (30)
Home stadiumVarious
First colours
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current14 (as of October 2023)
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 (Georgian: საქართველოს მორაგბეთა ეროვნული ნაკრები, sakartvelos moragbeta erovnuli nak’rebi), nicknamed The Lelos,[1] represents Georgia in men's international rugby union. The team is administered by the Georgian Rugby Union and takes part in the annual Rugby Europe Championship and the Rugby World Cup, which takes place every four years.

Georgia is currently considered a second-tier rugby union nation and is one of the world's fastest-growing rugby nations. 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. 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

History

Soviet era

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 Marseilles 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

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

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[2] 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.[3] 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

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 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

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 September 23, 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

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 February 1, 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.

Lelo

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.[4] 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.[5] In 2014, lelo burti, along with khridoli, a traditional martial art, was inscribed by the government of Georgia as a "nonmaterial monument" of culture.[6]

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

Kits

Kits timeline

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

Wins against Tier 1 nations

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)

Overall

Top 20 as of 25 December 2023[7]
RankChange*TeamPoints
1 Steady South Africa094.54
2 Steady Ireland090.57
3 Steady New Zealand089.80
4 Steady France087.81
5 Steady England085.46
6 Steady Scotland083.43
7 Steady Argentina080.68
8 Steady Wales080.64
9 Steady Australia077.48
10 Steady Fiji076.38
11 Steady Italy075.93
12 Steady Japan074.27
13 Steady Portugal072.78
14 Steady Georgia072.68
15 Steady Samoa072.23
16 Steady Tonga071.57
17 Steady United States067.94
18 Steady Uruguay067.39
19 Steady Romania063.28
20 Steady Spain062.86
21 Steady Canada060.90
22 Steady Namibia060.56
23 Steady Chile060.49
24 Steady Hong Kong059.80
25 Steady Russia058.06
26 Steady  Switzerland056.29
27 Steady Netherlands055.84
28 Steady Brazil055.37
29 Steady Belgium054.58
30 Steady South Korea053.46
* Change from the previous week
Georgia's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby[7]
Graph updated to 25 December 2023

Georgia has won 168 of their 272 representative matches, a winning record of 61.76%. Since World Rankings were introduced by World Rugby in September 2003, Georgia have occupied below number ten the majority of the time.

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Georgia national team at test level up until 9 October 2023.[8]

Opponent Played Won Lost Drawn Win % For Aga Diff
 Argentina50500.00%66186−120
Argentina Argentina XV 422050.0%7891−13
 Australia20200.00%2362−39
 Barbarians10100.00%1928−9
 Belgium7700100.00%33237+295
 Bulgaria1100100.00%708+62
 Canada743057.14%145141+4
 Chile211050.00%5336+17
 Croatia1100100.00%2915+14
 Czech Republic8800100.00%31058+252
 Denmark1100100.00%198+11
 England30300.00%16165−149
 Fiji71515.88%97179−82
 France20200.00%22105−83
France French Barbarians1100100.00%1615+1
France French Universities1100100.00%2420+4
 Germany9900100.00%49347+446
 Ireland50500.00%41219−178
 Ireland Wolfhounds10100.00%540−35
Ireland Emerging Ireland20200.00%2765−38
 Italy312033%3959−20
 Italy XV10100.00%751−44
 Italy A523040.00%7183−12
 Emerging Italy211050.00%4436+8
 Japan615016.67%96150−54
 Kazakhstan1100100.00%175+12
 Latvia1100100.00%283+25
 Luxembourg10010.00%1010+0
 Moldova1100100.00%475+42
 Morocco1100100.00%2010+10
 Namibia541080.00%11273+39
 Netherlands761075.00%32497+227
 New Zealand10100.00%1043−33
 Poland20200.00%2952−23
 Portugal26184469.23%641362+279
 Romania28189164.29%617447+170
 Russia26241192%621273+348
 Samoa632160.00%110135−25
 Scotland60600.00%54219−165
 Scotland A211050.00%2590−65
 South Africa20200.00%2886−58
South Africa South Africa A10100.00%1731−14
South Africa Southern Kings211050.00%4151−10
South Africa South Africa President's XV10100.00%1621−5
South Africa Emerging Springboks20200.00%1035−25
 Spain24203180%752337+415
  Switzerland1100100.00%2221+1
 Tonga752071.43%119141−22
 Ukraine9900100.00%28163+218
 United States743057.14%139153−14
 Uruguay752066.7%15297+55
 Wales514020%52129−77
 Zimbabwe321066.67%5835+23
Total272168941061.76%64944928+1566

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.

World Cup record World Cup Qualification record
Year Round P W D L F A P W D L F A
AustraliaNew Zealand 1987Part of USSR: Not an independent country-
United KingdomIrelandFrance 1991Part of USSR: Not an independent countryPart of USSR: Not an independent country
South Africa 1995did not qualify20021538
Wales 19998404131221
Australia 2003Pool Stage40044620021013176
France 2007Pool Stage410350111141013426182
New Zealand 2011Pool Stage4103489010811326132
England 2015Pool Stage42025312310910286106
Japan 2019Pool Stage410365122Automatically Qualified
France 2023Pool Stage40136411310910325146
Australia 2027to be determinedQualification not started
United States 2031
Total 6/10 24 5 1 18 326 759 56 41 4 11 1540 901

Rugby. Georgian all tournament games

Season G W D L PF PA Pts Pos
1992–943210603481st
1995 Rugby World Cup qualification2002153823nd
1995–9643014061102nd
1996–974202878464nd
1999 Rugby World Cup qualification43017460102nd
1999 Qual. Play off21013464

Rugby European Championships

Georgia compete annually in the Rugby Europe Championship (previously named European Nations Cup). They have won the tournament 14 times in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

ENC champions

Results correct up until 7 July 2021

Season G W D L PF PA +/− Pts Pos
20005302145105+40112nd
2001550016768+99151st
2002531118484+100122nd
2003–0410514193148+45213rd
2005–0610802353125+228262nd
2007–0810901292114+178281st
2009–201010811328130+198271st
2011–20121090131683+233421st
2013–201410910286106+180411st
2015–201610100034675+276451st
2017540113644+123192nd
2018550018835+153241st
2019550016234+128241st
2020550019760+137241st
2021550015373+80241st
2022541017273+99201st
2023550022541+1841st
20240000000
Total12010251336031309+2294405

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

Current squad

On 28 August, Georgia announced their 33-player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[9]

Head Coach: Georgia (country) Levan Maisashvili

  • Caps updated: 28 August 2023
Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Shalva Mamukashvili Hooker (1990-10-02) 2 October 1990 100 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Luka Nioradze Hooker (1999-04-06) 6 April 1999 1 France Aurillac
Tengiz Zamtaradze Hooker (1998-01-02) 2 January 1998 4 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Nika Abuladze Prop (1995-08-20) 20 August 1995 12 England Exeter Chiefs
Beka Gigashvili Prop (1992-02-17) 17 February 1992 36 France Toulon
Guram Gogichashvili Prop (1998-09-04) 4 September 1998 39 France Racing 92
Luka Japaridze Prop (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 8 France Montpellier
Mikheil Nariashvili Prop (1990-05-25) 25 May 1990 73 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Guram Papidze Prop (1997-06-16) 16 June 1997 12 France Pau
Lado Chachanidze Lock (2000-05-14)14 May 2000 (aged 23) 13 France Nevers
Nodar Cheishvili Lock (1990-11-13) 13 November 1990 48 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Lasha Jaiani Lock (1998-04-21) 21 April 1998 19 France Nevers
Konstantin Mikautadze Lock (1991-07-01) 1 July 1991 84 France Bayonne
Mikheil Gachechiladze Back row (1990-12-24) 24 December 1990 21 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Beka Gorgadze Back row (1996-02-08) 8 February 1996 40 France Pau
Luka Ivanishvili Back row (2001-11-25) 25 November 2001 7 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Tornike Jalaghonia Back row (1998-12-12) 12 December 1998 24 France Biarritz
Beka Saghinadze Back row (1998-10-29) 29 October 1998 36 France Lyon
Giorgi Tsutskiridze Back row (1996-11-26) 26 November 1996 31 France Stade Français
Gela Aprasidze Scrum-half (1998-01-14) 14 January 1998 48 France Bayonne
Vasil Lobzhanidze Scrum-half (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 78 France Brive
Tengiz Peranidze Scrum-half (1998-04-06) 6 April 1998 1 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Tedo Abzhandadze Fly-half (1999-06-13) 13 June 1999 43 France Montauban
Luka Matkava Fly-half (2001-10-05) 5 October 2001 10 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Tornike Kakhoidze Centre (2003-08-16) 16 August 2003 3 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Giorgi Kveseladze Centre (1997-11-11) 11 November 1997 48 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Merab Sharikadze (c) Centre (1993-05-17) 17 May 1993 96 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Demur Tapladze Centre (2000-03-18) 18 March 2000 28 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Mirian Modebadze Wing (1997-10-27) 27 October 1997 25 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Aka Tabutsadze Wing (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 31 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Alexander Todua Wing (1987-11-02) 2 November 1987 108 Georgia (country) Black Lion
Lasha Khmaladze Fullback (1988-01-20)20 January 1988 (aged 35) 96 Georgia (country) RC Batumi
Davit Niniashvili Fullback (2002-07-14) 14 July 2002 23 France Lyon

Notable former players

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.[10] 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.

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.

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.

Coaches

Current coaching staff

The current coaching staff of the Georgian national team:[11]

Name Nationality Role
Vasil Abashidze GEOManager
Lekso Iordanishvili GEOManager
Levan Maisashvili GEOHead coach
Lado Kilasonia GEOAssistant coach
Ilia Maisuradze GEOAssistant coach
Cory Brown NZLAttack coach
Joe Worsley ENGDefence coach
Paul Tito NZLForward's coach
Ben Pollard ENGStrength & conditioning coach
Irakli Chkonia GEOStrength & conditioning coach
Davit Nemsadze GEOStrength & conditioning coach
Dr. Nutsa Shamatava GEOTeam doctor
Abesalom Abramishvili GEOPhysiotherapist
Edward Barry ENGPhysiotherapist
William Lavis ENGRehabilitation specialist
Nika Pinaishvili GEOGPS-analyst
Davit Ramishvili GEOVideo-analyst

Player records

Most caps

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Won Lost Draw %
1Davit KacharavaCentre2006–2020122104187940365.98
2Merab KvirikashviliFullback2003–201811594217240363.91
3Alexander ToduaWing2008–10896126837361.82
4Shalva MamukashviliHooker2011-10364396535364.45
5Giorgi ChkhaidzeFlanker2002–201710078226532366.50
Lasha MalaghuradzeFly-half2008–202310052486830268.68
7Merab SharikadzeCentre2012-989626033562.82
8Lasha KhmaladzeCentre2008-9672246330366.66
9Giorgi NemsadzeLock2005–20199571246232165.78
10Konstantin MikautadzeLock2000–20138776114737362.94
Last updated: Wales vs Georgia, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[12]

Most tries

# Player Pos Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries
1Aka TabutsadzeWing2020–3434015030
2Mamuka GorgodzeLock2003–20197569613527
3Davit KacharavaCentre2006–20201221041812525
4Irakli MachkhaneliWing2002–20147368511523
Tedo ZibzibadzeCentre2000–201477651211523
6Merab SharikadzeCentre2012–989629018
Alexander ToduaWing2008–10896129018
8Merab KvirikashviliFullback2003–2018115942184017
Malkhaz UrjukashviliWing1997–20117066432017
10Bessik KhamashuridzeFullback1998–20116151107515
Giorgi NemsadzeLock2005–20199571247515
Last updated: Wales vs Georgia, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[13]

Most points

# Player Pos Span Mat Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop
1Merab KvirikashviliFullback2003–2018115840171481503
2Tedo AbzhandadzeFly-half2018–47317475490
3Pavle JimsheladzeFly-half1995–200757320961483
Malkhaz UrjukashviliWing1997–2011703201747461
5Lasha MalaghuradzeFly-half2008–2023100190638253
6Soso MatiashviliFull-back2017–202132159825230
7Aka TabutsadzeWing2020–3415030000
8Mamuka GorgodzeLock2003–20197513527000
9Davit KacharavaCentre2006–202012212525000
10Beka TsiklauriFullback2008–201829124524152
Last updated: Wales vs Georgia, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[14]

Most matches as captain

# Player Pos Span Mat Won Lost Draw % Pts Tries
1Merab SharikadzeCentre2014–482817357.14459
2Irakli AbuseridzeScrum-half2007–2012362510170.83153
3Ilia ZedginidzeLock2002–2011351914257.14306
4Irakli MachkhaneliWing2013–201414103175.00102
Shalva SutiashviliFlanker2014–201614130196.4251
6Mamuka GorgodzeFlanker2013–20171358038.46102
7Zurab MtchedlishviliLock1997–20071275058.33102
Levan TsabadzeProp2001–20021292179.16153
9Giorgi NemsadzeLock2018–20191192081.8100
Dimitri OboladzeFlanker1993–19981164159.0951
Last updated: Wales vs Georgia, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[15]

Most points in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Soso MatiashviliFull Back342640 CanadaGeorgia (country) Tbilisi11/10/2017
2Merab KvirikashviliFull Back3221100 GermanyGeorgia (country) Tbilisi06/02/2010
3Luka MatkavaFly-half2511000 GermanyGeorgia (country) Tbilisi05/02/2023
4Merab KvirikashviliFull Back241250 PortugalPortugal Lisbon08/02/2014
5Paliko JimsheladzeFly-half231060 RussiaRussia Krasnodar09/03/2003
Merab KvirikashviliFly-half231900 Czech RepublicGeorgia (country) Tbilisi07/04/2007
7Merab KvirikashviliFly-half221150 JapanGeorgia (country) Tbilisi17/11/2012
8Malkhaz UrjukashviliFly-half200720 Czech RepublicGeorgia (country) Kutaisi12/06/2005
Lasha MalaghuradzeFly-half201610 SpainSpain Madrid28/02/2009
Tedo AbzhandadzeFly-half202220 ItalyGeorgia (country) Batumi10/07/2022
Last updated: Wales vs Georgia, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[16]

Most tries in a match

# Player Pos Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Opposition Venue Date
1Aka TabutsadzeWing204000 BelgiumGeorgia (country) Kutaisi22/02/2020
2Paliko JimsheladzeWing153000 BulgariaBulgaria Sofia23/03/1995
Archil KavtarahviliWing153000 BulgariaBulgaria Sofia23/03/1995
Mamuka GorgodzeNumber 8153000 Czech RepublicGeorgia (country) Kutaisi12/06/2005
David DadunashviliHooker153000 Czech RepublicGeorgia (country) Tbilisi07/04/2007
Malkhaz UrjukashviliCentre153000 Czech RepublicGeorgia (country) Tbilisi07/04/2007
Mamuka GorgodzeNumber 8153000 SpainGeorgia (country) Tbilisi26/04/2008
Zurab ZhvaniaHooker153000 GermanyGermany Heusenstamm07/02/2015
Giorgi KveseladzeCentre153000 GermanyGermany Offenbach17/02/2018
Davit NiniashviliFullback153000 NetherlandsGeorgia (country) Telavi26/06/2021
Otar GiorgadzeFlanker153000 NetherlandsNetherlands Amsterdam12/02/2022
Beka GorgadzeFlanker153000 UruguayGeorgia (country) Tbilisi06/11/2022
Aka TabutsadzeWing153000 GermanyGeorgia (country) Tbilisi05/02/2023
Giorgi TsutskiridzeFlanker153000 GermanyGeorgia (country) Tbilisi05/02/2023
Last updated: Wales vs Georgia, 7 October 2023. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[17]

Former coaches

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

See also

References

  1. 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)
  2. "Georgia v Russia". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  3. "When Georgia's XV came of age". International Rugby Board. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
  4. Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p67
  5. Louis, p39
  6. Kalatozishvili, Georgy (16 April 2014). "Khridoli and leloburti are nonmaterial monuments of Georgia". Vestnik Kavkaza. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  8. "Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Team records". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  9. ბორჯღალოსნების შემადგენლობა 2023 წლის მსოფლიო თასზე
  10. Lopez, Julien (3 June 2011). "Gorgodze percute, tamponne, caramélise, retourne. En plus, il franchit". Le Rugbynistère (in French). Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  11. "Georgia Rugby's Coaching Staff". rugby.ge. Georgian Rugby Union.
  12. "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most matches | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  13. "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual tries | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  14. "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual points | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  15. "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most matches as a captain | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  16. "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual points in a match | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  17. "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual tries in a match | ESPN Scrum". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
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