Georgia seek more major games

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said he wants more games against leading sides as he named his squad for this year’s World Cup.

The Lelos, ranked 11th in the world, have faced Romania, the USA and Scotland over the past month in preparation for the tournament.

They start their campaign against two-time winners Australia on September 9 before also playing Portugal, Fiji and Wales in Pool C.

“I wish we had four warm-up games, or two meetings with Tier 1 teams, but it’s not up to us,” Maisashvili said in a Georgian Rugby Union statement.

Of his squad, he said: “We have been observing these rugby players for a long time, we know their abilities well, and I believe that the best 33 have been selected at this stage.”

Centre Merab Sharikadze leads Maisashvili’s side, the winners of the past five second-tier Rugby Europe Championships.

Wing Alexander Todua as well as fullback Lasha Khmaladze, both 35, will feature in their fourth World Cups, with Khmaladze also being able to feature at flyhalf.

There is also a place for exciting fullback Davit Niniashvili, who scored nine tries for French club Lyon last season as well as his domestic teammate, the abrasive flank Beka Saghinadze.

Georgia squad for the World Cup:

Forwards

Props: Mikheil Nariashvili, Guram Gogichashvili, Nika Abuladze, Beka Gigashvili, Guram Papidze, Luka Japaridze
Hookers: Shalva Mamukashvili, Luka Nioradze, Tengiz Zamtaradze
Locks: Kote Mikautadze, Nodar Cheishvili, Lasha Jaiana, Lado Chachanidze
Back row: Beka Gorgadze, Beka Saghinadze, Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Tornike Jalagonia, Mikheil Gachechiladze, Luka Ivanishvili

Backs

Scrumhalves: Vasil Lobzhanidze, Gela Aprasidze, Tengiz Peranidze
Flyhalves: Luka Matkava, Tedo Abzhandadze
Centres: Merab Sharikadze (captain), Tornike Kakhoidze, Demur Tafladze, Giorgi Kveseladze
Wings: Akaki Tabutsadze, Alexander Todua, Mirian Modebadze
Fullbacks: Davit Niniashvili, Lasha Khmaladze