European Nations Cup

I do. Always interested in seeing how the other teams do but will admit to not following closely the last year or so.

16th March game between Romania and Georgia will be a real "gran final" for the 6 Nations B
table :
1.Georgia - 17 pts (4 V / 0 D / 0 L / 1 BP)
2.Romania - 17 pts (4 V / 0 D / 0 L / 1 BP)
3.Russia - 9 pts (2 V / 0 D / 2 L / 1 BP)
4.Portugal - 5 pts (1 V / 0 D / 3 D / 1 BP)
5.Belgium - 4 pts (0 V / 1 D / 3 D / 2 BP)
6.Spain - 3 pts (0 V / 1 D // 3 D / 1 BP)

Georgia extented squad :
Props : Vasil Kakovin (Stade Toulousain), Davit Zirakashvili (ASM Clermont), Davit Kubriashvili (RC Toulon), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier HRC), Zurab Zhvania (Stade Français), Davit Khinchagishvili (CA Brive)

Hookers : Jaba Bregvadze (Stade Toulousain), Irakli Natriashvili (CA Brive), Rezo Belkania (Lelo Tbilissi), Shalva Mamukashvili (Army Tbilissi)

Locks : Konstantin Mikautadze (RC Toulon), Levan Datunashvili (Stade Aurillacois), Giorgi Chkhaidze (Tarbes PR), Lasha Lomidze (Montpellier HRC)

Back row : Dimitri Basilaia (Edinburgh Rugby), Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier HRC), Vito Kolelishvili (ASM Clermont), Shalva Sutiashvili (RC Massy), Beka Bitsadze (Army Tbilissi)

Scrum halves : Giorgi Begadze (Batumi XV), Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi)

Fly halves : Merab Kvirikashvili (AS St Junien), Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Tbilissi)

Centres : Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College RFC), Davit Kacharava (Stade Rodez), Tedo Zibzibadze (CA Périgueux)

Wings : Tamaz Mchedlidze (Mont-de-Marsan), Irakli Machkhaneli (Armazi)

Full backs : Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomotiv Tbilissi), Irakli Kiasashvili (Lelo Tbilissi)

Do you mean Georgia and Romania? And your right their was no real media coverage of the rugby played.

I always wondered why the IRB didn't get the Barbarians to do a tour of Eastern Europe and play Romania, Georgia and Russia? It would be a good sell for everyone, get some big names for the Baba's and most of the sports channels will pick it up and it would raise the profile of rugby in these countries as well as giving them a match against strong opposition which is what they need. Thoughts?

Yes Romania v. Georgia

In 2006, Barbarians played in Tbilissi v. Georgia

Before some 10,000 spectators the Barbarians beat Georgia 28-19 in Tbilisi on Sunday afternoon. There was more than just a rugby match.

The Barbarians led 14-7 at half-time and the Lelos pulled back to 14-all early in the second half, but the Barbarians then added two more tries before the Lelos got their third just before the end.

The Barbarians had 25 players with them and all of them got a game. In fact, even coach Pat Howard joined in as one of the 25!

Paliko Jimsheladze, normally a fly-half but playing fullback in this match, became the first Georgian to win 50 caps for his country. In recognition of this feat he was presented with a commemorative cap. The presentation was made by Nodar Qipiani, the first captain of a Georgian national team.

After the match the Barbarians presented £10,000 for the development of rugby in Georgia.

The scorers:
For Barbarians:
Tries: Monye, Hanley 2, Hallett
Cons: Malone 3, Hallett

For Georgia:
Tries: Machkhaneli 2, Magrakvelidze
Cons: Barkalaia 2

Teams:
Georgia: 15 Paliko Jimsheladze (captain), 14 Otar Eloshvili, 13 Revaz Guigauri, 12 Irakli Guiorgadze, 11 Irakli Machkhaneli; 10 Otar Barkalaia, 9 Bidzina Samkharadze, 8 Besso Udessiani, 7 Rati Urushadze, 6 Ilia Maissuradze, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Mamuka Gorgodze, 3 Avtandil Kopaliani, 2 Akvsenti Guiorgadze, 1 Mamuka Magrakvelidze.
Replacements: 16 Michael Sujashvili, 17 David Khinchaguishvili, 18 Shalva Papashvili, 19 Zviad Maissuradze, 20 George Katcharava, 21 Lexo Gugava, 22 George Elizbarashvili.
Coaches: Malkhaz Tcheishvili, Paata Narimanashvili

Barbarians: 15 Neil Hallett, 14 Ugo Monye, 13 Tony Marsh, 12 Kevin Maggs, 11 Lee Robinson; 10 Chris Malone, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 8 Bob Skinstad (captain), 7 Will Skinner, 6 Brad Macleod-Henderson, 5 Simon Miall, 4 James Hamilton, 3 Darren Crompton, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Hottie Louw, 19 Daniel Browne, 20 Ian Vass, 21 Leon Lloyd, 22 Steve Hanley, 23 Jason Forster, 24 John Davies.
Coach: (who played) Pat Howard

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
Touch judges: Ucha Narimanidze, George Javakhishvili (both Georgia)

Good to know. After six years you'd think it was time for a new tour.

connachtexile wrote: Good to know. After six years you'd think it was time for a new tour.

Would definitely be something I would travel for.

sea_point wrote: This encapsulates the challenge facing the developing countries, especially those where soccer is king. It's easy enough draw sufficient big men to rugby who can be hewn into decent forwards, but they are seriously struggling to produce backs anywhere near an equivalent quality (only one back playing above National 1 (France Tier 3) in the entire Georgian squad.

It was really visible at the world cup where Romania and Georgia exclusively played 10 man rugby against the top tier nations and only really played any sort of expansive game against the other weaker nations.

I feel really passionate about seeing these countries being competitive sooner rather than later, but unless the IRB finds some way of assisting these nations in diverting more talent away from the round ball game then it'll only ever be a pipe dream...

If Italy is anything to go by I wouldn't hold my breathe. With all those soccer players you would think they could poach a good fly half every once in a while. But other than the Argentine they have not had anyone of note since rugby went pro. Admittedly their backs have improved over the years, but rarely is there someone to release them.

sea_point wrote: This encapsulates the challenge facing the developing countries, especially those where soccer is king. It's easy enough draw sufficient big men to rugby who can be hewn into decent forwards, but they are seriously struggling to produce backs anywhere near an equivalent quality (only one back playing above National 1 (France Tier 3) in the entire Georgian squad.

In fact there is an other winger professionnal (Sandro Todua from Albi, ProD2) but he was not called up since Irakli Machkhaneli was back as captain
You're right but there are some young promising backs, all born 1993, in the squad
Tamaz Mchedlidze started 5 Amlin Cup games this season and Toulon want to sign him
Merab Sharikadze, plays for Hartpury College in BUCS Championship, last year he played some games for Gloucester U19 and were at a trial in Montpellier in order to sign for the team next season
Vazha Khutsishvili, plays in Georgia but have a great potential too

Next generation (1994-1995) have a big potential, last year they won over Italy U18 during U18 european trophy

This year Georgia U18 preparing hard 2013 U18 trophy. Last month the team played v. London Wasps U18 and won easily 46-12. Now Georgia U18 have to play 2 games v. Heartpool College U18 and England U18.
First European U18 trophy game will be v.Ireland

Vazha Khutsishvili, plays in Georgia but have a great potential too

What position does Khutsishvilli play?

Hopefully with the advent of 7's more backs will start coming through for these teams. Russia's funding has meant to have gone up for Rugby as they only sponsor Olympic sports and with 7's now an official Olympic sport it makes it easier for the rugby teams to get government funding. With Georgia making such strides I'm sure more kids will start taking an interest. It should be places like this that the IRB should be aggressively focusing on to build the sport of Rugby.

scrum half

Romania - Georgia :

Romania :
1.Mihaita Lazar (Castres Olympique)
2.Andrei Radoi (CSM Baia Mare)
3.Paulica Ion (London Welsh)
4.Vali Ursache (US Oyonnax)
5.Marius Sirbe (Tarbes PR)
6.Viorel Lucaci (Steaua Bucuresti)
7.Mihai Macovei (capt, Sporting Nazairien)
8.Daniel Carpo (RCM Timisoara)
9.Florin Surugiu (CSM Bucuresti)
10.Ionut Dimofte (Stade Rouen)
11.Adrian Matei (USA Limoges)
12.Florin Vlaicu (Steaua Bucuresti)
13.Robert Dascalu (Steaua Bucuresti)
14.Marian Apostol (RCJ Farul Constanta)
15.Catalin Fercu (RCM Timisoara)

16.Andrei Ursache (US Carcassonne)
17.Eugen Capatana (RCM Timisoara)
18.Horaciu Pungea (RCM Timisoara)
19.Alin Coste (Bourg-en-Bresse)
20.Alexandru Mitu (CSM Bucuresti)
21.Ciprian Caplescu (Dinamo Bucuresti)
22.Csaba Gal (CSM Baia Mare)
23.Ionut Nascu (CSM Baia Mare)


Georgia :
1.Vasil Kakovin (Stade Toulousain)
2.Jaba Bregvadze (Stade Toulousain)
3.Davit Zirakashvili (ASM Clermont)
4.Giorgi Chkhaidze (Tarbes PR)
5.Kote Mikautadze (RC Toulon)
6.Vito Kolelishvili (ASM Clermont)
7.Mamuka Gorgodze (Montpellier HRC)
8.Dimitri Basilaia (Edinburgh Rugby)
9.Giorgi Begadze (Batumi XV)
15.Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Tbilissi)
14.Irakli Machkhaneli (capt, Armazi)
12.Merab Sharikadze (Hartpury College)
13.Tedo Zibzibadze (CA Périgueux)
11.Tamaz Mchedlidze (Stade Montois)
10.Merab Kvirikashvili (AS St Junien)

16.Irakli Natriashvili (CA Brive)
17.Zurab Zhvania (Stade Français)
18.Davit Kubriashvili (RC Toulon)
19.Levan Datunashvili (Stade Aurillacois)
20.Shalva Sutiashvili (RC Massy)
21.Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi)
22.Davit Kacharava (Stade Rodez)
23.Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomotiv Tbilissi)

Do you know any good blogs for Georgian rugby Croket? In English obviously.