On February 22 the Georgian national rugby union team will play Russia at the 2014 Nations Cup. It is also the 2015 World Cup qualifying match.

It will not be an ordinary match because in case of victory, “The Lelos” will guarantee playing at World Cup four times in a row. That is why, Bernard Lapasset, chairman of the International Rugby Board, will visit Tbilisi. The exemplary behavior of the fans on the tribunes is very important.  

It is very difficult to call a Georgian for not booing the Russian anthem (the Soviet anthem) but the rugby players ask the fans not to do it because those Russian rugby players have done nothing to the Georgians. In August 2008 the Russian Rugby Union was the only one which contacted the Georgian Rugby Union and apologized for the behavior of its government and supported the Georgians.

If not such political background, it is an ordinary match which the Georgians will win for sure. “The Lelos” lost to Russia only once, in 1993. Since then the Georgians have beat the Russians 15 times and played one draw on “Boris Paichadze” in 2002.

The upcoming match will start at 17:00. Tickets are available at the box offices. The price is 3 and 5 GEL.

Giorgi Nizharadze (president of the Georgian Rugby Union): “I want to inform our fans that Bernard Lapasset, chairman of the International Rugby Board, will attend the upcoming match. Other guests will also attend the match. These people will observe everything. The Georgians have hospitality in our blood. We do not play those Russian generals, right? We play the boys, friends of our boys who, believe me, are very decent people”.

Tedo Zibzibadze: We started preparing for the upcoming match on Monday. We lack some players due to injuries. On Saturday we want to show our fans a beautiful match

- The Russian national team did not play well in the last two matches. Will it give us a reason to relax?

- Yes, they did not play well but we will not lose concentration. We will be completely mobilized. We always hold tough matches against Russia.

- Can we say that 46:0 will be improved?

- It is difficult to say it. Everything will be found out on Saturday.

- In case of victory, the Georgian team will guarantee playing at the 2015 World Cup.

- Yes and it is our goal but if the match gives us a chance of bonus point, we will not refuse it. Our goal is to take the first place in the group.

- The Georgian fans always look forward to the match against Russia.

- I call the fans for coming to the stadium but I want them to be polite to the opponent. It will be good if they do not throw bottles and insult our opponent.

The Georgian national rugby union team: Mikheil Nariashvili (“Montpellier”, France), Zurab Zhvania (“Stade Francais”, France), Jaba Bregvadze (“Toulousain”, France), Shalva Mamukashvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), Davit Zirakashvili (“Clermont”, France), Levan Chilachava (“Toulonnais”, France), Levan Datunashvili (“Aurillac”, France), Kote Mikautadze (“Toulonnais”, France), Giorgi Nemsadze (“Tarbes”, France), Giorgi Chkhaidze (“Tarbes”, France), Givi Berishvili (“Lokomotiv”, Tbilisi), Mamuka Gorgodze (“Montpellier”, France), Vito Kolelishvili (“Lyon”, France), Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), Dimitri Basilaia (“Edinburgh”, Scotland), Giorgi Begadze (“Kochebi”, Tbilisi), Vazha Khutsishvili (“Kharebi”, Rustavi), Lasha Khmaladze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Lasha Malaghuradze (“Bagneres”, France), Merab Kvirikashvili (“Vienne”, France), Davit Kacharava (“Yenisey”, Russia), Tedo Zibzibadze (“Perigueux”, France), Tamaz Mchedlidze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France), Irakli Machkhaneli (“Armazi”, Tbilisi), Giorgi Shkinini (“Armia”, Tbilisi), Merab Sharikadze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France), Beka Tsiklauri (“Lokomotiv”, Tbilisi). 

The 2014 European Nations Cup. The 2015 World Cup qualifying

II circle. III round

February 22

Georgia – Russia

Romania – Spain

Belgium – Portugal

Zura Ksovreli