This morning the Georgian national rugby union team held an open practice on “Shevardeni” base. None of TV channels attended the practice. We could not take interviews after the end of the practice.

Hopefully, the situation will change and spectators will support “The Lelos” before three tough matches. These boys do their best for our country and we do not give them the same. We have all conditions to fill the tribunes – new, 4-page tickets which cost 3 and 1 GEL in Tbilisi and 3 GEL in Rustavi.

22566 spectators – record of North America is not the limit which we cannot overcome. We must show rugby is appreciated in Georgia.

As for the practice, coaches added Koki Tkhilaishvili and Levan Gogolashvili to the list. Overall, 30 rugby players are called up.

Now it is tough to determine who will play against Canada. But it is almost decided that Giorgi Chkhaidze will play in that match for sure.

On 9 November “The Lelos” will face Canada at 16:30 on “Dinamo Arena”. On 16 November the Georgians will play the USA in Rustavi and the match will start at 14:00. On 23 November the Georgian national team will play Samoa at 16:30 on “Mikheil Meskhi” in Tbilisi.

The Georgian national team:

First line: Davit Khinchigashvili (“Racing Metro”, France), Mikheil Nariashvili (“Montpellier”, France), Zurab Zhvania (“Stade Francais”, France), Simon Maisuradze (“Bagnerais”, France), Shalva Mamukashvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), Revaz Belkania (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Davit Kubriashvili (“Stade Francais”, France), Levan Chilachava (“Toulonnais”, France);

Second line: Konstantine Mikautadze (“Toulonnais”, France), Giorgi Chkhaidze (“Tarbes”, France), Levan Datunashvili (“Aurillac”, France);

Third line: Viktor Kolelishvili (“Lyon”, France), Mamuka Gorgodze (“Montpellier”, France), Shalva Sutiashvili (“Massy”, France), Givi Berishvili (“Lokomotiv”, Tbilisi), Dimitri Basilaia (“Edinburgh”, Scotland);

9-10: Giorgi Begadze (“Kochebi”, Bolnisi), Vazha Khutsishvili (“Kharebi”, Rustavi), Merab Kvirikashvili (“Vienne”, France), Lasha Malaguradze (“Bagnerais”, France), Lasha Khmaladze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi);

Back line: Merab Sharikadze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France), Davit Kacharava (“Yenisey”, Russia), Tedo Zibzibadze (“Perigueux”, France), Irakli Machkhaneli (“Armazi”, Tbilisi, cap.), Tamaz Mchedlidze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France), Irakli Kiasashvili (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Beka Tsiklauri (“Lokomotiv”, Tbilisi).

Zura Ksovreli