A few hours are left before the start of the match between the Georgian and the Russian national teams. The Russians stated they would do their best. We do not even need to think – successful series must go on.

The head coaches of the both teams held press conferences.

Kingsley Jones: “I know what it means for Georgia to play Russia. I am from Wales and I know the attitude of the little nations toward the big ones. Two years ago I watched the match on “Lokomotiv” and everything is clear for me. The boys and I are so dissatisfied with the match against Romania that we will do our best tomorrow.

We could have decided the fate of the match in the first 20 minutes against Romania but we could not use it and lost. Many thought it was not a good decision to bring the same players to Tbilisi but I think differently and now they must prove what they can do.

We lack some players but I chose the best ones. Hopefully, they will bring success. I watched the matches of the Georgians and your team plays differently now. Your team plays beautiful rugby”.

Alexander Voytov: “I promise we will fight till the end. You have developed a lot and it is a fact. We will do our best and we will try to show what we can do”.

Milton Haig: “We will be focused on the game and not the result. We know the whole country is waiting for this match. We gathered the best players. There is a big competition in our team and it is good.

The Russian team seems weak but this team beat Spain. We must play well in defense. I think we are physically and psychologically ready.

In spite of winning over Portugal, we have not played well and I told the boys tomorrow they must fulfill instructions perfectly. We must be proud after the final whistle”.

The 2014 European Nations Cup. The 2015 World Cup qualifying

II circle. III round

February 22

Tbilisi. “Dinamo Arena”. 17:00

Georgia – Russia

Georgia: 15. Merab Kvirikashvili (“Vienne”, France, 74 caps, 515 points), 14. Irakli Machkhaneli (“Armazi”, Tbilisi, cap. 69, 120), 13. Davit Kacharava (“Yenisey”, Russia, 70, 70), 12.  Merab Sharikadze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France, 20, 35), 11. Tamaz Mchedlidze (“Bourg-en-Bresse”, France, 12, 15), 10. Lasha Khmaladze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi, 28, 15), 9. Giorgi Begadze (“Kochebi”, Tbilisi, 19, 0); 1. Mikheil Nariashvili (“Montpellier”, France, 16, 5), 2. Jaba Bregvadze (“Toulousain”, France, 21, 5), 3. Davit Zirakashvili (“Clermont”, France, 42, 35), 4. Kote Mikautadze (“Toulonnais”, France, 17, 5), 5. Levan Datunashvili (“Aurillac”, France, 59, 15), 6. Vito Kolelishvili (“Lyon”, France, 26, 10), 7. Mamuka Gorgodze (“Montpellier”, France, 54, 110), 8. Dimitri Basilaia (“Edinburgh”, Scotland, 30, 25).

Substitutes: 16. Shalva Mamukashvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi, 18, 5), 17. Zurab Zhvania (“Stade Francais”, France, 5, 0), 18. Levan Chilachava (“Toulonnais”, France, 12, 15), 19. Giorgi Nemsadze (“Tarbes”, France, 35, 35), 20.  Giorgi Chkhaidze (“Tarbes”, France, 72, 45), 21. Vazha Khutsishvili (“Kharebi”, Rustavi, 8, 0), 22. Tedo Zibzibadze (“Perigueux”, France, 73, 100), 23. Lasha Malaghuradze (“Bagneres”, France, 43, 105).

Head coach: Milton Haig (New Zealand)

Coaches: Ilia Maisuradze, Ilia Zedginidze, Michael Bradley (Ireland), Didier Bess (France)

Russia: 15. Vasily Artemyev (“Krasny Yar”), 14. Andrey Otrokov (“Krasny Yar”), 13. Dimitry Gerasimov (“Yenisey-STM”), 12. Alexei Makovetskiy (“Krasny Yar”), 11. Igor Galinovsky (“Krasny Yar”), 10. Yuri Kushnarev (“Kuban”), 9. Alexander Yanushkin (“VVA-Podmoskovye”); 1. Aleksey Volkov (“VVA-Podmoskovye”), 2. Vladislav Korshunov (“VVA-Podmoskovye”), 3. Andrey Igretsov (“Slava”), 4. Alexander Voytov (“VVA-Podmoskovye”), 5. Kiril Kulemin (“Sale Sharks”, England), 6. Andrey Ostrikov (“Sale Sharks”, England), 7. Andrei Temnov (“Yenisey-STM”), 8. Viktor Gresev (“Krasny Yar”).

Substitutes: 16. Stanislav Selsky (“Yenisey-STM”), 17. Sergey Sekisov (“Slava”), 18. Innokenty Zykov (“Yenisey-STM”), 19. Pavel Butenko (“Yenisey-STM”), 20. Alexander Khudiakov (“Krasny Yar”), 21. Anton Ryabov (“Krasny Yar”), 22. Sergey Sugrobov, 23. Vladimir Rudenko (“Krasny Yar”).

Head coach: Kingsley Jones (Wales)

Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)

Assistant referees: Arnaud Blondel, Jonathan Gasnier

Romania – Spain

Belgium – Portugal

Zura Ksovreli