On Monday the Georgian national rugby union team started preparing for the match against Russia. On February 18 coaches trained the sportsmen.  

Only Giorgi Shkinini did not participate in the evening practice. In the morning practice he felt pain in groin but the medical examination did not show injury. Shkinini had a rest and it is not known if he will play against the Russians.

The practice lasted almost 3 hours. The rugby players practiced in the gym. Michael Bradley trained the players in fast offences. Then, Didier Bess trained them in static and close play.

The boys know the importance of this match but they ask the fans to respect the opponent. In case of beating Russia, the Georgian and the Romanian teams will guarantee playing at the 2015 World Cup.

Irakli Abuseridze (sports director of the GRU): “The team is preparing for the upcoming match. We have injured rugby players and I will not name them. But Davit Zirakashvili and Mamuka Gorgodze joined us. I think the boys will fulfil the instructions of the coaches.

My request is to respect the opponent. I have played Russia many times and I have never felt aggression from these boys”.

Merab Sharikadze: “As always, the match against Russia is important. I want to ask the fans to respect the opponent and support our team”.

Giorgi Chkhaidze: “We beat Russia every year but perhaps, we can lose one day. So, we are preparing and trying to be focused. We will try to fulfill the instructions of the coach and win this match”.

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