Georgia national rugby union team

National rugby union team

For the sevens team, see Georgia national rugby sevens team.

Georgia

Nicknames| Borjgalosnebi
Lelos
Emblem| Borjgali
Union| Georgian Rugby Union
Most caps| Davit Kacharava (122)
Top scorer| Merab Kvirikashvili (838)
Top try scorer| Aka Tabutsadze (50)
Home stadium| Various

First colours

Second colours

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World Rugby ranking
Current| 11 (as of 10 February 2025)
Highest| 11 (2016, 2019, 2023, 2025)
Lowest| 23 (2004)
First international
Georgia 16–3 Zimbabwe
(Kutaisi, Georgia; 12 September 1989)
Biggest win
Georgia 110–0 Switzerland
(Tbilisi, Georgia; 1 February 2025)
Biggest defeat
England 84–6 Georgia
(Perth, Australia; 12 October 2003)
World Cup
Appearances| 7 (first in 2003)
Best result| Pool stage (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023)
Website| rugby.ge/nationalteam

The Georgia national rugby union team,[1] nicknamed The Lelos,[2] is administered by the Georgian Rugby Union. The team takes part in the annual Rugby Europe Championship, and the Rugby World Cup which takes place every four years and in which it has appeared continuously since 2003.

Georgia is currently considered one of the strongest second-tier rugby union nations. It is one of the world's fastest-growing rugby nations.[citation needed] The Lelos participate in the Rugby Europe Championship, winning the tournament in 2001 and every year since 2006–08, with the exception of 2017. The bulk of the national squad are based in France, in both the Top 14 and lower divisions. This is a practice that was popularised by the former national team coach, Claude Saurel, a Frenchman. Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Georgia, with many similarities to the ancient Georgian folk-sport of Lelo burti, from which the national team derives its nickname. The national team qualified for the Rugby World Cup six times, first in 2003 – playing against rugby powers such as England and South Africa. The Lelos won their first ever World Cup match in 2007, when they beat Namibia 30–0. Since 2013, Georgia has hosted the World Rugby Tbilisi Cup.

## Honours

[edit]

* Rugby Europe International Championship
* Winners (17): 2001, 2006–08, 2008–09, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (record)
* Antim Cup
* Winners (19): 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (1), 2023 (2), 2024, 2025 (record)

## History

[edit]

Main article: Rugby union in Georgia

### Soviet era

[edit]

There were several unsuccessful attempts to introduce a rugby union into Georgia, the earliest known being in 1928, with subsequent attempts also in 1940 and in 1948. Rugby was introduced to Georgia by Jacques Haspekian, an Armenian man from Marseille in France who taught the game to students in the late 1950s through to the mid-1960s, although he then subsequently returned in France. He is still alive and living in Marseilles, he was interviewed on French radio on the occasion of Georgia playing France in the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The first rugby session was held on 15 October 1959 in Tbilisi, at the racecourse, where 20 people attended the meeting. The first Georgian club formed was the GPI (Georgian Polytechnical Institute), now known as "Qochebi".

Rugby's popularity in Georgia might be explained by its resemblance to the traditional Georgian game named "Lelo" or "Lelo Burti" (meaning "Field Ball"). This game was played in Georgia from ancient times and is still played on occasions in rural areas. A field ("Lelo") was selected between two river creeks which represented a playing ground. Two teams, usually consisting of the male population of neighboring villages, would face each other. The number of players from each side was not set, but included any able men each village could summon. A large, heavy ball was placed in the middle of the field and the goal of the game was to carry it over the river creek of the opposing side.

The first teams appeared in 1959. The Georgia Rugby Union was founded in 1964, but until the late 1980s it was part of the Soviet Union's rugby federation. The rugby union connection between France and Georgia started as links were established by the then powerful French Communist Party and many other left-wing organisations. Georgia initially did not have its own team and its best players would play for the USSR team.

In 1988 Georgia produced their first national sevens side, while still a Soviet republic. In September 1989, Georgia got together with other FIRA countries to host a tour by Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's first match on the tour was in the wet against Georgia in Kutaisi, west of Tbilisi, which Georgia won 16–3. The next year Georgia went to Zimbabwe where they played two tests, losing the first in Bulawayo and winning the second 26–10 in Harare.

### 1990s

[edit]

On 9 April 1991 Georgia declared independence from the Soviet Union. Georgia was now a rugby union nation but getting matches was not easy: Commonwealth of Independent States, which Georgia did not join, was the successor team of the Soviet Union and played matches in 1992. Georgia were limited to the odd game against Ukraine until they gained membership of the World Rugby in 1992.

French coach, Claude Saurel, first arrived in Georgia in 1997 with a brief to assess the standard of sport; he and his development team have helped boost the profile of the sport. Saurel went on to work with the Georgia national rugby sevens team, until he was appointed as the national coach in the summer of 1999.

Georgia's 1998 loss to Romania saw them play a two legged repechage play-off against Tonga to qualify for the 1999 World Cup. On that occasion Georgia lost the first leg 37–6 in Nukuʻalofa before a 28–27 win in Tbilisi. This was not enough and Georgia failed to qualify.

### 2000s: World Cup play

[edit]

Georgia against the Springboks during the Rugby World Cup 2003 Georgian team celebrating victory

After France and Italy dropped from the reborn European Nations Cup, Georgia became a major force in the tournament. In 2000, Georgia finished second in the competition, finishing behind Romania. Rugby union took off in the country, the travel and opportunities to land lucrative contracts in France made rugby union a glamorous pursuit in Georgia. Georgia placed second in the 2001–02 tournament. When Georgia played Russia in the European Nations Cup 65,000 people crammed into the national stadium in Tbilisi.

Georgian first made an impact at Rugby Sevens by finishing a respectable 10th in the 2001 edition of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Argentina.

In October 2002 Georgia faced Russia, in what was at the time one of the most important clashes ever between the two national sides. The victorious nation would head to the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and the loser would be relegated to fight it out for a repechage position. Neither nation had ever been to a World Cup, though Georgia had come close in 1999. 50,000[3] spectators turned out to the national stadium. Both nations kicked penalty goals in the first half, but Russia moved ahead with a 13–9 lead through a try, but Georgia were able to score a try of their own just before half time, with Levan Tsabadze putting them in front 14–13 at the break. Georgia held on, winning 17–13, a victory which sparked celebrations throughout the capital.[4] Three of the 75 French-based Georgian players were denied permission to play in the tournament and were suspended. Another five were sacked and arrived in Australia as free agents. In a warm-up game held in Asti the Georgians lost to Italians 31–22.

In the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Georgia were grouped into pool C alongside giants – South Africa and England. They suffered their heaviest ever defeat when beaten by England 84–6 in their opening game. In their second match, Samoa comfortably eased to a 46–9 victory. Although they performed well against the Springboks (losing 46–19) they were disappointingly defeated by Uruguay 24–12, in a match that they were expected to win. They lost all four of their matches but had impressed against South Africa. Despite the sad financial state of their union, qualification has seen the sport's profile rise throughout Georgia.

Lineout for Georgia during their loss to Ireland in the 2007 World Cup.

In the 2007 Rugby World Cup Georgia were drawn against Argentina, Ireland, Namibia and tournament hosts France in Pool D. The team recorded their first win in the rugby world cup with a 30–0 win over Namibia in their Pool D match at Stade Felix-Bollaert. The foundation for the victory was laid by Georgia's experienced forward pack who wore down their opponents at the breakdown. The 2007 world cup campaign is also well remembered for Georgians by a brilliant display against Ireland, where Georgia narrowly lost the match 10–14. The tournament was over with 7–64 defeat to hosts France on 30 September.

### 2010–2019

[edit]

Georgia vs Romania at Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North. Georgia won 25–9.

At 2011 Rugby World Cup, Georgia's Pool B included England, Argentina and Scotland, as well as local rivals Romania. Despite the close nature of their pool, Georgia were impressive in all matches, including a tight match against Scotland which was lost 15–6, thus missing a bonus point narrowly and a 41–10 loss against England, which featured a man-of-the-match performance by flanker Mamuka Gorgodze. Georgia went on to record only their second ever Rugby World Cup win against Romania, winning 25–9 with another man-of-the-match performance by Mamuka Gorgodze. Georgia finished their campaign with a strong showing against Argentina, leading 7–5 at half time before conceding 20 unanswered points to lose 25–7. Thus Georgia finished their campaign with 1 win and 3 losses.

In the 2015 Rugby World Cup Georgia played against Tonga, Argentina, title holders New Zealand and the top African qualifier Namibia in Pool C. The group opener finished with Georgia's 17–10 victory against Tonga. their third win in a World Cup match. Georgia lost their second match against Argentina 9–54, after trailing 14–9 at half-time. In the third match Georgia were defeated by New Zealand 43–10 in Cardiff. Again in the first half The Lelos held very well against the All Blacks, trailing the world champions 22–10. In the last match Georgia defeated Namibia 17–16 to finish third, their highest in a world cup, and securing their qualification for 2019 Rugby World Cup at the same time.

Georgia vs Japan at Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in 2014 Georgia vs Japan at Toyota Stadium in 2018

In 2016, Georgia once again cemented its claim to be the seventh best national rugby team in Europe, when they won the European Nations Cup for the sixth consecutive time, with 10 wins from 10 matches. In the 2016 mid-year internationals the Lelos traveled to the Pacific islands for the first time and finished the historic tour unbeaten with 19–19 draw against Samoa, 23–20 victory against Tonga and 14–3 victory against Fiji.

### 2019 World Cup

[edit]

Georgia is approaching the 2019 World Cup with confidence, it has just won three of the four European Nations Championship and has a squad that combines youth (Abzhandadze, Kveseladze) and experience (Mamukashvili, Chilachava, Bregvadze). The Georgian federation aims to reproduce the same performance as in 2015 by finishing third in the group. However, Georgia inherits a strong field made up of Australia, Wales, Fiji and Uruguay. On 23 September, the Lelos began the competition by facing Wales with a 43–14 for the British. Six days later, Uruguay faced the Georgians, four days after the South Americans created the feat by beating the Fijians 30–27. Final score for the Lelos 33–7. Georgia then meets Fiji, their rival for third place which means automatic qualification for 2023 in a 10–45 match for the islanders where we will see 3/4 Georgians. Georgia ended up with an honorable 27–8 defeat against the already qualified Australians. The results are disappointing for the Georgians. The team finished fourth behind Fiji and will have to go through the qualification box for 2023. During this Cup, Georgia showed progress but still lacks organization from an offensive point of view, individual and collective quality for three quarters. and often breaks down during the hour of play on a physical level.

### 2020–2023

[edit]

Georgia vs Italy, 2022 Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili with the Georgian team after their historic win against Italy in Batumi, 2022

For this post-World Cup year, Georgia faces two significant changes. Milton Haig, who left after a positive record, has been replaced by his deputy Levan Maisashvili. Additionally, the squad must undergo a renewal process following the retirement of key players such as Mamukashvili, Begadze, and Malaguradze.

On 1 February, Georgia clashed with their Romanian rivals in the 2020 European Nations Championship, concluding with a 41–13 victory for the Lelos. Subsequent matches included a 10–23 loss to the Spaniards, a dominant 78–6 victory against the Belgians, and a close 24–39 battle against Portugal. Despite their promising performance, the Lelos' journey in the competition was abruptly halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October, the Georgian federation received an invitation to participate in the Autumn Nations Cup, which brought together the six teams from the Six Nations Tournament, Fiji, and Georgia. Placed in a pool with England, Ireland, and Wales, the Georgians finished last in the competition after conceding a classification match against Fiji. In July 2022, Georgia beat a Tier 1 nation for the first time, Italy, 28–19. In November 2022, Georgia beat Wales 13–12 in Cardiff. During the European Rugby Championship 2023, Georgia again dominated its opponents and clinched the 15th title.

### 2023 World Cup

[edit]

During the 2023 Rugby World Cup Georgia dramatically underperformed to what was expected. Playing in a pool lacking one of the four tournament favourites, but notable for strength in depth, Georgia aiming to cause an upset against one of the three tier one sides and guarantee automatic qualification for 2027, but last in their pool having not won a game, despite some relatively strong showings.

They got off to a rocky start with a 35–15 loss to Australia on 9 September; though not expected to win they were thought they might put up a better fight. Next, more concerningly, on 23 September they drew with the only other Tier two team in the pool, Portugal by a score of 18–18 in a match they were expected to win; 7 days later they put up a strong fight against Fiji but were eventually defeated 17–12 before finishing on 7 October getting well beaten by Wales 43–19. A shock victory for Portugal against Fiji condemned Georgia to fifth place in the pool, although the extension of the 2027 World Cup to 24 teams announced shortly afterwards relieved some of the concerns for future qualification. Georgia returned to form, however, in the following Rugby Europe Internationally championship, once more winning the second-tier competition convincingly.

### 2024–Present

[edit]

Traditionally, Georgia started 2024 with won 2024 Rugby Europe Championship.

After a win to Netherlands in the 2025 Rugby Europe Championship, Georgia qualified for the 2027 Men's Rugby World Cup.[5]

## Lelo

[edit]

A Lelo ball at the Shukhuti cemetery.

Lelo or lelo burti (Georgian: ლელო ბურთი), literally a "field ball [playing]", is a Georgian folk sport, which is a full contact ball game, and very similar to rugby, itself a public school codification of older folk football games.[6] Within Georgian rugby union terminology, the word lelo is used to mean a try, and the popularity of rugby union in Georgia has also been attributed to it.[7] In 2014, lelo burti, along with khridoli, a traditional martial art, was inscribed by the government of Georgia as a "nonmaterial monument" of culture.[8]

It appears in the 12th century Georgian epic poem The Knight in the Panther's Skin in which the characters play lelo burti.

## Kits

[edit]

### Kit evolution

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Georgia national rugby union team kits.

RWC 2003

RWC 2007

RWC 2011

RWC 2015

2017–18

RWC 2019

2020–21

2022–23

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RWC 2003

RWC 2007

RWC 2011

RWC 2015

2017–18

RWC 2019

2020–21

2022–23

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## Record

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Main article: List of Georgia national rugby union team results against Tier-1 nations

### Wins against tier-one nations

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10 July 2022  | Georgia | 28–19 |  Italy | Batumi Stadium, Batumi |

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20:00 GET (UTC+4)  | Try: Todua 11' m
Abzhandadze (2) 13' c, 36' c
Con: Abzhandadze (2/3) 14', 37'
Pen: Abzhandadze (2/3) 55', 78'
Aprasidze (1/1) 71'
|  | Try: Menoncello 20' c
Con: Allan (1/1) 21'
Pen: Allan (4/5) 27', 33', 51', 72'
| Attendance: ~20,000
Referee: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
19 November 2022  | Wales | 12–13 |  Georgia | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff |

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13:00 GMT (UTC+0)  | Try: Morgan (2) 20' c, 24' m
Con: Priestland (1/2) 21'
| Report | Try: Todua 59' c
Con: Abzhandadze (1/1) 60'
Pen: Abzhandadze (1/2) 2'
Matkava (1/1) 78'
| Attendance: 63,585
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
13 July 2024  | Japan | 23–25 |  Georgia | Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai |

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19:05 JST (UTC+09)  | Try: Naikabula 3' c
Osada 64' c
Con: Lee (2/2) 4', 65'
Pen: Lee (3/3) 17', 25', 56'
| Report | Try: Karkadze 20' m
Alania 28' c
Javakhia 74' c
Con: Matkava (2/3) 29', 75'
Pen: Matkava (2/2) 9', 12'
| Attendance: 15,903
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

### Overall

[edit]

Men's World Rugby Rankings

* v
* t
* e

Top 20 as of 5 May 2025[9] Rank | Change[i] | Team | Points

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1  |  |  South Africa | 092.78
2  |  |  New Zealand | 090.36
3  |  |  Ireland | 089.83
4  |  |  France | 089.51
5  |  |  Argentina | 084.97
6  |  |  England | 084.73
7  |  |  Scotland | 082.36
8  |  |  Australia | 081.52
9  |  |  Fiji | 080.07
10  |  |  Italy | 077.77
11  |  |  Georgia | 074.69
12  |  |  Wales | 073.39
13  |  |  Japan | 072.95
14  |  |  Samoa | 072.68
15  |  |  United States | 070.02
16  |  |  Spain | 067.34
17  |  |  Uruguay | 067.06
18  |  |  Portugal | 066.44
19  |  |  Tonga | 065.46
20  |  |  Romania | 064.61
21  |  |  Chile | 061.72
22  |  |  Belgium | 059.98
23  |  |  Hong Kong | 059.49
24  |  |  Canada | 059.18
25  |  |  Namibia | 057.87
26  |  |  Zimbabwe | 057.16
27  |  |  Netherlands | 057.01
28  |  |  Brazil | 056.53
29  |  |  Switzerland | 055.26
30  |  |  Poland | 054.06

1. ^ Change from the previous week

Georgia's historical rankings

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. Updates on reimplementing the Graph extension, which will be known as the Chart extension, can be found on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.

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See or edit source data.

Source: World Rugby[9]
Graph updated to 5 May 2025

Georgia has won 175 of their 281 representative matches, a winning record of 62.28%. Since World Rankings were introduced by World Rugby in September 2003, Georgia have occupied below number ten the majority of the time. Georgia have consistently ranked as the seventh European nation in men's rugby, immediately below the Six Nations, for two decades.

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Georgia national XV at test level up until 16 March 2025, updated after match with  Spain.[10]

Opponent  | Played  | Won  | Drawn  | Lost  | For  | Aga

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Argentina | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 66 | 186
Argentina XV | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 78 | 91
Australia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 52 | 102
Barbarians | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 28
Belgium | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 254 | 31
Bulgaria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 8
Canada | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 145 | 141
Chile | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 53 | 36
Croatia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 15
Czech Republic | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 310 | 58
Denmark | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 8
England | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 165
Fiji | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 121 | 200
France | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 105
French Barbarians | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 15
French Universities | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 20
Germany | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 521 | 64
Ireland | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 41 | 219
Emerging Ireland | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 32 | 105
Italy | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 91 | 149
Italy A | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 115 | 162
Japan | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 121 | 173
Kazakhstan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 5
Latvia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 3
Luxembourg | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 10
Moldova | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 5
Morocco | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 10
Namibia | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 112 | 73
Netherlands | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 395 | 114
New Zealand | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 43
All Blacks XV | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 31
Poland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 29 | 52
Portugal | 27 | 19 | 4 | 4 | 677 | 372
Romania | 30 | 20 | 1 | 9 | 703 | 457
Russia | 26 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 621 | 273
Samoa | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 110 | 135
Scotland | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 54 | 219
Scotland A | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 90
South Africa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 86
South Africa A | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 84 | 108
Spain | 27 | 23 | 1 | 3 | 898 | 400
Switzerland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 132 | 21
Tonga | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 141 | 148
Ukraine | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 281 | 63
United States | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 139 | 153
Uruguay | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 152 | 97
Wales | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 52 | 129
Zimbabwe | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 58 | 35
Total | 287 | 179 | 10 | 98 | 7,029 | 5,199

### Recent results

[edit]

The following is a list of Georgia's recent match results, as well as upcoming scheduled fixtures, during the 12 months up to and including November 2025:

Win Draw Loss Upcoming

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1 February 2025  | Georgia | 110-0 |  Switzerland |  Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |

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16:00 GET (UTC+4)  |  |  |  |

* * *

8 February 2025  | Georgia | 40-7 |  Netherlands |  Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |

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15:00 GET (UTC+4)  |  |  |  |

* * *

16 February 2025  | Spain | 32-62 |  Georgia |  Estadio Nacional Complutense, Madrid |

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12:45 CET (UTC+1)  |  |  |  |

* * *

2 March 2025  | Georgia | 43-5 |  Romania |  Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi |

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15:00 GET (UTC+4)  |  |  |  |

* * *

16 March 2025  | Georgia | 46-28 |  Spain |  Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi |

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16:00 GET (UTC+4)  |  |  |  |

* * *

5 July 2025  | Georgia | v |  Ireland |  Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi |

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12 July 2025  | Cheetahs | v |  Georgia |  Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein[11] |

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19 July 2025  | South Africa | v |  Georgia |  Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit |

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22 November 2025  | Georgia | v |  Japan |  TBA  |

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### World Cup

[edit]

Main article: Georgia at the Rugby World Cup

Georgia has competed in six Rugby World Cup tournaments. Their first appearance was in 2003 when they were placed in Pool C with England, South Africa, Uruguay and Samoa. In 2007 Georgia recorded their first win in the Rugby World Cup with a 30–0 win over Namibia in their Pool D match at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The Lelos best performance was in 2015, where they finished third in a group for the first time. Georgia have to date won five World Cup matches, drawn one and lost eighteen.

Rugby World Cup record |  | Qualification

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Year  | Round  | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad  | Head coach  | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA
1987 | Part of the Soviet Union:
Not an independent country | —
1991
1995 | Did not qualify | 3rd  | 2  | 0  | 0  | 2  | 15  | 38
1999 | P/O | 8  | 4  | 0  | 4  | 131  | 221
2003 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 0  | 0  | 4  | 46  | 200  | Squad | C. Saurel | 2nd  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 31  | 76
2007 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 50  | 111  | Squad | M. Cheishvili | P/O  | 14  | 10  | 1  | 3  | 426  | 182
2011 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 48  | 90  | Squad | R. Dickson | 1st  | 10  | 8  | 1  | 1  | 326  | 132
2015 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 53  | 123  | Squad | M. Haig | 1st  | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 286 | 106
2019 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 1  | 0  | 3  | 65  | 122  | Squad | Automatically qualified
2023 | Pool Stage  | 4  | 0  | 1  | 3  | 64  | 113  | Squad | L. Maisashvili | 1st  | 10  | 9  | 1  | 0  | 325  | 146
2027 | Qualified | 1st  | 3  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 212  | 39
2031 | To be determined | To be determined
Total  | —  | 24  | 5  | 1  | 18  | 326  | 759  | —  | —  | —  | 59  | 44  | 4  | 11  | 1752  | 940

* Champions
* Runners–up
* Third place
* Fourth place
* Home venue

### Other tournaments

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Season  |  G |  W |  D |  L |  PF |  PA |  Pts |  Pos

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FIRA 1992–94 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 60 | 34 | 8 | 1st
1995 Rugby World Cup qualification | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 38 | 2 | 3nd
FIRA 1995–96 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 61 | 10 | 2nd
FIRA 1996–97 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 87 | 84 | 6 | 4nd
1999 Rugby World Cup qualification | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 74 | 60 | 10 | 2nd
1999 RWC qualification playoff | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 34 | 64 | — | DNQ

### Rugby European Championships

[edit]

Georgia compete annually in the Rugby Europe Championship (previously named European Nations Cup). They have won the tournament 17 times in 2001, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.Since 2017 they have won seven consecutive titles and are unbeaten, with a single draw the only mark on the ir record in that time.

ENC champions

Results correct up until 2 March 2025

Season  |  G |  W |  D |  L |  PF |  PA |  Pos

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2000 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 145 | 105 | 2nd
2001 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 167 | 68 | 1st
2002 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 184 | 84 | 2nd
2003–04 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 193 | 148 | 3rd
2005–06 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 353 | 125 | 2nd
2007–08 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 292 | 114 | 1st
2009–2010 | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 328 | 130 | 1st
2011–2012 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 316 | 83 | 1st
2013–2014 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 286 | 106 | 1st
2015–2016 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 346 | 75 | 1st
2017 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 44 | 2nd
2018 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 188 | 35 | 1st
2019 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 162 | 34 | 1st
2020 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 197 | 60 | 1st
2021 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 153 | 73 | 1st
2022 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 172 | 73 | 1st
2023 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 225 | 41 | 1st
2024 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 176 | 82 | 1st
2025 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 301 | 72 | 1st
Total | 130 | 112 | 5 | 13 | 4080 | 1463 | –

### Antim Cup

[edit]

Main article: Antim Cup

The Antim Cup is contested between Georgia and Romania each time the teams meet in a senior international match other than World Cup matches or qualifiers. The holder retains the cup unless the challenger wins the match, and there is no extra time in case of a draw. It is named after the Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan Anthim the Iberian, who came from Georgia.

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

On 20 January 2025, Georgia named the squad for their 2025 Rugby Europe Championship.[12]

Head Coach: Richard Cockerill

* Caps updated: 17 November 2024 (after game v Italy)
* On 24 February Rochard Cockerill updated the squad:

Player  | Position | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Club/province

|
|
|
|

Vano Karkadze | Hooker |  (2000-06-25) 25 June 2000 (age 24) | 16  |  Montpellier
Nika Sutidze | Hooker |  (2003-09-01) 1 September 2003 (age 21) | 0  |  Stade Rochelais
Irakli Kvatadze | Hooker |  (1997-03-08) 8 March 1997 (age 28) | 0  |  Black Lion
Nika Abuladze | Prop |  (1995-08-20) 20 August 1995 (age 29) | 16  |  Montpellier
Irakli Aptsiauri | Prop |  (2003-02-23) 23 February 2003 (age 22) | 11  |  Lyon
Giorgi Akhaladze | Prop |  (1999-04-13) 13 April 1999 (age 26) | 7  |  ASM Clermont
Luka Japaridze | Prop |  (1998-09-06) 6 September 1998 (age 26) | 9  |  Montpellier
Giorgi Mamaiashvili | Prop |  (2003-02-26) 26 February 2003 (age 22) | 5  |  Grenoble
Bachuki Tchumbadze | Prop |  (2001-11-30) 30 November 2001 (age 23) | 0  |  Black Lion
Mikheil Babunashvili | Lock |  (1996-05-31) 31 May 1996 (age 28) | 11  |  Black Lion
Lado Chachanidze | Lock |  (2000-05-14) 14 May 2000 (age 24) | 20  |  Black Lion
Guram Ghaniashvili | Lock |  (2003-01-30) 30 January 2003 (age 22) | 2  |  Black Lion
Giorgi Javakhia | Lock |  (1996-09-24) 24 September 1996 (age 28) | 15  |  Grenoble
Beka Gorgadze | Back row |  (1998-02-08) 8 February 1998 (age 27) | 45  |  Pau
Luka Ivanishvili | Back row |  (2001-11-25) 25 November 2001 (age 23) | 16  |  Black Lion
Beka Saghinadze | Back row |  (1998-10-29) 29 October 1998 (age 26) | 42  |  Lyon
Beka Shvangiradze | Back row |  (2002-06-12) 12 June 2002 (age 22) | 3  |  Lyon
Ilia Spanderashvili | Back row |  (1997-09-10) 10 September 1997 (age 27) | 9  |  Valence Romans
Giorgi Tsutskiridze | Back row |  (1996-11-26) 26 November 1996 (age 28) | 39  |  Black Lion
Mikheil Alania | Scrum-half |  (1999-11-19) 19 November 1999 (age 25) | 5  |  Aurillac
Gela Aprasidze | Scrum-half |  (1998-01-14) 14 January 1998 (age 27) | 54  |  Perpignan
Vasil Lobzhanidze | Scrum-half |  (1996-10-14) 14 October 1996 (age 28) | 88  |  Oyonnax
Luka Matkava | Fly-half |  (2001-10-05) 5 October 2001 (age 23) | 23  |  Black Lion
Luka Tsirekidze | Fly-half |  (2004-08-25) 25 August 2004 (age 20) | 1  |  Black Lion
Tornike Kakhoidze | Centre |  (2003-08-16) 16 August 2003 (age 21) | 7  |  Black Lion
Giorgi Kveseladze | Centre |  (1997-11-11) 11 November 1997 (age 27) | 61  |  Grenoble
Georges Shvelidze | Centre |  (2003-10-26) 26 October 2003 (age 21) | 0  |  Brive
Demur Tapladze | Centre |  (2000-03-18) 18 March 2000 (age 25) | 40  |  Black Lion
Shalva Aptsiauri | Wing |  (2003-02-28) 28 February 2003 (age 22) | 0  |  Black Lion
Amiran Shvangiradze | Wing |  (1997-08-22) 22 August 1997 (age 27) | 0  |  Black Lion
Aka Tabutsadze | Wing |  (1997-08-19) 19 August 1997 (age 27) | 44  |  Black Lion
Alexander Todua | Wing |  (1987-11-02) 2 November 1987 (age 37) | 115  |  Black Lion
Davit Niniashvili | Fullback |  (2002-07-14) 14 July 2002 (age 22) | 33  |  Lyon
Dachi Papunashvili | Fullback |  (2001-10-20) 20 October 2001 (age 23) | 0  |  Aurillac

### Notable former players

[edit]

Mamuka Gorgodze

Mamuka Gorgodze – Switched to rugby from basketball aged 17. His first club was Lelo in the Georgian Top League, he was soon selected for the Georgia national team and made his debut in 2003 against Spain, at the age of just 18 and not long after he started playing rugby. However he was not selected for Georgia's first appearance at the 2003 Rugby World Cup later that year. In 2004 he became a regular fixture for the Georgia side. He was a regular in the Georgia side though and was selected for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and started three of Georgia's four matches at the World Cup, being one of Georgia's star players. Gorgodze became a success as flanker during this season, and halfway through the season French newspaper L'Équipe commented that he improved his technique and became a mobile and unstoppable player. Gorgodze played a big role in Montpellier finishing the 2010–11 Top 14 season as runners up.[13] At the end of the season L'Équipe named him as the best foreigner in the league. He was selected for the Georgia squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup and played all the Georgia matches, being named man of the match in two matches, against England and Romania.[citation needed]

Davit Zirakashvili

Davit Zirakashvili – originally came from a wrestling background, but switched to rugby in 2000. He moved to France in 2002 to play with Fédérale 1 side Aubenas. He moved up the leagues to the Top 14 in the 2004/05 season to play with Clermont where he joined his Georgian compatriot Goderdzi Shvelidze. He also made his debut for Georgia in 2004 against Uruguay. He soon became an important member of both the Clermont and Georgia side. He played in all four of the consecutive Top 14 finals Clermont reached between 2007 and 2010, he scored a try in the 2008 Top 14 final against Toulouse and in 2010 became the first Georgian player to win the Top 14, and represented Georgia in both the 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups. In 2010, Zirakashvili was voted Georgian sportsman of the year after some crucial performances for both club and country. He was part of a Georgian scrum which scored three penalty tries and also a pushover try in the calendar year, he also a memorable solo try from 45 metres out against Russia in Trabzon and an important try against Canada. His scrummaging was a key factor in Georgia recording wins against both Canada and USA for the first time, whilst at club level he was part of Clermont's Top 14 winning side. Zirakashvili was also mentioned as one of the best tighthead props of the year in world rugby by The Daily Telegraph.

Ilia Zedginidze

Ilia Zedginidze – Played as a Number 8 and was a lineout specialist. A member of their inaugural World Cup side in 2003, he captained Georgia in the 2007 tournament, but was forced out of the squad because of an injury. This injury ultimately led to him announcing his retirement from international rugby, after gaining 48 caps. He returned to the squad in late 2008, playing against Scotland A and taking part in the 2009 European Nations Cup, where he scored a game-saving try against Portugal on 14 February 2009.[citation needed]

Malkhaz Urjukashvili – Moved to France, where he has been playing. He is one of the best players and scorers for Georgia, holding currently 65 caps for his National Team, with 18 tries and 300 points. His first match was a 29–15 win over Croatia, in Tbilisi, at 12 October 1997, aged only 17 years old. This made him one of the youngest players ever to be capped at international rugby level. He was present at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, playing three matches and scoring 9 points. In the game against England, he kicked a long range penalty that registered as Georgia's first Rugby World Cup points (England eventually won the game 84–6). He was called once again for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, playing in all the four matches and scoring one conversion. He continued to be a valuable player in the 2011 Rugby World Cup qualification, the third Georgia gained in a row.[citation needed]

### Award winners

[edit]

The following Georgia players have been recognised at the World Rugby Awards since 2001:[14]

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year Year  | Nominees  | Winners

|
|

2015  | Vasil Lobzhanidze | —

## Coaches

[edit]

### Current coaching staff

[edit]

The current coaching staff of the Georgian national team:[15]

Name  | Nationality  | Role

|
|

Vasil Abashidze |  GEO | Manager
Lekso Iordanishvili |  GEO | Manager
Richard Cockerill |  ENG | Head coach
Conor McPhillips |  IRE | Attack coach
Julian Salvi |  AUS | Defence coach
Shaun Sowerby |  RSA | Lineout/Defence coach
Dan Baugh |  CAN | Strength & conditioning coach
Davit Nemsadze |  GEO | Strength & conditioning coach
Dr. Nutsa Shamatava |  GEO | Team doctor
Abesalom Abramishvili |  GEO | Physiotherapist
Edward Barry |  ENG | Physiotherapist
William Lavis |  ENG | Rehabilitation specialist
Nika Pinaishvili |  GEO | GPS-analyst
Davit Ramishvili |  GEO | Video-analyst

## Player records

[edit]

### Most caps

[edit]

#  | Player  | Pos  | Span  | Mat  | Start  | Sub  | Won  | Lost  | Draw  | %

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Davit Kacharava | Centre | 2006–2020 | 122 | 104 | 18 | 79 | 40 | 3 | 65.98
2 | Alexander Todua | Wing | 2008– | 119 | 106 | 13 | 76 | 40 | 3 | 61.82
3 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Fullback | 2003–2018 | 115 | 94 | 21 | 72 | 40 | 3 | 63.91
4 | Shalva Mamukashvili | Hooker | 2011–2023 | 103 | 64 | 39 | 65 | 35 | 3 | 64.45
Merab Sharikadze | Centre | 2012–2024 | 103 | 101 | 2 | 65 | 33 | 5 | 62.82
6 | Giorgi Chkhaidze | Flanker | 2002–2017 | 100 | 78 | 22 | 65 | 32 | 3 | 66.50
Lasha Malaghuradze | Fly-half | 2008–2023 | 100 | 52 | 48 | 68 | 30 | 2 | 68.68
8 | Lasha Khmaladze | Centre | 2008–2023 | 97 | 73 | 24 | 63 | 30 | 3 | 66.66
9 | Giorgi Nemsadze | Lock | 2005–2019 | 95 | 71 | 24 | 62 | 32 | 1 | 65.78
10 | Vasil Lobzhanidze | Scrum-half | 2015- | 93 | 78 | 15 | 58 | 32 | 3 | 68.68

Last updated: Georgia vs Spain, 16 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[16]

### Most tries

[edit]

#  | Player  | Pos  | Span  | Mat  | Start  | Sub  | Pts  | Tries

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Aka Tabutsadze | Wing | 2020– | 51 | 51 | 0 | 250 | 50
2 | Mamuka Gorgodze | Lock | 2003–2019 | 75 | 69 | 6 | 135 | 27
3 | Davit Kacharava | Centre | 2006–2020 | 122 | 104 | 18 | 125 | 25
4 | Irakli Machkhaneli | Wing | 2002–2014 | 73 | 68 | 5 | 115 | 23
Tedo Zibzibadze | Centre | 2000–2014 | 77 | 65 | 12 | 115 | 23
6 | Alexander Todua | Wing | 2008– | 119 | 106 | 13 | 100 | 20
7 | Vasil Lobzhanidze | Scrum-half | 2015- | 93 | 78 | 15 | 98 | 19
Merab Sharikadze | Centre | 2012–2024 | 103 | 101 | 2 | 95 | 19
9 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Fullback | 2003–2018 | 115 | 94 | 21 | 840 | 17
Malkhaz Urjukashvili | Wing | 1997–2011 | 70 | 66 | 4 | 320 | 17

Last updated: Georgia vs Spain, 16 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[17]

### Most points

[edit]

#  | Player  | Pos  | Span  | Mat  | Pts  | Tries  | Conv  | Pens  | Drop

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Fullback | 2003–2018 | 115 | 840 | 17 | 148 | 150 | 3
2 | Tedo Abzhandadze | Fly-half | 2018– | 54 | 334 | 6 | 77 | 50 | 0
3 | Pavle Jimsheladze | Fly-half | 1995–2007 | 57 | 320 | 9 | 61 | 48 | 3
Malkhaz Urjukashvili | Wing | 1997–2011 | 70 | 320 | 17 | 47 | 46 | 1
5 | Aka Tabutsadze | Wing | 2020– | 51 | 250 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0
6 | Lasha Malaghuradze | Fly-half | 2008–2023 | 100 | 190 | 6 | 38 | 25 | 3
Luka Matkava | Fly-half | 2022– | 27 | 190 | 3 | 56 | 21 | 0
8 | Soso Matiashvili | Full-back | 2017–2021 | 32 | 159 | 8 | 25 | 23 | 0
9 | Mamuka Gorgodze | Lock | 2003–2019 | 75 | 135 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0
10 | Davit Kacharava | Centre | 2006–2020 | 122 | 125 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0

Last updated: Georgia vs Spain, 16 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[18]

### Most matches as captain

[edit]

#  | Player  | Pos  | Span  | Mat  | Won  | Lost  | Draw  | %  | Pts  | Tries

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Merab Sharikadze | Centre | 2014–2024 | 52 | 32 | 17 | 3 | 57.14 | 50 | 10
2 | Irakli Abuseridze | Scrum-half | 2007–2012 | 36 | 25 | 10 | 1 | 70.83 | 15 | 3
3 | Ilia Zedginidze | Lock | 2002–2011 | 35 | 19 | 14 | 2 | 57.14 | 30 | 6
4 | Irakli Machkhaneli | Wing | 2013–2014 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 75.00 | 10 | 2
Shalva Sutiashvili | Flanker | 2014–2016 | 14 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 96.42 | 5 | 1
6 | Mamuka Gorgodze | Flanker | 2013–2017 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 38.46 | 10 | 2
7 | Zurab Mtchedlishvili | Lock | 1997–2007 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 58.33 | 10 | 2
Levan Tsabadze | Prop | 2001–2002 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 79.16 | 15 | 3
9 | Giorgi Nemsadze | Lock | 2018–2019 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 81.81 | 0 | 0
Dimitri Oboladze | Flanker | 1993–1998 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 59.09 | 5 | 1

Last updated: Georgia vs Spain, 16 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[19]

### Most points in a match

[edit]

#  | Player  | Pos  | Pts  | Tries  | Conv  | Pens  | Drop  | Opposition  | Venue  | Date

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Soso Matiashvili | Full Back | 34 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 |  Canada |  Tbilisi | 2017-10-11
2 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Full Back | 32 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 0 |  Germany |  Tbilisi | 2010-02-06
3 | Luka Matkava | Fly-half | 25 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 |  Germany |  Tbilisi | 2023-02-05
4 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Full Back | 24 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 |  Portugal |  Lisbon | 2014-02-08
5 | Paliko Jimsheladze | Fly-half | 23 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |  Russia |  Krasnodar | 2003-03-09
Merab Kvirikashvili | Fly-half | 23 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 |  Czech Republic |  Tbilisi | 2007-04-07
7 | Merab Kvirikashvili | Fly-half | 22 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 |  Japan |  Tbilisi | 2012-11-17
8 | Luka Matkava | Fly-half | 21 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 |  Switzerland |  Tbilisi | 2025-02-01
9 | Malkhaz Urjukashvili | Fly-half | 20 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 0 |  Czech Republic |  Kutaisi | 2005-06-12
Lasha Malaghuradze | Fly-half | 20 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 |  Spain |  Madrid | 2009-02-28
Aka Tabutsadze | Wing | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Belgium |  Kutaisi | 2020-02-22
Tedo Abzhandadze | Fly-half | 20 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |  Italy |  Batumi | 2022-07-10

Last updated: Georgia vs Spain, 16 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[20]

### Most tries in a match

[edit]

#  | Player  | Pos  | Pts  | Tries  | Conv  | Pens  | Drop  | Opposition  | Venue  | Date

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1 | Aka Tabutsadze | Wing | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Belgium |  Kutaisi | 2020-02-22
2 | Paliko Jimsheladze | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Bulgaria |  Sofia | 1995-03-23
Archil Kavtarahvili | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Bulgaria |  Sofia | 1995-03-23
Mamuka Gorgodze | Number 8 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Czech Republic |  Kutaisi | 2005-06-12
David Dadunashvili | Hooker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Czech Republic |  Tbilisi | 2007-04-07
Malkhaz Urjukashvili | Centre | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Czech Republic |  Tbilisi | 2007-04-07
Mamuka Gorgodze | Number 8 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Spain |  Tbilisi | 2008-04-26
Zurab Zhvania | Hooker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Germany |  Heusenstamm | 2015-02-07
Giorgi Kveseladze | Centre | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Germany |  Offenbach | 2018-02-17
Davit Niniashvili | Fullback | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Netherlands |  Telavi | 2021-06-26
Otar Giorgadze | Flanker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Netherlands |  Amsterdam | 2022-02-12
Beka Gorgadze | Flanker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Uruguay |  Tbilisi | 2022-11-06
Aka Tabutsadze | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Germany |  Tbilisi | 2023-02-05
Giorgi Tsutskiridze | Flanker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Germany |  Tbilisi | 2023-02-05
Aka Tabutsadze | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Romania |  Tbilisi | 2024-03-02
Davit Niniashvili | Fullback | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Spain |  Madrid | 2025-02-16
Vano Karkadze | Hooker | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Spain |  Tbilisi | 2024-03-16
Aka Tabutsadze | Wing | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |  Spain |  Tbilisi | 2024-03-16

Last updated: Georgia vs Spain, 16 March 2025. Statistics include officially capped matches only.[21]

## Coaches

[edit]

Years  | Coach

|

1989–1990 |  David Kilasonia
1991–1993 |  Temur Bendiashvili
1994–1996 |  Guram Modebadze
1997 |  Ross Meurant
1997–2003 |  Claude Saurel
2004–2007 |  Malkhaz Cheishvili
2008–2009 |  Tim Lane
2010–2011 |  Richie Dixon
2012–2019 |  Milton Haig
2020 |  Levan Maisashvili (Interim)
2021–2023 |  Levan Maisashvili
2024–present |  Richard Cockerill

## See also

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Georgia national rugby union team.

* Rugby union in Georgia
* Georgia women's national rugby union team
* Georgia U20
* Georgia U18
* Georgia XV
* Georgia 7s
* Georgia women's 7s
* Antim Cup
* Soviet Union national rugby union team
* List of Georgia national rugby union players

## References

[edit]

1. ^ (Georgian: საქართველოს მორაგბეთა ეროვნული ნაკრები, sakartvelos moragbeta erovnuli nak’rebi)
2. ^ Lelos is from the still-popular ancient traditional Georgian folk-sport of Lelo burti, a sort of rugby played with a pumpkin-shaped ball). Nicknamed The Borjgalosnebi (The Men of the Borjgali i.e. the traditional Georgian seven-armed solar symbol)
3. ^ "Georgia v Russia". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
4. ^ "When Georgia's XV came of age". International Rugby Board. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 29 November 2006.
5. ^ worldrugby.org. "Georgia and Spain secure Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 9 February 2025.
6. ^ Bath, Richard (ed.) The Complete Book of Rugby (Seven Oaks Ltd, 1997 ISBN 1-86200-013-1) p67
7. ^ Louis, p39
8. ^ Kalatozishvili, Georgy (16 April 2014). "Khridoli and leloburti are nonmaterial monuments of Georgia". Vestnik Kavkaza. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
9. ^ a b "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
10. ^ "Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Test matches – Team records". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
11. ^ "მსოფლიოს ჩემპიონამდე 'ჩიტასთან'". 11 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
12. ^ "Georgian Rugby Union".
13. ^ Lopez, Julien (3 June 2011). "Gorgodze percute, tamponne, caramélise, retourne. En plus, il franchit". Le Rugbynistère (in French). Retrieved 10 February 2017.
14. ^ "Awards Roll of Honour – World Rugby". world.rugby. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
15. ^ Ujmajuridze, Alexandre (18 August 2021). "Georgia Rugby's Coaching Staff". rugby.ge. Georgian Rugby Union.
16. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most matches | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
17. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual tries | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
18. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual points | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
19. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most matches as a captain | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
20. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual points in a match | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
21. ^ "Rugby Union | Georgia | Most individual tries in a match | ESPN Scrum". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 3 October 2019.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Georgia national rugby union team.

* Official website
* Planetrugby news for Georgia
* Diplomacy the key for Georgia (from BBC News)

* v
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* Nyasaland (Malawi)
* Serbia and Montenegro
* Soviet Union
* West Germany
* Yugoslavia

* v
* t
* e

National sports teams of Georgia

Men|

* Baseball
* Basketball
* U-20
* U-18
* U-16
* Floorball
* U-19
* Football
* U-21
* U-19
* U-17
* Futsal
* Handball
* Ice hockey
* Rugby league
* Rugby union
* U-20
* U-18
* 7's
* Tennis
* Water polo
* Volleyball

Women|

* Basketball
* U-20
* U-18
* U-16
* Floorball
* U-19
* Football
* Tennis
* Volleyball

Mixed|

* Badminton

* Olympic
* Paralympics
* European Games

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pld]: Games played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[PF]: Points for
*[PA]: Points against
*[Pos]: Position