Before the start of World Cup, captains of eight teams gathered at Georgian sightseeing and took photos with Cup.

Photos which were taken on Narikala were published on official website of IRB. Journalists had chance to talk to captains. After that, the teams will hold closed meetings and expect press conferences, it will be impossible to talk to rugby players and coaches.

Georgian team will hold the first match against Canada. “World Sport” talked to Davit Losaberidze, captain of “The Lelos”, and Canadian captain Tyler Ardron.

“I am in the expended staff of the national team and I will try to do my best. We hope to win the tournament. We held meeting before leaving for Tbilisi. We watched match of Georgian and Canadian national teams and I think U-20 teams will play in the same style. We know advantages of Georgians and we hope to achieve success”, - stated Ardron.

Losaberidze who has been playing in France for 3 years mentioned that the main goal of the hosts is to win the tournament: “We have prepared well. Several days are left till the first match. We will try to beat Canada. We consider Samoa as the main opponent. Perhaps, the most difficult match in the group will be against Canada. Please, do not think that we do not consider other teams as main opponents. It is sad that Chkoidze and Koiava will not be able to play because injuries. The team has good rugby players and our main goal is to win Cup”.

The match of Georgian and Canadian teams will be held on “Avchala” stadium at 18:00 on May 24. Before this match, Samoa will play against USA and Russia – against Uruguay. Another match will be held at “Shevardeni” stadium and Japan will play against Zimbabwe. Attendance is free at “Shevardeni” and all matches (12) at “Avchala” cost 30 GEL.

Georgian team: Levan Chilachava (“Tulon”, France), Zurab Eristavi (“Aia”, Kutaisi), Zaza Navrozashvili (“Army”, Tbilisi), Zurab Jvania (“Aia”, Kutaisi), Irakli Chomakhashvili (“Armazi”, Tbilisi), Merab Matkava (“Aia”, Kutaisi), Khvicha Bujiashvili (“Lokomotive”, Tbilisi), Kote Mikautadze (“Tulon, France), Giorgi Jgenti (“Army”, Tbilisi), Beka Bitsadze (“Army”, Tbilisi), Giorgi Tkesheliadze (“Kochebi”, Tbilisi), Giga Tkhilaishvili (“Batmu”, Batumi), Levan Tkhelidze (“Aia”, Kutaisi), Jimi Gambashidze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Giorgi Misriashvili (“Armazi”, Tbilisi), Goderdzi Chincharauli (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Luka Kvaratskhelia (“Kochebi”, Tbilisi), Giga Gagoshvili (“Lokomotive”, Tbilisi), Davit Losaberidze (“Baion”, France), Giorgi Margiani (“Academy”, Tbilisi), Giorgi Abramidze (“Aia”, Kutaisi), Vano Gabroshvili (“Armazi”, Tbilisi), Levan Gagoshvili (“Academy”, Tbilisi), Zurab Dzneladze (“Aia”, Kutaisi), Bakhva Kobakhidze (“Army”, Tbilisi), Ucha Mchedlishvili (“Lelo”, Tbilisi).

Head coach: Paata Narimanashvili

Group A
Russia
Samoa
Uruguay
USA

May 24. Tuesday
Samoa – USA (Avchala, 14:00)

Russia – Uruguay (Avchala, 16:00)
May 28. Saturday
Samoa – Uruguay (Shevardeni, 14:00)

Russia – USA (Avchala, 16:00)
June 1. Wednesday

Uruguay – USA (Avchala, 14:00)

Samoa – Russia (Avchala, 16:00)
 

Group B
Canada

Georgia

Japan

Zimbabwe

May 24. Tuesday

Japan – Zimbabwe (Shevardeni, 14:00)

Georgia – Canada (Avchala, 18:10)
May 28. Saturday

Japan – Canada (Avchala, 14:00)

Georgia – Zimbabwe (Avchala, 18:00)
June 1. Wednesday

Canada – Zimbabwe (Shevardeni, 14:00)

Georgia – Japan (Avchala, 18:00)
 

June 5. Sunday. Finals
 

Zura Ksovreli