On March 19, Georgian national rugby union team will hold the last match of “Nations Cup” against Russian team. The match will start at 16:00 in Sochi.

These teams have held 14 matches against each other. “The Lelos” has obvious advantage. Russian “Bears” won only one match. It happened in 1993. Since then, 12 matches ended up with victory of Georgian team. One matches finished draw. The match held 18 years ago was World Cup qualifying match. This match took place in the city of Poland, Gdansk and Russians won 15:9. The next match was held in Tbilisi in 1996. “The Lelos” won 29:20 and after two years, Georgians beat Russians 12:6 at World Cup qualifying stage in Tbilisi.

In 2001, Russian hosted Georgians in Krasnodar and “The Lelos” won 25:23. Next year, the match ended up draw (12:12) in Tbilisi. It happened on March 3. In October, Georgians beat their opponent 17:13 in Tbilisi. In 2003, the match was held in Krasnodar and Georgian team won 23:17. In March 2004, Georgians won 9:3 in Tbilisi and 27:15 in Krasnodar. In 2006, “The Lelos” beat “Bears” 46:19. Next year, the hosts won 31:12 in Tbilisi. In 2008, Russians hosted Georgians in Krasnoyarsk and “The Lelos” won again – 18:12. In August 2008, Russia occupied part of Georgia and European Rugby Council decided to hold match on a neutral field. Russians appointed the match in the city of Ukraine, Mariupol, which is Russian city. “The Lelos” won 29:21. Last year, Georgians hosted Russians in Trabzon and beat their opponent 36:8. Georgian team can continue this successful series. After losing against Namibian in Bucharest last year, Georgian national rugby union team won 6 matches in a row. In case of beating Russian team, “The Lelos”, winner of “Nations Cup”, will win the match in the unofficial name of “Grand Slam” (winning all matches).

Georgian team left for Sochi on Friday. French referees will judge the match. Patrick Peshonber will be referee and Aken Aj-Bashir and Jean-Mar Piravo will be his assistants. Unfortunately, this match cannot be broadcast and Georgian fans have to be satisfied with radioreport.

European “Nations Cup” 2011-2012. V round

March 19. Sochi

Russia– Georgia (16:00)

Russia: 15. Igor Kluchnikov, 14. Vasily Artemiev, 13. Mikhail Babaev, 12. Igor Galinovsky, 11. Vladimir Ostroushko, 10. Konstantin Rachkov, 9. Alexander Shakirov, 8. Viacheslav Grachov, 7. Andrey Ostrikov, 6. Artem Fatakhov, 5. Andrey Garbuzov, 4. Alexander Voitov, 3.Ivan Prishchepenko, 2 Vladislav Korshunov (cap), 1. Sergey Popov.

Reserves: 22. Victor Gresev, 21. Yuri  Kushnarov, 20. Alexander Ianushkin, 19. Andrey Temnov, 18. Evgeny Matveev, 17. Alexey Travkin, 16. Alexander Khrokin.

Head coach: Nikolay Nerush

Georgia: 15. Besik Khamashuridze (“Aia”, Kutaisi, 57 caps, 70 points), 14. Irakli Machkhaneli (“Macon”, France, 47, 85), 13. Davit Kacharava (“Nice”, France, 42, 55), 12. Tedo Zibzibadze (“Perigueux”, France, 55, 75), 11. Lekso Gugava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi, 19, 20), Merab Kvirikashvili (“Figeac”, France, 51, 253), 9. Irakli Abuseridze (“Auxerre”, France, 71, 35), 1. Davit Khinchagishvili (“Brive”, France, 34, 15), 2. Jaba Bregvadze (“Army”, Gori, 11, 0), 3. Davit Zirakashvili (“Clermont”, France, 27, 35), 4. Levan Datunashvili (“Figeac”, France, 41, 10), 5. Vakhtang Maisuradze (“Saint Nazaire”, France, 4, 0), 6. Giorgi Chkhaidze (“Montpellier”, France, 47, 30), 7. Shalva Sutiashvili (“Massy”, France, 19, 5), 8. Mamuka Gorgodze (“Montpellier”, France, 36, 90).

Reserves: 16. Irakli Natriashvili (“Steaua”, Romania, 32, 20), 17. Vasil Kakovin (“Brive”, France, 11, 0), 18. Giorgi Nemsadze (“Montauban”, France, 18, 25), 19. Vito Kolelishvili (“Clermont”, France, 6, 5),  20. Bidzina Samkharadze (“Steaua”, Romania, 54, 25), 21. Beka Urjukashvili (“Figeac”, France, 3, 10), 22. Lasha Malaguradze (“Beziers”, France, 30, 100).

Head coach: Richard Dixon (Scotland)

Romania– Spain

Portugal- Ukraine

Ukraine - Romania (postponed)

Zura Ksovreli