This evening, fifteen Georgian rugby players will play against British Army rugby team at Kingsholm Stadium.

Georgian A team had to play in England. The team was formed 2 years ago and beat Polish and Ukrainian teams. Last year, Georgians held meeting in South Africa. Levan Maisashvili had to take his players to England but he could not manage to gather desired players. The team was renamed “Future Georgia” (Emergin Lelos) and will compete in Britain with this name. This method is approved in strong rugby countries and now Georgia joined them. Though, Maisashvili took some such players to England who played for the national team and they have chance to show themselves once again.

Kingsholm Stadium where the match between “Future Georgia” and English army will be held is a real rugby Mecca. It was built in 1891 and contains 16 500 spectators. English “Gloucester” holds home matches there. Two international matches were held at this stadium. First one was held in 1900 when England hosted Wales and beat it 13:3. The second one was held in 1991. It was the match of World Cup and New Zealand beat USA 46:6.

Fijian and Tongan legionaries play for British Army team. Today’s opponent of Georgia is a serious team and they are looking forward to this match. They have not held international match for 6 months. Especially, the fact that the team which will play at World Cup is their opponent makes them happy. Besides that, Georgia is in the best place at IRB ranking. Andy Sanger, head coach of British Army, gathered the strongest sportsmen for this match.

“I hope that the stadium will be crowded. Our opponent is very strong and we are looking forward to this match. Georgia is accepted in world rugby and is ahead of Tonga, USA and Canada. Unfortunately, some of our rugby players serve in Afghanistan. We will try to gather the strongest staff against Georgians” – stated Sanger.

“Future Georgia” left for England on March 19 and stayed at Heartpool college base which is situated at Cheltenham city. Vito Kolelishvili, Irakli Chkhikvadze and Jaba Bregvadze will join the team later. The match will start at 19:45 local time and ticket price is 3-10 GBP. After the match, Georgian rugby players will continue training and they will play against Oxford university team on March 28.

Georgia XV: Gela Shalamberidze (“Aia”, Kutaisi), Lasha Azaladze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Lasha Tavartkiladze (“Farul”, Romania), Zviad Maisuradze (“Lokomotive”, Tbilisi), Giorgi Kacharava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Irakli Gvinjilia (“Lokomotive”, Tbilisi), Giorgi Jimsheladze (“Clermont”, France), Giorgi Shkinini (“Hooligan”, Tbilisi), Karlen Aseishvili (“Orthez”, France), Jaba Bregvadze (“Army”, Gori), Rezo Belkania (“Lasein”, France), Giorgi Menabdishvili (“Grenoble”, France), Vito Kolelishvili (“Clermont”, France), Lasha Khmaladze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Revaz Gigauri (“Figeac”, France), Irakli Chkhikvadze (“Aia”, Kutaisi), Elizbar Kuparadze (“Montluçon”, France), Giorgi Mchedlishvili (“Beziers”, France), Bachuki Gujaraidze (“Lokomotive”, Tbilisi), Sandro Nijaradze (“Wissol-Kochebi”, Tbilisi), Goderdzi Joglidze (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Giga Korkelia (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Irakli Kiasashvili (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), Davit Daushvili (“Lelo”, Tbilisi).

Head coach: Levan Maisashvili

Coach: Nikoloz Chavchavadze

Manager: Davit Jalagonia

Doctors: Revaz Chumburidze, Shahin Aivazov

Video analyst: Davit Ramishvili

Zura Ksovreli