Georgian national rugby team which is preparing for World Cup (held in September-October), will hold the first test match today. Richard Dixon, head coach of “The Lelos”, chose the experimental staff for the match against “Aurillac” but Lasha Malaguradze will not be able to play because of injury.
32 rugby players chosen by Scottish specialist held meeting in Tbilisi on July 4. On July 18, they left for France and stayed in Mandelieu near Cannes. The team was preparing physically for about 4 weeks. Then, technical and tactical components replaced it and time of friendly match has come. Georgian national rugby team left for Isuar on August 6 where the team will hold matches against Pro D2 teams on August 13 and 19.
The tournament known as “Shalanj Issoire” will be held for the seventh time. “Clermont”, former champion of France, and English “Scarlett” will also participate in the tournament but unfortunately, Georgian rugby players will not play against them. On August 13, at 21:00 Tbilisi time, “Aurillac” of Levan Datunashvili, Karlen Aseishvili and Giorgi Natsarashvili will be the opponent of “The Lelos”. Ticket price is 10 EUR.
It is worth mentioning that organizers of “Shalanj Isuar” are proud that Georgia is their guest. Datunashvili will play for the national team today. Aseishvili and Natsarashvili will play for “Aurillac”.
On August 19, “Burguen” will be opponent of “The Lelos”. Then, Georgians will return to Mandelieu. According to the regulations, on August 22, Dixon will name those 30 rugby players who will play in the name of Georgia in New Zealand. Georgian team will leave for New Zealand on September 4 and will arrive there on September 5. World Cup will start on September 9. Georgians will hold the first match against Scotland on September 14.
“World Sport” contacted Vasil Abashidze, manager of the national team, and talked about the preparation of Georgians.
-  How are you preparing for World Cup and for tomorrow's match?
-  Everything is OK, guys are also in good physical condition. Almost every day they train three times a day, very rare twice a day. Today they trained only once and they are preparing for tomorrow.
-  Physical preparation has already finished. Which component is being paid attention now?
-  Two weeks after returning from France, 70 % of trainings are for working on rugby elements,
-  Was physical preparation difficult for guys?
- No one is tired, some of them have micro-traumas but nothing dangerous.
-  Tedo Zibzibadze and Lasha Malaghuidze have joined National Team late. Did they have any difficulties while improving physical conditions?
-  Their clubs were competing in Federal-1 and finished season late, thats why they joined the team late. Coaches let them have a rest, but in spite of this they had additional trainings and now they are in good physical condition.. Malaghuridze and Zibzibadze have micro-traumas. Malaghuridze has to play as center tomorrow, but he inkured during the training today and coaches do not take a risk and he will not play tomorrow. Davit Kacharava will play instead of him. There is one vacant place in substutions and who will take it will be known before the match.
-  Before Leaving for France Urjukashvili was injured and he was having individual training.
-  Now he feels good and he is preparing with the team. For tomorrow's match he is in substitutions and will play in any case.
-  Dixon has chosen such staff, it is look like experimental.
-  Yes, it is true. Coaches want to check everyone and thats why they called up the following players. On August 19 others will be in the main staff.
- Will Georgian National Team hold another sparring match?
- No, it will not. Next week is planned joined training with "Clermont".
- Where did you have better training conditions in Mandelieu or in Issoire?
-  There are ideal conditions for training in both places. Stadium as well as training hall serve us for 24 hours here and there.  
-  Coaches are planning to attend World Cup match of our rivals. Which match are they planning to attend?
-  Next week they are planning to attend match of Scotland.
 In a word, preparation is in final stage. The main staff of Georgia is the following for tomorrow's match:
15. Revaz Gigauri 14. Irakli Chkhikvadze13. Aleksandre Todua 12. Davit Kacharava 11. Lekso Gugava 10. Lasha Khmaladze 9. Bizina Samkharadze 1. Vasil Kakovini 2. Akvsenti Giorgadze 3. Davit Kubriashvili 4. Levan Datunashvili 5. Giorgi Nemsadze 6. Viktor Kolelishvili 7. Giorgi Chkhaidze 8. Zviad Maisuradze.
Substitutions: 16. Goderzi Shvelidze, 17. Davit Zirakishvili, 18. Vakhtang Maisuardze, 19. Givi Berishvili, 20. Giorgi Begadze, 21. (vacant), 22. Malkhaz Urjukashvili.
None called up players: Davit Khinchagashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Dimitri Basilaia, Mamuka Gorgodze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Ilia Zedgenidze, Irakli Abuseridze, Lasha Malaghuridze, Merab Kvirikashvili, Irakli Manchkhashvili, Tedo Zibzibadze.

Zura Ksovreli