Georgian national rugby team continues the preparation stage for World Cup 2011. Our rugby players are holding meeting in the city of France, Cannes. The coaching staff chose 32 rugby players. Two of them will not be able to play at World Cup. Names of these two sportsmen will be known on August 21. Two friendly matches are planned to be held. Georgia will hold them in Issuar on August 13 and 19. On September 5, the team will leave for New Zealand. Our national team left for France on July 17. Here is an interview with one of the managers of the national team Otar Iashvili.

- How is the preparation process of the national team going on?

- Everything is going on well. We will stay in Cannes till August 6. Then, we will move to Issuar to hold two sparring matches.

- Who will be your opponents?

- Teams of Elite-2 - “Oriac” and “Burvelin”, on August 13 and 19.

- Does the team continue training process in Issuar?

- No, we will return to Cannes on August 21. The team will rest for 8 days. Training process will be resumed from August 29 till September 3. On September 5, we will leave for New Zealand.

- What kind of trainings will be held?

- The team is orientated on physical training. Fortunately, everyone is healthy.

- Are those 2 rugby players known who will stay in Georgia?

- This issue will be found out on August 21 when the team will return to Cannes.

- Why were some experienced rugby players (Labadze, Khamashuridze) left beyond the staff?

- Perhaps, because of their age. Head coach made choice on young players.

- What does the team expect at this World Cup?

- It is better if you ask this question to the head coach.

- What mood is in the team?

- Good. The team has all good conditions – started with food and ended with fields and gyms.

- This World Cup is the third for our team. Has the time for a great sensation come?

- It would have been good if we had won two matches. We all want to make Georgia happy. The boys are experienced. The team is prepared psychologically.

Aleksandre Paikidze