INTERNATIONAL RUGBY: Portugal Faces Georgia

13.02.2010
Georgia v Portugal in Lisbon (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)

Referee: A.Small (England)

Venue: Lisbon University Stadium

Preview
Georgia crushed Germany last weekend 77-3 in a grand display of forward power. Last weekend Russia defeated Portugal 14-10 in a scrappy game. Portugal did not play well and Russia did not make the most of their opportunities. This week Georgia will travel to Lisbon to face a Portuguese team that must win to keep close to the leaders.

The Portuguese team has been training in France this week. Their flight from Nice to Lisbon Thursday had to be postponed due to the poor weather in Europe this week. The team arrived on Friday.

In the first round Georgia struggles against the Portuguese in Tblissi drawing the game 20-20. Georgia has a very strong team travelling to Lisbon and after their big win over Germany they will be out to secure their place at the top of the ENC 1 table.

Georgia struggles to a 20-20 draw against Portugal last year. Image thanks to http://rugby-pt-lobos.blogspot.com

Last Five Encounters
14.02.2009 Drawn 20-20 in Tblissi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
23.02.2008 Georgia 11-6 in Lisbon (ENC 1)
02.02.2008 Georgia 31-3 in Tblissi (ENC 1)
25.11.2006 Drawn 11-11 in Lisbon (WCQ Europe R5, Playoff 2nd leg)
11.11.2006 Georgia 17-3 in Tblissi (WCQ Europe R5, Playoff 1st leg)

Data from www.rugbyinternational.net

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Georgia 17th, Portugal 20th
Europe Table- Georgia 7th, Portugal 9th

Prediction: Georgia is a much stronger unit from last season and will win by 11 points.

Teams

Portugal Squad
Eduardo Acosta (GD Direito)
António Aguilar (GD Direito)
Pedro Cabral (CD University Lisboa)
Lionel Campergue (Pau, France)
João Correia, Capt. (GD Direito)
Francisco Fernandes (Tyrosse)
Gonçalo Foro (CD University Lisboa)
Joe Gardener (Agronomia)
João Júnior (CD University Lisboa)
Diogo Mateus (OS Belenenses)
Pedro Leal (GD Direito)
Frederico Oliveira (CD University Lisboa)
David Mateus (OS Belenenses)
Juan Murre (Auch, France)
Salvador Palha (GD Direito)
David Penalva (Auch, France)
José Pinto (GD Direito)
Juan Severino (Agronomia)
Pedro Silva (OS Belenenses)
Conrad Stickling (Cascais, France)
Gonçalo Uva (GD Direito)
Vasco Uva (GD Direito)
Head Coach: Tomaz Morais

Adapted from http://www.fpr.pt/noticias/noticia.asp?opm=25&id=7862&id2=25

In
David Mateus BELENENSES
Eduardo Acosta GD DIREITO
Lionel Campergue PAU (FRA)

Out
Cardoso Pinto (Agronomia)
Tiago Girão (CD University Lisboa)
Thomas da Costa (Lourdes, France)

Georgia
15 Merab Kvirikashvili (Figeac, France)
14 Malkhaz Urjukashvili (Figeac, France)
13 Davit Katcharava (Nice Cote d'Azur, France)
12 Tedo Zibzibadze (Perigueux, France)
11 Irakli Machkhaneli (Saint-Etienne, France)
10 Lasha Malaghuradze (Béziers, France)
9 Irakli Abuseridze, Capt. (Auxerre, France)
8 Besarion Udesiani (Saint-Etienne, France)
7 Giorgi Chkhaidze (Montpellier, France)
6 Grigol Labadze (Marseille-Vitrolles, France)
5 Ilia Zedginidze (Carqueiranne Hyeres, France)
4 Giorgi Nemsadze (Massy, France)
3 Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont Auvergne, France)
2 Akvsent Giorgadze (Castres, France)
1 Davit Khinchagishvili (Brive, France)
Replacements
16 Anton Peikrishvili (Agen, France)
17 Davit Kubriashvili (Toulon, France)
18 Levan Datunashvili (Aurillac, France)
19 Lasha Tavartkiladze (Farul Constanta, Romania)
20 Bidzina Samkharadze (Farul Constanta, Romania)
21 Irakli Giorgadze (Champberry, France)
22 Alexandre Todua (Lelo)
Head Coach: Tim Lane

Adapted from, and thanks to http://www.heavensgame.com/fira-aer/2010-european-nations-cup-portugal-v-georgia

I recommend you visit Jeremy's site http://www.heavensgame.com/. Jeremy is dedicated to rugby around the world, being particularly interested in the development of the game away from the 'mainstream' nations. He also covers the cross nation competitions, especially in Europe.