RUSSIA v GEORGIA: REC 1A

14.03.2015

Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi

Referee: Nigel Hennessy (Wales)

Preview
There are fewer more intense rivalries on the rugby field than a Russia-Georgia match up. New Zealand v South Africa and England v Wales to name just two. Russia is coming off a win against previously undefeated Romania whilst Georgia has been less than convincing in their last two outings.

Russia has gone for an experienced side for this important game. This is an ageing side where many will not play in the qualifying rounds for the next World Cup.

Georgia has been able to recall experienced players Mamuka Gorgodze, David Zirkashvili and Vakhtang Maisuradze. This is a very strong side.

The atmosphere in Tbilisi will be electric and so it will be at the ground. It should be a cracker.

Other Preview
http://www.rugbyeurope.eu/article-735.htm

Last Five Encounters
22.02.2014 Georgia 36-10 in Tbilisi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
23.02.2013 Georgia 23-9 in Sochi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
17.03.2012 Georgia 46-0 in Tbilisi (ENC 1A)
19.03.2011 Georgia 15-9 in Sochi (ENC 1A)
20.03.2010 Georgia 36-8 in Trabzon, Turkey (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)

Russia last defeated Georgia in 1993 when they won 15-9 in Gdansk, Poland, in a World Cup qualifying match. Russia has never won in Georgia.

Russia Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
28.02.2015 v Romania W 16-13 in Krasnodar (REC 1A)
14.02.2015 v Germany W 46-22 in Pforzheim (REC 1A)
07.02.2015 v Spain L 20-48 in Madrid (REC 1A)
15.11.2014 v Hong Kong W 39-27 in Hong Kong
08.11.2014 v Hong Kong W 31-10 in Hong Kong

Georgia Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
28.02.2015 v Spain W 26-13 in Madrid (REC 1A)
14.02.2015 v Portugal W 20-15 in Tbilisi (REC 1A)
07.02.2015 v Germany W 64-8 in Heusenstamm (REC 1A)
23.11.2014 v Japan W 35-24 in Tbilisi
16.11.2014 v Ireland L 7-49 in Dublin

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Georgia 15th, Russia 19th
Europe Table: Georgia 7th, Russia 8th

World Rugby Ranking Points
Georgia 71.19, Russia 64.73

Prediction: Georgia by 22 points.

TEAMS

Georgia

15- Merab Kvirikashvili (Montlucon Rugby, France)
14- Giorgi Aptsiauri (AIA RC)
13- Davit Kacharava (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk, Russia)
12- Merab Sharikadze (Stade Aurillacois, France)
11- Alexander Khutsishvili (Kochebi RC)
10- Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Saracens)
9- Vasil Lobjanidze (Armazi RC)
8- Beka Bitsadze (Locomotive RC)
7- Mamuka Gorgodze (RC Toulonnais, France)
6- Shalva Sutiashvili, (Capt.) (RC Massy, France)
5- Vakhtang Maisuradze (SC Albi, France)
4- Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby, France)
3- Davit Zirakashvili (ASM Clermont Auvergne, France)
2- Simon Maisuradze (Stade Bagnerais, France)
1-Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France)

Replacements
16- Zurab Zhvania (Stade Francais, France)
17- Karlen Asieshvili (CA Brive, France)
18- Levan Chilachava (RC Toulonnais, France)
19- Konstantin Mikautadze (RC Toulonnais, France)
20- Lasha Lomidze (AS Béziers Hérault, France)
21- Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi Rustavi)
22- Tamaz Mchedlidze (SU Agen, France)
23- Muraz Giorgadze (Armazi RC)

Head Coach: Milton Haig

Adapted from http://t2rugby.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=45&start=400

Russia

1-Sergey Novoselov (Enisey-STM)
2- Stanislav Selsky (Enisey-STM)
3- Innokenty Zykov (Enisey-STM)
4- Andrey Garbuzov (Krasny Yar)
5- Andrey Ostrikov (Sale Sharks, England)
6- Andrey Temnov (Enisey-STM, captain)
7- Pavel Butenko (Enisey-STM)
8- Viktor Gresev (Krasny Yar)
9- Alexey Shcherban (Enisey-STM)
10- Ramil Gaisin (Enisey-STM)
11- Igor Kurashov (Enisey-STM)
12- Vladimir Rudenko (Krasny Yar)
13- Dimitry Gerasimov (Enisey-STM)
14- Mikhail Babaev (VVA-Podmoskovye)
15- Vasily Artemyev (Krasny Yar)

Replacements
16- Vladislav Korshunov (VVA-Podmoskovye)
17 Sergey Sekisov (VVA-Podmoskovye_
18- Andrey Igretsov (Slava-CSP)
19- Artem Fatakhov (VVA-Podmoskovye)
20- Nicholas Serkov (Enisey-STM)
21- Rushan Yagudin (Krasny Yar)
22- Yuri Kushnarev (Enisey-STM)
23- Andrey Otrokov (Krasny Yar)

Head Coach: Raphael Saint-Andre

Adapted from http://www.rugby.ru/