GEORGIA v ROMANIA: WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A

Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilissi

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Preview
For those following Tier 2 nations this is the ‘final’ of the European Nations Cup and the Rugby World Cup European qualifiers. The winner takes all, including the Antim Cup, played between these two nations.

Georgia and Romania have both display a class of rugby above the others in this competition. It was interesting to read that the President of Georgia, who will be at this match, has indicated that both Romania and Georgia need to look elsewhere for their competitive opposition. Interesting indeed!

Last Five Encounters
16.03.2013 Drawn 9-9 in Bucharest (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
10.03.2012 Georgia 19-13 in Bucharest (ENC 1A)
28.09.2011 Georgia 25-9 in Palmerston North (World Cup, Pool B)
12.02.2011 Georgia 18-11 in Tiblissi (ENC 1A)
13.03.2010 Romania 22-10 in Bucharest (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1)
Romania last won in Tblissi in 2003.

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Georgia 11th, Romania 16th
Europe Table: Georgia 7th, Romania 8th

IRB Ranking Points
Georgia 69.88, Romania 68.66

Prediction: Georgia by 7 points

Teams

Georgia

15		Merab Kvirikashvili	CS Vienne, France
14		Irakli Machkhaneli	RC Armazi, France
13		David Kacharava	Enisey-STM Krasnoyarsk, Russia
12		Merab Shairikadze	US Bourg-en-Bresse, France
11		Tamaz Mchedlidze	US Bressane, France
10		Lasha Khmaladze	Lelo
9		Giorgi Begadze	Batumi
8		Dimitri Basilaia	Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland
7		Mamuka Gorgodze	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
6		Viktor Kolelishvili	Lyon Olympique Universitaire, France
5		Levan Datunashvili	Stade Aurillacois, France
4		Konstantin Mikautadze	RC Toulon, France
3		Davit Zirakashvili	ASM Clermont Auvergne, France
2		Jaba Bregvadze	Stade Toulousain, France
1		Mikheil Nariashvili	Montpellier Hérault Rugby, France
16		Shalva Mamukashvili	Armia
17		Anton Peikrishvili	Castres Olympique, France
18		Levan Chilachava	RC Toulon, France
19		Giorgi Nemsadze	Tarbes, France
20		Giorgi Chkhaidze	Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby, France
21		Vazha Khutsishvili	Kharebi
22		Tedo Zibzibadze	CA Périgueux, France
23		Lasha Malaguradze	Stade Bagnérais, France
		HEAD COACH: Milton Haig

Romania

15		Catalin Fercu	RCM Timisoara
14		Madalin Lemnaru	RCM Timisoara
13		Csaba Gal	CSM Baia Mare
12		Robert Dascalu	Steaua Bucuresti
11		Ionut Dumitru	Steaua Bucuresti
10		Florin Vlaicu	RCJ Farul Constanta
9		Valentin Calafeteanu	RCM Timisoara
8		Stelian Burcea	RCM Timisoara
7		Mihai Macovei (Capt.)	Sporting Nazairien, France
6		Viorel Lucaci	Steaua Bucharesti
5		Valentin Poparlan	RCM Timisoara
4		Marius Sirbe	Tarbes Pyrénées Rugby, France
3		Paulica Ion	USA  Perpignan, France
2		Andrei Radoi	Ealing RFC, England
1		Mihaita Lazar	Castres Olympique, France
16		Eugen Capatana	RCM Timisoara
17		Andrei Ursache	US Carcassonne, France
18		Horatiu Pungea	Llanelly Scarlets, Wales
19		Cristian Munteanu	U S Romans et Peageoise, France
20		Vlad Nistor	Castres Olympique, France
21		Dorin Manole	US Orthez, France
22		Florin Surugiu	CSM Bucaresti
23		Cristian Dinis-Vartic	CSM Baia Mare
		HEAD COACH: Lyn Howells