Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Georgia publicly challenge Wales to match after wooden spoon

Georgia Rugby squad celebrates with the winner trophy after winning Portugal during Rugby Europe Championship match between Georgia and Portugal at Stade Jean Bouin on March 17, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Just days after winning the Rugby Europe Championship in Paris, Georgia have challenged Wales to a match in Tbilisi this autumn.

ADVERTISEMENT

Georgia’s 36-10 victory over Portugal in the final at the Stade Jean Bouin came just over 24 hours after Wales slumped to their first wooden spoon in the Guinness Six Nations since 2003 with their fifth loss on the bounce in the tournament against Italy in Cardiff.

In the aftermath of the two results, Georgia have publicly challenged Wales to a match on social media, quoting former Wales captain Sam Warburton in saying it is the match “rugby lovers everywhere want to see”.

Video Spacer

Former Boks select their Six Nations Team of the Tournament | RPTV

The Boks Office crew go through the players they think would make a team of the tournament. Watch the full episode exclusively at RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

Former Boks select their Six Nations Team of the Tournament | RPTV

The Boks Office crew go through the players they think would make a team of the tournament. Watch the full episode exclusively at RugbyPass TV

Watch now

The initial challenge is for Wales to play in the Georgian capital, with a potential return game in Cardiff.

Just to stir the pot even further, Georgia included a video of the team celebrating at the Principality Stadium following their 13-12 victory over Wales in 2022 (although Wales have since beaten them at the World Cup last year).

They wrote on X: “Following widespread debate across the rugby world after the conclusion of the Six Nations and the Rugby Europe Championships, Georgia Rugby is inviting Wales to play an autumn international test-match.

“There is a wonderful bond between the players and supporters of our two proud rugby nations and we have had some great competitive matches. It’s our honour to invite Wales to Tbilisi – and to play a return game in Cardiff whenever is convenient.

ADVERTISEMENT

“As Sam Warburton said, it’s what rugby lovers everywhere want to see!

“So, let’s make it happen. In Georgia, we like to say that ‘A guest is a gift’. We can think of no better gift than to host the Welsh in Tbilisi this autumn.”

Following the victory over Portugal, where the Lelos avenged their 18-18 draw in the World Cup, new head coach Richard Cockerill said his side are “probably too good” for the Rugby Europe Championship.

Speaking to RugbyPass after the victory, Cockerill, who was named head coach in January, also questioned whether his side can step up to the Six Nations. A challenge like this to Wales is the best way to determine where they are currently.

“There was a real edge because Portugal were a team that were definitely good enough to beat us and probably should have beaten us in the World Cup,” the former England assistant coach said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“With respect to all the other teams we are probably too good for this tournament and at the moment maybe we’re not quite good enough to be dining at the same table as the Super Rugby teams or the (UR) Championship teams or the Six Nations.

“There’s a real balance there where we just need to try, the politicians above me will decide where is best for us to play moving forward at some point. The thing we have got to do is just keep improving and playing a good brand of rugby and being as successful as we can.”

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

2 Comments
M
MattJH 274 days ago

Would love to see this!! But it won’t happen because Wales are probably too chicken.

J
John 274 days ago

A game that nobody outside Georgia wants to see in reality. The last meeting was in October in the World Cup. Wales 43 Georgia 19. It wasn’t even close.
As for scheduling, there is no way that Wales would give up a home Autumn international to go to Georgia. The better offer would be for Wales to travel there in June on their way to their summer tour in 2025.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes
Search