Georgia confirm World Cup training squad

Head coach Milton Haig has named a 41-man training squad for the final stage of Georgia’s preparation for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. In addition to local based players, Haig has selected players contracted to clubs in England, France and Russia.

A large section of the squad participated in the Tbilisi Cup earlier in the month. With a record of only one win from three, the Lelos finished in third place. Their win came against Uruguay, while they lost to both Emerging Ireland and Emerging Italy.

The most notable additions are Montpellier prop Mikheil Nariashvili; Toulon back row Mamuka Gorgodze; Clermont flanker Vito Kolelishvili; and goal-kicking fullback Merab Kvirikashvili, who is set to play in his fourth World Cup.

The Lelos will play matches against Newcastle Falcons on August 28; Canada on September 2; and Japan on September 5 as part of their World Cup warm-up program.

Georgia will play in Pool C, taking on Argentina, Namibia, New Zealand and Tonga. The match against Argentina will be the third time in as many World Cups that the teams meet.

FORWARDS
Karlen Asieshvili (Brive), Levan Chilachava (Toulon), Vasil Kakovin (Toulouse), Davit Kubriashvili (Stade Francais), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier), Anton Peikrishvili (Brive), Zurab Zhvania (Stade Francais), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont), Jaba Bregvadze (Kochebi), Simon Maisuradce (Valence d’Agen), Shalva Mamukashvili (Sale Sharks), Giorgi Chkhaidze (Lille), Vakhtang Maisuradze (Albi), Kote Mikautadze (Toulon), Giorgi Nemsadze (Tarbes), Dimitri Basilaia (Perpignan), Beka Bitsadze (Lokomotivi), Otar Giorgadze (Aia), Beka Gorgadze (Mont-de-Marsan), Mamuka Gorgodze (Toulon), Vito Kolelishvili (Clermont), Lasha Lomidze (Beziers), Shalva Sutiashvili (Massy), Saba Shubitidze (Akademia), Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Batumi)

BACKS
Giorgi Begadze (Kochebi), Vazha Khutsishvili (Kharebi), Vaso Lobzhanidze (Armazi), Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo), Lasha Malaghuradze (Bagneres), Davit Kacharava (Yenisey), Tamaz Mchedlidze (Agen), Giorgi Pruidze (Aia), Merab Sharikadze (Aurillac), Giorgi Talakhadze (Lelo), Muraz Giorgadze (Armazi), Irakli Svanidze (Jiqebi), Sandro Todua (Lelo), Giorgi Aptsiauri (Aia), Merab Kvirikashvili (Montlucon), Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomitivi)