Georgia confirm squad for Americas tour

Milton Haag has finalised his 33-man squad for Georgia’s historic three-match tour of the Americas. Left out after being part of the initial training group are Oyonnax prop Irakli Mirtskulava, uncapped Enisei STM loose forward Mikheil Gachechiladze, and strapping winger Giorgi Pruidze. The absence of Pruidze means that imposing Agen midfielder Tamaz Mchedlidze will be employed as a wing by Haag, a position Mchedlidze has often been used at to good effect in the past.

Montpellier prop Mikheil Nariashvili is included having appeared for the Barbarians this past weekend against England, and a trio of forwards will join the team directly from the Top 14 final set to be played on Saturday. Toulon front rowers Shalva Mamukashvili and Levan Chilachava will travel with Clermont flanker Vito Kolelishvili following completion of the game.

FORWARDS
Karlen Asieshvili (Brive, FR), Tornike Mataradze (Lyon, FR), Mikheil Nariashvili (Montpellier, FR), Badri Alkhazashvili (Toulon, FR), Jaba Bregvadze (Worcester Warriors, UK), Shalva Mamukashvili (Toulon, FR), Soso Bekoshvili (Brive, FR), Levan Chilachava (Toulon, FR), Anton Peikrishvili (Cardiff Blues, UK), Nodar Cheishvili (Lelo Saracens), Giorgi Chkhaidze (Domont, FR), Kote Mikautadze (Montpellier, FR), Giorgi Nemsadze (Bristol, UK), Beka Bitsadze (Chambéry, FR), Otar Giorgadze (Clermont Auvergne, FR), Vito Kolelishvili (Clermont Auvergne, FR), Lasha Lomidze (Krasny Yar, RU), Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (Batumi), Giorgi Tsutskiridze (Brive, FR)

BACKS
Giorgi Begadze (Kochebi), Vazha Khutsishvili (Lokomotivi), Vaso Lobzhanidze (Brive, FR), Rezi Jinchvelashvili (Aia), Lasha Khmaladze (Lelo Saracens), Lasha Malaguradze (Krasny Yar, RU), Davit Kacharava (Enisei STM, RU), Giorgi Koshadze (Kharebi), Merab Sharikadze (Aurillac, FR), Soso Matiashvili (Akademia), Tamaz Mchedlidze (Agen, FR), Sandro Todua (Lelo Saracens), Merab Kvirikashvili (Lelo Saracens), Beka Tsiklauri (Lokomotivi)